This hub includes all the latest policy announcements, Government guidance, and free resources from across the sector to support all early years providers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Government policy and guidance
Actions for early years and childcare providers during COVID-19
This guidance sets out the responsibilities of early years settings and local authorities, infection prevention and control measures, and considerations for settings.
Safe working in education settings, including the use of PPE
This guidance explains the strategy for infection prevention and control, including the specific circumstances in which PPE should be used, to enable safe working during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Contain framework: a guide for local decision-makers
This guidance outlines 4 tiers of restriction for education settings that can be implemented to manage outbreaks in a local area.
Temporary disapplications to the early years foundation stage
The government temporarily disapplied and modified certain elements of the EYFS statutory framework. This guidance sets out what will happen once the disapplications end on 25 September 2020.
Education Action Cards
Education action cards have been published outlining what early years settings should do to manage a possible outbreak.
Leaflet for parents
This leaflet provides information for parents about sending their children to early years settings.
Funding for the autumn term
This guidance sets out the government’s commitment to continue paying local authorities over the autumn term for the early education places they usually fund.
Temporary changes to the 30 hours childcare entitlement
This guidance sets out the temporary changes to the 30 hours entitlement to ensure critical worker parents and those with vulnerable children are not disadvantaged during the COVID-19 outbreak and can continue to access the childcare provision to which they are entitled.
Hungry Little Minds
Hungry Little Minds supports parents to engage in activities that support their child’s early learning and help set them up for school and beyond. This update includes assets such as images, draft tweets, and a series of videos for providers to use in their communications and social media activity.
What parents and carers need to know about early years providers
This guidance is for parents and carers of children at registered early years providers. Translations can be found here.
Ofsted arrangements for the autumn term
On 17 March 2020, all routine Ofsted inspections were suspended. As part of a phased return to routine inspection from autumn 2020, Ofsted are carrying out interim visits.
Advice service for positive confirmed cases in early years settings
A dedicated advice service available for early years settings who have been informed of a confirmed case(s) of COVID-19 in their setting can be reached by calling DfE’s helpline on 0800 046 8687 and selecting the option for reporting a positive case. The line will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Resources for early years settings
PACEY
EY smart
This free, high quality, online training from PACEY can be done on any device at any time – in as little as 10 minutes. Suitable for all practitioners and created with experts including the Open University, content themes include courses to help navigate the Education Inspection Framework as well as support during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Coronavirus spotlight
This page on the PACEY website brings together the latest information about the COVID-19 outbreak. The information will be updated accordingly as and when the UK government makes updates.
Re-opening settings toolkit
Since the government announced the planned re-opening of childcare and early years settings in England and Wales from June, PACEY have pulled together a range of support, advice and blogs to tackle key topics you will need to consider and think about before re-opening.
Spotlight on… 2-year-olds
PACEY are working Together for Twos! This collection of ideas, inspiration and tools can help you reflect on and extend your practice working with toddlers. You’ll find top tips, videos, case studies, downloadable tools and other essential ideas to help you develop your 2-year-old provision.
Starting school toolkit
This year, with many children at home during the COVID-19 outbreak, the transition process won’t be the same as in previous years. These resources from PACEY will help you to support children so that they are ready to start school with a smile in September. Discover ideas, information and activities within the toolkit sections.
Business smart
Business Smart from PACEY is here to support everyone working in childcare. Dig in for a collection of ideas, inspiration and tools to help new and existing childcare practitioners develop and maintain a sustainable business. You’ll find top tips, blogs, downloadable tools and other essential ideas to help you make the most of your business.
NDNA
Separation anxiety & transitions
This factsheet has been developed to support nurseries during – and following – the COVID-19 pandemic, with transitions and separation anxiety.
Health and hygiene controls
This factsheet has been developed to support with guidance on how to limit the risk of the virus spreading.
Support for managers
This factsheet has been developed to support managers to prepare their team and their setting with the transition back to fully re-opening.
Support for practitioners
This factsheet has been developed to support practitioners to prepare themselves as the nursery moves towards fully re-opening.
Please note you will need to register for a free NDNA account to access the factsheets.
Early Years Alliance
COVID-19
Specific advice, FAQs and support for all all staff working directly with children and families in early years provision during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Communicating with families and the community
A range of blogs, supporting settings to communicate and engage with families and the community.
Operating during the COVID-19 lockdown and beyond
The Early Years Alliance have produced this Frequently Asked Questions guide to help providers as they re-open.
Safeguarding guidance
Advice and support for providers to support safeguarding best practice.
Business planning and management guidance
Advice and support for providers to support business planning and management guidance, such as leadership and team management.
Supporting inclusive practice
Advice and support for providers to support inclusive practice.
Ofsted inspections
Providers can access support to all areas related to preparing for and managing inspections.
Under 5
The latest issue of Under 5 magazine is available for everyone to read for free.
Council for Disabled Children
Early Years SEND Partnership
The EYSEND website is up-to-date with all the training, support and resources available from the partnership, including a summary report of the EYSEND COVID-19 survey which captures the sector’s thoughts and concerns about life during lockdown and the return to education, and a local authority strategic review tool with a dedicated section on transition.
nasen
Early Years Transition Package
Three webcasts supported by a set of downloadable documents and links to relevant free resources to support staff with transition arrangements for settling all young children after COVID-19 and beyond.
Resources for parents and carers
PACEY
Learning at home
With so many parents now at home with their children during the COVID-19 pandemic, PACEY have put together some resources written by childcare and early years experts to help parents support children’s learning at home.
NDNA
Maths Confidence
This factsheet will support parents with getting their children ready for school with regards to maths confidence.
Developing Literacy at Home
This factsheet will help parents to get their children ready for school in regards to developing literacy skills at home.
Building Children’s Confidence
This factsheet will support parents to get children ready for school in regards to building confidence.
Support with EAL
This factsheet has been developed to help nurseries support parents and children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) during the lockdown period.
myNDNA
Parents can join the free myNDNA community for blogs, activities and tips.
Early Years Alliance
Family Time Tips
This digital service for families offers fun, practical tips and advice to promote children’s learning and development family direct to mobiles. Daily topics include language and learning through play activities, health and wellbeing tips plus nutritional advice.
Family Sessions on YouTube
Free virtual support direct to families with very young children, with a focus on interpersonal and enriching face-to-face support using fun, learning through play videos and webinars.
Let’s Learn Together @Home
A free activity-packed programme offering loads of ideas on how to keep children happy, motivated and learning.
Family Corner
A free, blog-led portal and parent club aimed at families with young children, covering a range of topics from nutrition, help with weaning to potty training and encouraging literacy and language from an early age.
How to choose the right childcare
Advice for parents on choosing childcare most appropriate for their needs.
Education Development Trust and Elklan
Family Resources
Fun and friendly guides for parents to support their 2-4 year-old’s communication skills.
BBC
Tiny Happy People
Support for parents, including activity ideas for children aged 0-4 that will help parents develop their child’s communication skills.
Partnership for Children
Social and emotional learning activities
These play-based activities are designed to promote young children’s social and emotional development during these challenging times.
Lambeth Early Action Partnership
Making home learning fun
These activities are designed for parents to play, create and explore with their child. Each activity tells parents what their child will be learning and encourages use of everyday things lying around the house.
nasen
Family Case Studies
These case studies illustrate some of the creative ways families supported the learning of their children at home during lockdown and include their advice to other families of children with SEND.
Join the Foundation Years community to stay up to date with the latest early years policy, practice and resources.