mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Childminders
When can childminders reopen to more children?
To align with the government’s position on nannies, we are updating our
guidance for early years settings to confirm that paid childcare can be
provided to the children of one household from Wednesday 13 May 2020. This
includes childminders, who may choose to look after the children of one
household, if they are not already looking after vulnerable children or those
of critical workers. From 1 June 2020, childminders can look after children of
all ages, in line with their current Ofsted registration, and within usual
limits on the number of children they can care for
To align with the government’s position on nannies, we are updating our
guidance for early years settings to confirm that paid childcare can be
provided to the children of one household from Wednesday 13 May 2020. This
includes childminders, who may choose to look after the children of one
household if they are not already looking after vulnerable children or those
of critical workers. From 1 June 2020, childminders can look after children of
all ages, in line with their current Ofsted registration, and within usual
limits on the number of children they can care for.
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Ofsted
What is Ofsted doing about unregistered provision?
Ofsted is aware that these are extremely worrying times for both settings and
parents. However, the health, safety and well-being of children is our first
consideration, and government continues to expect childcare to take place only
within registered settings.
Ofsted will consider legal enforcement action against those who set up
unregistered childcare, in line with their duties as a regulator. This is in
order to keep children as safe as possible in these difficult times.
See Ofsted’s response to coronavirus
(COVID-19) for more information.
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Early Years Foundation Stage
Can settings vary staff to child ratios and qualifications?
Paragraph 3.30 of the EYFS states:
‘Exceptionally, and where the quality of care and safety and security of
children is maintained, changes to the ratios may be made.’
We consider the extent of the coronavirus outbreak to be an exceptional
temporary circumstance in which the staff to child ratios set out in the EYFS
can be changed if necessary. However, childcare settings or schools remain
responsible for ensuring the safety and security of children in their care.
Amendments made to regulations from 24 April allow further exceptions to be
made to the qualification level that staff hold in order to be counted in the
ratio requirements. Settings should use reasonable endeavours to ensure that
at least half of staff (excluding the manager) hold at least a full and
relevant level 2 qualification to meet staff to child ratio requirements, but
this is not a legal requirement.
In nursery classes in maintained schools, caring for children aged 3 and over,
reasonable endeavours should be used to ensure that at least one member of
staff is a school teacher. Where this is not possible, there must be at least
one member of staff for every 8 children, with at least one member of staff
who holds at least a full and relevant level 3 qualification. Providers should
use their reasonable endeavours to ensure that at least half of other staff
hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification.
Further detail is set out in Early Years Foundation Stage: disapplications
and modifications for early years provision open during the coronavirus
(COVID-19) outbreak.
*[EYFS]: early years foundation stage
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Considerations for settings that are open during this period
What are the expectations on settings regarding staying in touch with parents whose child is at home?
We recognise that many settings have already shared resources for children who
are at home and are grateful for this. We encourage them to continue working
with parents to ensure children can continue to learn at home.
The Department for Education’s Hungry Little
Minds campaign features tips and
practical activities that parents can do at home with children to support
their early learning. There are many simple ways to help children learn and it
does not have to feel like ‘learning’. Having everyday conversations, make-
believe play and reading together all make a big difference to children’s
development. Settings can also direct parents to the BBC’s Tiny Happy
People.
Settings should work with local authorities to monitor the welfare of
vulnerable children who are not attending provision, and other children they
might wish to keep in touch with, for safeguarding purposes.
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Childminders
Can childminders get involved in supporting the continuation of provision for priority children?
To align with the government’s position on nannies, we are updating our
guidance for early years settings to confirm that paid childcare can be
provided to the children of one household from Wednesday 13 May 2020. This
includes childminders, who may choose to look after the children of one
household, if they are not already looking after vulnerable children or those
of critical workers. From 1 June 2020, childminders can look after children of
all ages, in line with their current Ofsted registration, and within usual
limits on the number of children they can care for
Childminders can continue to look after vulnerable children and children of
critical workers.
In addition, under existing registration arrangements, childminders can work
for up to 50% of the time on non-domestic premises.
Childminders who do not already have approval to work up to 50% of their time
on non-domestic premises will need to seek approval from Ofsted, after seeking
initial support from their local authority. If childminders have the capacity,
and there is a local need, they could help support with staff shortages in
centre-based childcare provision.
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Considerations for settings that are open during this period
Are early years and childcare settings opening on the 25 May 2020 bank holiday?
Early years and childcare settings should decide, in consultation with the
parents of children who are currently attending settings, whether it is
necessary for them to continue to look after critical workers’ children and
vulnerable children on Monday 25 May 2020.
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Funding
What additional business support is available to childcare settings during this period of disruption?
The government has announced a package of
support for workers and
businesses which will benefit childcare settings.

