This document was produced by Alison Featherbe EYFS Specialist for Inspiring Nurseries www.orangecaterpillar.co.uk alison@orangecaterpillar.co.uk @allyfeatherbe - Twitter
Key working parents • The guidance that came out on the 19 th March was where we first heard this term, the term now being used is ‘critical workers’. • A critical workers will fall into the critical categories stated in this document. One parent can qualify. • Critical workers will already have confirmed with their employer that their specific role is necessary as part of the general coronavirus response and obtained a letter for childcare and schools should proof be required.
Key working parents • Children who are vulnerable, and children whose parents are critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) should be able to access a place • ONLY if the critical workers absolutely need the place should places be used. This is to limit the number of children in places. It is not compulsory for them to take up the place. There is an expectation for vulnerable children to attend
Open or closed – the issues • The government want and need as many providers as possible to stay open for eligible children. • This may not be possible for all settings and the local authority or borough should coordinate with providers so that children are able to access provision elsewhere. You will be expected to work together in this instance. There will be a demand for places and / or severe staff shortages. • If you are open, you cannot accept other children who are not vulnerable or whose parents are critical workers • Consider the numbers of children you have to ensure staff and children stay safe. Be flexible as you move forward • You don’t have to close and you don’t have to stay open
Opening Hours • All childcare providers are being asked to continue to provide care for their parents who are critical workers or vulnerable children. • Should providers open for longer to care for the children of critical workers? Providers should try to be as flexible as possible for critical workers who work shifts or atypical hours. • Check your insurances for any opening hour restrictions, tell your LA • EYFS 3.77.All registered early years providers must notify Ofsted of any proposal to change the hours during which childcare is provided– send an email • Early Years register makes provision for children to 1st September following 5th birthday • Childcare register is in two parts –compulsory under 8, voluntary 8 plus
Staff looking after critical workers children and vulnerable children • Decide on your core team • Consider the knowledge, experience and qualifications of the core team • Ensure you have a designated safeguarding lead available PREFERABLY ON SITE and systems in place to contact social services if required. Families will be under additional stress at this time. • You will need to follow all the requirements of the EYFS • Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing social distancing in education and childcare settings Published 24 March 2020 • Guidance COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings Published 19 March 2020
What does on furlough mean? • On furlough is a status for employees on a ‘leave of absence’. You still remain employed by your employer until a given date, you will return to your duties or you can have your contract terminated (redundancy rules apply). • The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme means that all employers who have a PAYE payroll scheme and have started a person on or before 28th February 2020, will be able access support to continue paying their staff placed on furlough. • Whilst you are on furlough you are not working but kept on the payroll, the scheme pays the employer 80% of employees wages but only if the employee qualifies • Government to cover employer National Insurance and pension contributions of furloughed workers – on top of 80% of salary
What does on furlough mean? HMRC will reimburse 80% of the current wage the person receives, up to £2500 per • month. Employers can top this up but they don’t have to, it will be used to pay you in the normal way Employers who have made an employee redundant after 28.02.2020, can rehire them and • still make a claim Your staff who continue to work looking after children of critical workers cannot be placed • in furlough, they continue to be employed as normal If you are on reduced hours or pay and continue to work, you cannot be placed in furlough •
What does on furlough mean? • Employees can have any type of contract, full-time, part-time, agency contract, flexible or ‘zero hour’ but must be PAYE • You cannot make an employee work for you whilst on furlough, they cannot be ‘working from home’, if they are, they should be paid as normal • Restrictions on undertaking on line training apply, CPD is voluntary. • If you do make an employee do online training they must be paid on top of 80% wages at national living wage or national minimum wage • Refer to - Guidance for employers on the coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme for more information about • Those furloughed can volunteer for the NHS without risking their pay
How do you place people in furlough? • Create a policy and procedure, based on the guidance available, so that everyone is clear Discuss and agree with employees and clarify ‘furloughed workers’. Equality and discrimination laws will apply to this process • Refer to employment contracts and make changes – amended to include furlough • Notify employees in writing that they have been furloughed • Changing the status of your employees remains subject to existing employment law and may be subject to change
How do you place people in furlough? • This is a temporary scheme open to all UK employers for at least three months starting from 1 March 2020. Scheme will be up and running within weeks – hopefully before the end of April • Short term interest free loan is available to support businesses– Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan • Seek guidance on annual leave that will be accrued
Guidance • Guidance for employers on the coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme. • Guidance for employees • Further details of Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme announced (NI and pensions info)
Parents – concerns over paying invoices Can childcare providers continue to charge parents during coronavirus-related closures? • The government have worked hard to lessen the impact of coronavirus on all parts of our society. They have given support to individuals and business. • Childcare providers are urged to be ‘reasonable and balanced’ in their dealings with parents, given the great uncertainty they will be facing too. • Providers may have been given early years entitlement funding from local authorities, provided business rate relief, made available an interest free business loan. Furlough provides for staff. • Insurance - if you are covered will only provide for loss of income, they will require information about the children you have on role (full time and part time). The also need to know the number of children you are providing for if you are open (income) • Can providers continue to charge for consumables such as nappies? • Providers may charge for consumables in line with national entitlements guidance . As per existing guidance, they should consider the impact of charges on disadvantaged families. • Questions around the funding and transferring it to another setting
Keeping parents informed – off site • Communication is key, regular, use your apps that you have or establish email. Use of messaging via WhatsApp, Facebook consider online safety. • Stay at home guidance for households is available in many languages • A time of adjustment for us all • Establishing routines for parents and children will take time • Think carefully about your online strategy • 'At home learning’ document, ‘what to expect when’ document
Keeping parents informed - onsite • Duty to continue with the EYFS, SEE Information for Parents 3.73 • The EYFS continues to be delivered • How can parents access more information? • Change in resources set out to minimise infection, routine may change, different food and drink provision • Review key policies in light of Coronavirus Response – cleaning, safeguarding, supervision, illness etc • Staffing and key person wherever possible • Update emergency contact details ASAP
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