KIDDIE CARE
When will nurseries and pre-schools be reopening in the UK?
3
NURSERIES and preschools across England are now reopened.
Nurseries have been shut during lockdown in a bid to avoid spreading Covid-19, but they have been allowed to reopen from June 1, here's everything we know.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
3
When will nurseries and preschools reopen?
Nurseries and preschools across England are now reopened.
This comes after Boris Johnson's announcement on May 24 that nurseries will reopen on June 1, along with primary schools for children in Reception, Years 1 and 6.
The government says that nursery children of all ages will, therefore, begin to head back from the start of June.
Mr Johnson said the country "will be in the position to move to step two of the plan", meaning some schools will reopen on June 1, with reception, year one and year six classes returning first.
He added: "In line with the approach being taken in many other countries, we want to start getting children back into the classroom in a way that is as manageable and safe as possible."
Nurseries are one of the first to go back so parents can return to work - with this seen as essential to relaxing the pressure on the economy, with some fearing it will never recover.
The closure of nurseries left many parents juggling work duties and childcare for months.
3
How will social distancing work after lockdown?
Specifics on social distancing are unclear for nurseries and preschools but it is expected to be similar to those already in place.
Currently, nurseries are being told to limit the class sizes to a small number of children, while they are staggering lunch times.
Meanwhile, parents are being discouraged from gathering outside for pick-up and drop-off times.
These guidelines will change throughout the easement of lockdown restrictions.
Were some nurseries and preschools still open for key workers?
Nurseries and preschools have been allowed to remain open if the children attending have parents that are key workers.
This includes NHS staff, delivery drivers and supermarket employees.
Children that are vulnerable to the virus were also able to go to nursery.
In early April, a survey from National Day Nurseries Association revealed that 50 per cent of all nurseries were still open.
However, now from June 1 nurseries and preschools have reopened for all children across England.
Have nursery staff been furloughed?
This has become a problem area for nurseries, considering most receive at least some financial benefit from the government.
On April 17, the Department for Education revealed that nurseries who receive public money to pay for staff would not be allowed to furlough their employees.
This was a change from the previous rules which had no restrictions.
It has caused nurseries to struggle - and some fearing permanent closure - due to no private income.
Latest Coronavirus news
The only difference is that if nurseries use private income, for example from parents, to pay for a percentage of their staff's wages, they will be able to claim for that portion.
This would only be the case for workers if they are not required to work because of vulnerable children or those of key workers.
Meanwhile, for preschool staff, they are funded solely through the government, so should be on furlough should they not be looking after young children of key workers.
Topics