Preparing for wider opening of early years settings from 1 June - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Foundation Years Vodcast: Preparing for wider opening of early years settings from 1 June ncb.org.uk

Overview Chair : Matthew Dodd, National Children’s Bureau Host : Ada Simpson, Department for Education ncb.org.uk

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Aims and objectives Our aims: § Share the latest information and guidance on supporting early years providers to prepare for opening to all children, aged 0-5, from 1 June in England. § Address key questions from stakeholders. By the end of the vodcast viewers will: § Have a greater understanding of the guidance at this point in time, and the steps that settings should consider while preparing to open to more children. § Know where to go for further information. 4

Who is this for? § All early years providers in England : maintained schools; non-maintained schools; independent schools (including free schools and academies); all providers on Ofsted’s Early Years Register; and all providers registered with an early years childminder agency (CMA). The vodcast may also be of interest to parents/carers and local authorities . § It should be viewed alongside the guidance documents summarised in these slides. These documents and the advice for early years providers are subject to change based on the best, latest scientific and medical advice available. 5

Introduction § Since 23 March, education and childcare settings have only been open to priority groups (vulnerable children and children of critical workers). § On 10 May, the Prime Minister announced that education and childcare settings will be asked to open to more children from 1 June, provided that the 5 key tests set by government justify the changes at the time. As part of this phased wider opening, all early years providers are being asked to prepare § to open to all children aged 0-5 from 1 June. Primary schools are being asked to welcome back children in nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6. Vulnerable children and critical workers' children of all ages can continue to attend. § As of 13 May, childminders can provide care to the children of one household, as long as they are not already caring for vulnerable children or children of critical workers. From 1 June, childminders can look after children of all ages, in line with their current Ofsted registration and within usual limits on the number of children they can care for. 6

Guidance § Guidance on the wider opening of education and childcare settings should be viewed within the context of the government’s overarching COVID-19 recovery strategy, which sets out a roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis through the phased lifting of restrictions. § The next slide highlights key pieces of guidance applicable to early years providers during the coronavirus outbreak period. These are subject to change as the scientific and medical advice changes and the government's coronavirus response measures change. § There are 3 main documents we are particularly encouraging early years providers to familiarise themselves with at this point to support reopening: • Early years Planning Guide • Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings • Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak 7

Cross-cutting guidance – in blue Summary of DfE coronavirus guidance documents relevant for the early years sector EY specific guidance – in yellow Safe working in education, childcare and Coronavirus: implementing protective children’s social care Actions for education and childcare settings measures in education and childcare settings • More detailed information on ‘hierarchy of controls’ to prepare for wider opening from 1 June • Overview of effective infection protection and control that should be employed to reduce the risk of 2020 including ‘hierarchy of controls’. transmission or infection e.g. respiratory hygiene. Sets out re-opening plans from 1 June across the • Outline of the use of PPE in education settings i.e. • Information on testing. education and childcare sector. only needed in a small number of specific cases. • More detailed information on PPE including what • Includes who can attend and principles that apply • Position on shielding for different groups, including type of PPE is required for different circumstances during first phase of re-opening. clinically vulnerable children and young people. e.g. in residential settings, foster care, transporting • Provides an outline of what the latest science tells • Position on class or group sizes for different types of children etc. us. education settings as well as a steer on prioritisation of • Section on what care should be taken in early years • Outlines key issues that need to be considered groups. settings and whether PPE is required for tasks when managing the risk and rate of transmission • Information on how to implement protective measures involving changing nappies or general care for including group sizes, staff availability and prior to wider opening from 1 June – including babies. attendance. planning and communicating plans as well as steps to • Lines on how to care for young children or children take once open. with SEN who do not understand the concept of • Additional Q&As including on testing, contact tracing social distancing. and temperature checking. • Information on disposing of PPE and face coverings. Actions for early years and childcare Early years foundation stage: coronavirus Early years planning guide disapplications providers during the coronavirus outbreak • Outline of practical steps and considerations to take • First published on 24 March 2020. Statutory guidance note detailing the elements of the early into account for settings to prepare for wider • For all early years providers in England registered years statutory framework which have been temporarily opening from 1 June. disapplied and modified during the coronavirus outbreak. with Ofsted and childminders registered with • Sets out the protective measures and approaches childminder agencies for children of all ages • The changes allow providers greater flexibility to early years settings should look to implement. respond to changes in workforce availability and including nurseries and wraparound childcare, • Covers preparing premises, reviewing staff before and after school clubs and holiday clubs. potential fluctuations in demand whilst still providing availability, measures to reduce risk of • Does not cover nannies or au pairs. high quality care. transmission, communicating with staff, parents and • Temporary changes came into force on 24 April 2020. • Includes information on re-opening for early years carers on plans, planning 'small, consistent groups’ settings, funding including CJRS and temporary • Modifications include using ‘reasonable endeavours’ to to reduce contact between groups children and meet existing L&D requirements, no EYFS profile changes to 30 hours free early education staff, signposting safeguarding and SEND entitlements, Ofsted, data collection, early years assessment in 2020. greater flexibility on staff requirements as well as EYFS considerations. foundation stage and a section on childminders. qualifications, and important 'best endeavours' requirements on paediatric first aid certification.

Key principles for reopening The approach to reopening is underpinned by a number of overarching aims and principles: § We want to get all children and young people back into education as soon as the scientific advice allows. Younger children are being prioritised because evidence shows the particularly detrimental impact which time spent out of early education can have upon them. § As settings prepare to open more widely, we are asking them to look at how they can implement a range of protective measures including small, consistent group sizes or ‘bubbles’, regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, frequent hand cleaning and encouraging good respiratory hygiene practices, and minimising contact between different groups of staff and children. § In early years settings, demand may be lower than usual at first, and existing space requirements and staff to child ratios for these age groups should allow for small group working. § Vulnerable children and critical worker children of all ages continue to be encouraged to attend educational provision where it is appropriate for them to do so. 9