the Chancellor has announced that private childcare settings will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year - that means non-local authority providers of childcare (registered with Ofsted and providing EYFS) will pay no business rates in 2020 to 2021
nurseries in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief will benefit from small business grant funding of £10,000
nurseries, which were already eligible for a charitable status relief, will also pay no business rates at all in 2020 to 2021
some settings operate from shared spaces which may now benefit from a 100% rates relief. We strongly encourage those shared spaces to reflect any business rates saving in their rent charges
the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme means that, for employees who are not working but kept on payroll, the government will contribute 80% of each worker’s wages of up to £2,500, backdated to 1 March 2020. Further guidance provides details on how early years providers with a mixture of public and private funding should access the scheme
the Self-employment Income Support Scheme for those who are self-employed or members of a partnership and have lost profits due to coronavirus. The scheme allows individuals to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for 3 months. HMRC will contact individuals who are eligible and invite them to apply online
for the self-employed (including childminders), the minimum income floor will also be temporarily relaxed, meaning Universal Credit can be accessed at a rate to match statutory sick pay (SSP)
the Business Interruption Loan Scheme will now be interest-free for 12 months, an increase from 6
VAT payments due with VAT returns between now and the end June 2020 will be deferred. UK VAT registered businesses will not need make those payments until March 2021
the Secretary of State for Business announced on 28 March 2020 that he will make changes to enable UK companies undergoing a rescue or restructure process to continue trading to help them avoid insolvency. This includes temporarily suspending wrongful trading provisions retrospectively from 1 March 2020 for 3 months for company directors so they can keep their business going without the threat of personal liability
working tax credit has been increased by £1,000 a year
the government has also announced a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and an increase in the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents

*[EYFS]: early years foundation stage
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Considerations for settings that are open during this period
Do early years and childcare settings need personal protective equipment (PPE)?
The majority of staff in education settings will not require PPE beyond what
they would normally need for their work, even if they are not always able to
maintain a distance of 2 metres from others. PPE is only needed in a very
small number of cases including:

children, young people and students whose care routinely already involves the use of PPE due to their intimate care needs should continue to receive their care in the same way
if a child, young person, or other learner, becomes unwell with symptoms of coronavirus while in their setting and needs direct personal care until they can return home. A face mask should be worn by the supervising adult if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained. If contact with the child or young person is necessary, then gloves, an apron and a face mask should be worn by the supervising adult. If a risk assessment determines that there is a risk of splashing to the eyes, for example from coughing, spitting, or vomiting, then eye protection should also be worn

