In the roadmap, that Prime Minister Boris Johnson described in the House of Commons as ‘cautious but irreversible’ and a ‘one way to freedom’, he also outlined that parent and child groups will be permitted to take place outdoors from 29 March.
There will be a limit of 15 attendees but children under the age of five-years-old do not count towards this limit. It is aimed that these groups will then be allowed to start operating indoors from 12 April at the earliest.
While the Prime Minister stated that the first phase of the Covid vaccination rollout, focused on protecting the nine groups deemed to be most vulnerable to serious illness or death, by 15 April, he did not provide information on how the second phase will be prioritised. Early years organisations continue to call for early years workers to be given vaccinations as an urgent priority.
The Department for Education has updated the Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak guidance. Main changes include:
Face coverings: Previously it was said that settings have the ‘discretion’ to recommend the use of face coverings for adults. This has been changed to, ’We recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and adult visitors in situations where social distancing between adults is not possible.’
Clinically extremely vulnerable staff: ‘Current DHSC guidance, informed by PHE, advises that CEV individuals should continue to shield even after they have been vaccinated.’ It states that this advice may change as further data is gathered on the effects of vaccination.
Pregnant staff: ‘If you are notified that an employee is pregnant, breastfeeding, or has given birth within the last six months, you should check the workplace risk assessment to see if any new risks have arisen. An assessment may help identify any additional action that needs to be taken to mitigate risks. Any risks identified at that point, or later during the pregnancy, in the first six months after birth, or while the employee is still breastfeeding, must be included and managed as part of the general workplace risk assessment. You must take appropriate sensible action to reduce, remove or control the risks.’
Students: It states that students completing Level 2 or 3 qualifications, including the T Level in Education and Childcare, and early years initial teacher training trainees, are included in the definition of critical workers. ‘This means that students and trainees can continue to go into their early years setting on placement.’
The guidance also highlights that PVI settings that offer placements may be able to apply for a £1,000 financial incentive to help with the cost of the placement until 31 July 2021, not including T level placements.
Organised music and singing: If staff need to move between groups of children, they should try to distance from other adults, ideally two metres.
External groups: Settings can work with external coaches, clubs and organisations for curricular and extra-curricular activities if they are satisfied that it is safe to do so.
Volunteers: ‘Mixing of volunteers across groups should be kept to a minimum, and they adhere to the systems of controls in place.’
Vulnerable children: A new section has been added on the absence of vulnerable children.
Mental health: There are now references to the responsibility of settings to support staff mental health.