While primary schools in some areas of the country where coronavirus infection rates are high have been told to stay closed to all but key worker children and vulnerable children as of today (4 January), early years providers have been advised to stay open.
The Early Years Alliance has written to education secretary Gavin Williamson and children and families minister Vicky Ford to criticise the omission of the early years sector from the debate.
In the letter, Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch, says, ‘Early years providers have been on the frontline through this crisis. They have put themselves, and their loved ones, at risk to do what the Government has asked and provide vital care and education to the children and families that need it. It cannot be that nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are treated as education providers when they are needed by the Government, and dismissed as private businesses who have to fend for themselves when they are not.
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