Read further guidance on safe working in
settings.
*[PPE]: personal protective equipment
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Responsibilities
What are childcare settings responsible for?
Childcare settings are responsible for safeguarding and caring for children
who attend the settings as set out in the early years foundation stage
statutory (EYFS) framework and Working together to safeguard
children.
At this time, settings should try to remain open to care for children who are
vulnerable or whose parents are critical to the coronavirus response. However,
we understand that it may not be possible for all settings to remain open at
this time. Childcare settings should work with local authorities to agree the
provision needed locally to support the needs identified. Settings should take
steps to prepare for welcoming back more children from 1 June 2020, including
to reopen if they had previously closed.
*[EYFS]: early years foundation stage
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Early Years Foundation Stage
Do settings need to meet the learning and development requirements in sections 1 and 2 of the EYFS?
Following the amendments to the EYFS from 24 April, early years settings only
need to use reasonable endeavours to deliver the learning and development
requirements set out in the EYFS. We understand that these are exceptional
circumstances and the priority at this time is keeping children safe and well
cared for. As far as possible, children should also benefit from a broad range
of educational opportunities.
*[EYFS]: early years foundation stage
Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Considerations for settings that are open during this period
Will it be mandatory for all registered childcare settings to remain open in some form?
We understand that some settings may be unable to stay open, especially if
they are experiencing severe staff shortages due to self-isolation and
sickness. Local authorities will work with local settings to determine the
best way to ensure sufficient childcare for vulnerable children and the
children of critical workers.
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
Preparing for the wider opening of education settings from 1 June
Can schools operate a staggered return or a rota system for pupils returning from 1 June?
Schools should not plan on the basis of a rota system for pupils returning
from 1 June, either daily or weekly. We are asking schools to welcome back
eligible pupils full-time, and do not expect schools to implement flexible
approaches, such as rota systems.
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What arrangements should schools and local authorities maintain throughout the remainder of May?
Schools and early years settings in some areas are operating in ‘hubs’ - for example, groups of schools/settings operating at a single site. Is this permitted?
We are asking schools to remain open for children of critical workers and
vulnerable children where they can, but we understand that some may be unable
to do so especially if they are experiencing severe staff shortages.
Local authorities should therefore work with maintained, academy and
independent schools to identify temporary places for any children affected
whilst their normal schools are closed.
With significantly reduced pupil numbers, and risks of understaffing due to
illness, we understand that shared provision through multi-school or early
years hubs and clusters is an option being considered in some areas. In some
cases, arrangements are already in place.
Please see guidance on Using clusters and hubs to maintain provision in
educational settings.
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What arrangements should schools and local authorities maintain throughout the remainder of May?
Do schools which remain open have to accept temporary attendees?
We are asking schools to remain open for children of critical workers and
vulnerable children where they can, but we understand that some may be unable
to do so especially if they are experiencing severe staff shortages.
Local authorities should therefore work with maintained, academy and
independent schools to identify temporary places for any children affected
whilst their normal schools are closed.
We encourage schools which remain open for their own registered pupils who are
vulnerable or the children of critical workers to support the country’s
response to the coronavirus outbreak by also providing temporary education and
care for children whose own schools are closed.
We have used legal powers to modify the definition of ‘pupil’ in law for such
children in relation to registration requirements. This means there is no
expectation that they will remain permanently at any school they attend
temporarily because of measures taken in response to coronavirus.
Schools should not apply their admission arrangements in temporarily offering
places to such children and they should not register them as pupils. These
children should return to their normal school as soon as it reopens.
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What arrangements should schools and local authorities maintain throughout the remainder of May?
If education and care for vulnerable children, and the children of critical workers is being provided by a school or setting that is not the child’s normal school or setting, where should they be registered?
We are asking schools to remain open for children of critical workers and
vulnerable children where they can, but we understand that some may be unable
to do so especially if they are experiencing severe staff shortages.
Local authorities should therefore work with maintained, academy and
independent schools to identify temporary places for any children affected
whilst their normal schools are closed.
Where another school provides education and care for vulnerable children and
the children of critical workers whilst their normal school is temporarily
closed because of coronavirus,these children should not be registered as
pupils. We have used powers to temporarily relax the requirement to register
them. These children should return to their
normal school once it reopens.
Children that temporarily attend another school are still considered as pupils
at the host school for all other purposes other than registration. Host
schools do not have to apply their normal admission policies in order to
educate and care for these children, on a temporary basis, alongside their
registered pupils.
However, they will still need to fulfil their safeguarding, medical, special
educational needs (SEN), and other duties in relation to these children.
Schools will not be able to charge for the education of these children and
will be able to apply their normal behaviour policy.
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
Prioritising pupils
Is it necessary to prioritise children?
The first aim of the partial school closure measures was to reduce the overall
population of children moving around local areas, in order to further reduce
the number of social interactions, and thus flatten the upward curve of the
coronavirus outbreak.
However, the second aim was to continue to care for children whose parents are
critical to the coronavirus response, so that they can continue to work where
alternative childcare arrangements cannot be made, and for children who are
vulnerable.
Now that we have made progress in reducing the transmission of coronavirus we
are encouraging all eligible children to attend – it is no longer necessary
for parents of eligible children to keep them at home if they can. These
priority groups remain eligible to attend as schools open to more students.
In the first phases of wider opening, we will prioritise younger children, for
several reasons. Firstly, because there is moderately high scientific
confidence in evidence suggesting younger children are less likely to become
unwell if infected with coronavirus; and secondly because evidence shows the
particularly detrimental impact which time spent out of education can have
upon them.
The three year groups within mainstream primary have been prioritised because
they are key transition years – children in Reception and year 1 are at the
very beginning of their school career and are mastering the essential basics,
including counting and the fundamentals of reading and writing, and learning
to socialise with their peers. We know that attending early education lays the
foundation for lifelong learning and supports children’s social and emotional
development. Year 6 children are finishing Key Stage 2 and are preparing for
the transition to secondary school, and will benefit immensely from time with
their friends and teachers to ensure they are ready.
From 1 June, as more children return to schools, we appreciate that each
setting’s circumstances will be slightly different. Any setting that cannot
achieve the small groups recommended as part of the protective measures
guidance should discuss options with their local authority or
trust. If necessary, settings have the flexibility to focus first on
continuing to provide places for priority groups and then, to support
children’s early learning, settings should prioritise groups of children as
follows:

