Coronavirus (COVID-19)
England is at Step Two of the roadmap out of lockdown. Restrictions are still in place.
Early Years settings – coronavirus information
Early years and nursery provision has remained open to all throughout the lockdown.
Childcare settings have their own health and safety risk assessments, and keep them under review.
If you’re a member of a household, childcare or support bubble of staff or a child in nursery, you can now collect free no-symptom home-test kits.
In 2021, the early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile will not be mandatory but the government will require providers to try their best to complete it and provide the information to year 1 teachers and parents, if this is possible.
Managing cases in nurseries
Nurseries and childminders will take swift action when they become aware that someone who has attended has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). They will contact their local health protection team if they:
- have 2 or more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) among pupils or staff within 14 days
- see an overall rise in child or staff absence rates where coronavirus (COVID-19) is suspected
The local health protection team will advise what action is required. Closure will not usually be necessary, but some groups may need to self-isolate.
If restrictions in nurseries or childminders are again needed to help contain the spread of the virus, there may be some changes to how they operate. The childcare setting will be prepared for this, following government guidance.
Safety measures in and around childcare settings
Childcare settings have their own health and safety risk assessments, and keep them under review.
Please contact your child’s provider for any questions or concerns related to the safety measures they put in place.
Drop-off and pick-up arrangements
Some childcare settings may need to stagger or adjust start and finish times. This helps keep groups apart as they arrive and leave the premises.
Your child’s nursery or childminder will be in touch to set out any changes they are making.
Please help nurseries and childminders manage these arrangements. For example – by keeping your distance from others when dropping off and picking up your child and wearing a face covering when asked to do so unless exempt.
Travelling to and from a childcare setting
If your child needs to share a car to get to the childcare setting with someone outside of their support bubble or household, they should:
- share with the same people each time
- open the windows for ventilation
Frequently asked questions
You can still renew your 30 hour code and tax-free childcare in the same way as you would normally by logging into your account on the Childcare Choices website.
The Government has also announced that any working parent usually eligible for 30 hours free childcare or Tax-Free Childcare will remain eligible if their income changes due to COVID-19.
Find more information about these changes.
You can use this link if you need help to find childcare in Portsmouth.
If you are unable to find a suitable place please email us at eyfunding@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for support from our outreach officers.
Portsmouth City Council is following government guidance and supporting early years settings to stay open.
Early years settings continue to implement rigorous infection control measures to keep staff and children safe. We are continuing to make progress in understanding the disease and transmission characteristics of coronavirus (COVID-19). We are not seeing high infection rates in children under 5 and keeping them open will support parents and deliver the crucial care and education for our youngest children.
In addition, early years settings are on average much smaller than schools. This allows a less restrictive approach to mixing, and operating within strict space and ratio requirements, within settings than schools.