As I write this, shortly before Nursery World’s June issue goes off to press, it is still not confirmed whether schools and nurseries will be expected to open to more children from 1 June, although all the signs from government are pointing in that direction.
One thing is certain though – this is one of the most difficult decisions that most settings will ever have to make. Weighing up the risks, the organisation and logistics, the best interests of children, families and staff, and the financial implications that either way could mean operating at a loss is a complex and troubling process, as our news analysis on pages 6-7 shows.
As usual, the majority of the political discussion has been about schools, with the early years sector hardly mentioned (except in the context of one Dominic Cummings’ childcare ‘problems’!).
Schools have been promised money for the extra costs of wider opening, such as PPE and deep cleaning, but not nurseries and childminders.
It is heartening that the Local Government Association has now called strongly for more funding for early years providers, as councils can see that struggling settings, starved of parents’ fees, may go to the wall.
Nevertheless, some early years providers are very positive about wider opening, particularly nursery groups. Smaller, independent settings are warier for a range of reasons, not least feeling they lack proper support. Detailed guidance from the DfE only came out over bank holiday weekend, and there are many questions still to be answered.
Opening up the childcare sector needs very careful management and to be done as safely as possible. But while the soft toys, cushions, comforters from home, and even the sand, may not be in evidence, the hugs and cuddles for children will surely have to be.