early years settings - 3 and 4 year olds followed by younger age groups
infant schools - nursery (where applicable) and Reception
primary schools - nursery (where applicable), Reception and year 1
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What arrangements should schools and local authorities maintain throughout the remainder of May?
What is expected of schools in terms of opening hours?
We are asking schools to remain open for children of critical workers and
vulnerable children where they can, but we understand that some may be unable
to do so especially if they are experiencing severe staff shortages.
Local authorities should therefore work with maintained, academy and
independent schools to identify temporary places for any children affected
whilst their normal schools are closed.
We expect schools to operate for their normal hours. Where possible, we would
encourage breakfast club and after school provision, to help support the
children of workers critical to the coronavirus response.
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What arrangements should schools and local authorities maintain throughout the remainder of May?
If children are attending an alternative setting, will transport be provided?
We are asking schools to remain open for children of critical workers and
vulnerable children where they can, but we understand that some may be unable
to do so especially if they are experiencing severe staff shortages.
Local authorities should therefore work with maintained, academy and
independent schools to identify temporary places for any children affected
whilst their normal schools are closed.
Home to school transport provided or organised by schools, trusts or local
authorities varies widely. Schools, trusts and local authorities should work
together and with relevant transport providers to put in place arrangements
which fit the local circumstances, including the measures being put in place
to reduce contact.
Guidance Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
Prioritising pupils
What are our expectations regarding vulnerable children and young people attending educational settings?
Vulnerable children and young people’s attendance is expected, where it is
appropriate for them (i.e. where there are no shielding concerns for the child
or their household, and/or following a risk assessment for children with an
EHC plan), so that they can gain the educational and wellbeing benefits of
attending. Vulnerable children and young people – regardless of year group –
that have not been attending in the recent period are expected to return to
school where this would now be appropriate for them to do so. A brief summary
of attendance expectations across the different groups of vulnerable children
and young people is as follows:

for vulnerable children and young people who have a social worker, attendance is expected unless the child/household is shielding or clinically vulnerable (see the advice set out by Public Health England on households with possible coronavirus infection, and shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable).
for vulnerable children and young people who have an education health and care (EHC) plan, attendance is expected where it is determined, following risk assessment, that their needs can be as safely or more safely met in the educational environment. Read further guidance on temporary Changes to education, health and care (EHC) needs and assessments
for vulnerable children and young people who are deemed otherwise vulnerable, at the school, college or local authority discretion, attendance is expected unless the child/household is shielding or clinically vulnerable (see the advice set out by Public Health England on households with possible coronavirus infection, and shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable).

*[EHC]: Education, Health and Care