Catherine Gaunt

Early years staff will be able to move in and out of temporary paid leave during the Covid-19 crisis
News

Updated furlough guidance gives flexibility for nurseries to rotate staff

Coronavirus
Children's minister Maree Todd on an earlier visit to a nursery
News

Scotland puts childcare expansion on hold

Policy & Politics
PACEY has launched a survey for childcare providers examining the impact of forced closure
News

Coronavirus: Childminders will be covered under the scheme to support self-employed

Policy & Politics
Of those that have closed their setting, 46 per cent said they plan to reopen within three months to a year
News

Coronavirus: Nearly half of childminders could stay closed for up to a year

Provision
Childminder numbers have been falling since 2015
News

Ofsted figures show ongoing fall in childminders - but childcare places stable

Provision
The DfE has published guidance for early years settings on Covid-19
News

DfE publishes guidance for early years settings on coronavirus

Policy & Politics
Some local authorities have already closed children's play areas to avoid Covid-19 spreading between children
News

Playgrounds and parks face closure, as people ignore social distancing

Families
Early years settings should only be open for children of key workers and vulnerable children
News

Coronavirus: Plea for nurseries and schools to limit places as settings close

Coronavirus
Nurseries and schools will be expected to stay open to provide care for the children of key workers, and vulnerable children
News

Nurseries expected to stay open for key workers from Monday

Coronavirus
All nurseries in England will be exempt from business rates for 12 months from 1 April 2020
News

Nurseries to be exempt from business rates, as Government brings in powers to close or keep them open

Policy & Politics
Families on free school meals will be sent vouchers to use in supermarkets and food shops
News

Coronavirus: Families on free school meals will be sent vouchers during school closures

Policy & Politics
Nurseries are warning the Government that without specific support, such as exemption from business rates, they will not be able to stay open to help families during the coronavirus crisis
News

Childcare sector slams Government for 'ignoring' them in coronavirus crisis

Provision
The Government has yet to confirm that any schools will close
News

Coronavirus: Ofsted suspends routine inspections and teaching union calls for school closures

Coronavirus
More than one in four early years settings were actively recruiting for a total of 14,700 vacancies
News

Early years staffing under increasing strain

Careers & Training
Moderate use of tablets, smart phones and computers is appropriate for five-year-olds, the OECD study said
News

Using smartphones and tablets helps to develop early literacy

Early Years Curriculum
More than 80 per cent of parents receiving childcare support through universal credit are single mothers
News

Universal credit childcare rules could discriminate against women

Families