Nursery World broke the news last night that the Department for Education has clarified to us that childminders can provide ‘paid childcare’ from Wednesday 13 May, as part of the Government’s drive to get people back to work.
As we reported yesterday, two separate Government guidance documents published on Monday had provided contradictory advice on return to work dates for childminders, with the prime minister’s roadmap stating 13 May, while Department for Education guidance released later the same day, stating that childminders and early years settings could open to more children from 1 June.
Asked for clarification by Nursery World, a DfE spokesperson confirmed, ‘In line with the prime minister’s drive to get more people back into work where possible and to align with the Government’s position on nannies, we are updating our guidance for early years settings to be clear that paid childcare can be provided to the children of one household from Wednesday 13 May.
‘This includes childminders who may choose to look after the children of one household, if they are not already looking after vulnerable children or children of critical workers.’
There is no limit to the number or age of children that childminders can care for, but children must be from the same household. Those childminders currently caring for keyworker and vulnerable children can continue to do so, but should not offer places to other families until 1 June.
The DfE said it would be updating its early years guidance to reflect this.
Childminder and early years trainer Rebecca Martland (right) said, ‘I am completely appalled that Government think this is in any way acceptable. Childminders not currently open cannot suddenly re-open with less than 24 hours’ notice - they need to put safety measures in place, rewrite policies and procedures, send out revised contracts, organise resources, consult with parents etc. This is a farce. I'm semi-convinced the DfE have only said this because they messed up in the initial guidance but don't want to admit they were wrong. This way it implies it was just a misinterpretation.’
Childminder Lisa Walters said, 'Absolutely ridiculous, it’s an absolute joke. I am exhausted from trying to keep up with different updates and feedback to the families I care for and they change the goal posts almost hourly. So many childminders are going to end up leaving due to the incompetence and stress caused.
'I have told all my parents 1 June at the earliest after DfE and my insurance yesterday confirmed this was the case. How can they now change that? It makes us look stupid. Plus I haven’t the energy to keep up with it all anymore. I can’t be the only one feeling this way.'
Leanne Conroy said, ‘Sounds to me like the Government haven’t a clue what they are doing! And until they do, I am not playing Russian roulette with my own family. Utterly disgusted at the lack of thought and organisation that’s gone into this!’
Other comments pointed out the inherent contradictions in being told to care for other children, while family members are not permitted to see each other.
Clair Wainman Garden said, ‘It's crazy I've looked after my great nephew twice a week for the last two years while his parents are at work, now they are saying I still can’t see him, but you can pay a childminder to look after him.’
Mike Hunter said, ‘Perfect excuse for them to see family or grandkids then! “I’m childminding them” Sorry but did I miss something? Not allowed family contact or go near our grandkids cos of social distancing or family members’ yet childminders can look after children from “one household”, well I’ll just “look after my grandchildren then” is what a high percentage will do! Sorry but shocking.’
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said, ‘This is already an incredibly difficult and stressful time for early years providers, and they have frankly had enough of last-minute, contradictory guidance from the government.
‘Childminders have been told three different things about plans to reopen in a matter of days. To inform them that they are able to open for children from a single household with less than a day's notice is simply not acceptable.
‘Given that childminders operate from their own homes, providing care during this period poses unique challenges for them and many will need support and guidance to feel able to do so safely. As such, it's time that Government stopped acting as though childminders are an afterthought, recognised that they are a fundamental part of the early years sector and started treating them as such.’
The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years said that childminders were stuck between ‘a rock and a hard place’ and that while they could take steps to reduce risk, many may not want to, or be able to, re-open yet.
Chief executive Liz Bayram said, ‘Whether they open now or in June, they are struggling to decide not only if it is financially viable to re-open with what is likely to be reduced demand from parents but whether they can do so without placing their own families at too greater risk. The mixed messages and confusion from Government make this all the more difficult to decide, especially when told you can still not mix with family members, but you can bring minded children into your own home.
‘There is still much more to do in terms of supporting childminders as well as other pre-schools and nurseries to prepare their services for what is a new operating environment and to reassure parents too. Government not only needs to work with us and other sector bodies to do this but to understand its guidance recognises the nuances of different childcare types.
‘Many are telling us they will make a decision in September, depending on the number of new families asking for places. This means Government also has to be clear what financial support will be available to both settings that reopen with less children than they normally care for as well as settings that remain closed because they are protecting family members, can’t easily adapt to these operating requirements, or have limited demand for childcare places.’