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Experts slam Government guidance on ‘rushed return’ to nursery and school

Coronavirus Policy & Politics Provision
More than 30 early years experts, parent groups, and sector organisations have criticised the Department for Education’s guidance on reopening early years settings and schools, saying it does not provide a safe return for children and threatens their wellbeing and education.
Education experts have criticised the Government's plans for opening schools and early years setting to more children
Education experts have criticised the Government's plans for opening schools and early years setting to more children

They advocate waiting until September for more children to return, if the public health advice allows, rather than ‘a rushed return’ from 1 June.

The prime minister is expected to confirm at this afternoon's press conference that early years settings and primary schools can open to more children from Monday, after telling them at the weekend to press ahead with plans to welcome more children back in a phased return, as the lockdown eases.

The experts say that the guidance is not just inadequate in addressing safeguarding for children and staff, but also fails ‘to consider the value or otherwise to the children of rushing them into a new and uncharted scenario with major implications for their education and wellbeing.’

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