This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Service Lead for Early Years and Prevention, Michael Jarrett, for the attention of the Early Years Sector.
Please find below communications from the Early Years and Prevention Service to keep you informed of various different initiatives and government updates for 13/05/2020. We hope you find this informative and if you have any suggestions about content please contact us on earlyyears@slough.gov.uk
It is important to keep in contact with families during this time, so please share this information across all of your contacts.
New Government Updates for 12/05/2020 & 13/05/2020
Department for Education published guidance following Sunday’s Prime Ministerial announcement that they are asking education and childcare settings to open to more children from 1 June, provided that the 5 key tests set by government justify the changes at the time, including that the rate of infection is decreasing and the enabling programmes set out in Government’s roadmap are operating effectively.
Speaking in parliament on 12/05/2020, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Government expects all children to be able to return to early years settings (including childminders) from 1 June. Further guidance has now been published as follows:
Please note the following update on childminder policy, clarifying the Government’s confirmed position is now as below, and effective from 13/05/2020:
The Government has amended its guidance to clarify that paid childcare can be provided to the children of one household in any circumstance. This would include nannies, for example, and childminders may also choose to provide childcare on this basis if not already providing care for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. This should enable more working parents to return to work. It is already the case that registered childminders and nurseries can look after key worker and vulnerable children.
A reminder of the links to the guidance documents published yesterday, which set out that - subject to conditions - childminders and all early years settings can open to all children from 1 June.
- Press Notice
- Actions for Educational and Childcare Settings
- Implementing Protective Measures in Education Childcare Settings
- Information for Parents and Carers
Chancellor Extends Furlough Scheme until October
The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, the Chancellor announced today (Tuesday 12 May 2020).
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-until-october
COVID-19 | Cleaning in Non-Healthcare Settings
Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Guidance for Educational Settings
This guidance is applicable to 31 May 2020 and will be reviewed before 1 June 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
Ofsted | COVID-19 Rolling Update
Ofsted guidance and information relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19) for schools, early years, children's social care and further education and skills providers is available here.
Support for Parents
We understand this is a challenging time for parents too, many of whom are now supporting their children’s learning at home or may have questions about their children potentially returning to school.
We have developed the following guidance and resources for parents to support them at this time:
- Q&A which answers key questions parents may have
- Guidance for parents on supporting learning at home for early years and primary age children (secondary school guidance to follow)
- List of online resources to support children’s development
Please do share these with parents if helpful.
Keeping in Touch and Targeted Support for Early Years Settings
During this unfamiliar time the team would like you to know that we are here to offer you support, in whatever way you may need it? We are on the other end of the phone or email and will continue to provide you with daily email updates. Even if you are currently closed the team can offer a range of support from discussing government guidance documents to reviewing local area initiatives.
We understand that this is a difficult period for everyone and in these uncertain times it can often help to share concerns, questions and queries with others, so please do keep in contact and pick up the phone anytime for a catch up.
You can email and call individual members of the team or for general enquiries contact earlyyears@slough.gov.uk or call 01753 476554.
If your setting is currently still open and are considering closure please discuss with the Early Years Service and for further information, advice or guidance please contact the team on 01753 476554 or email earlyyears@slough.gov.uk.