New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This document answers the FAQs from the early years sector on the national lockdown. These answers have been checked with the Department for Education (DfE) and cover:

  • Safety of settings
  • Testing and vaccinations
  • Clinically vulnerable children and staff
  • Funding and financial support
  • Reception-aged children
  • Children’s centres
  • + more

If you have any further questions, please submit these to foundationyears@ncb.org.uk.

Read the FAQs


COVID-19 resources hub

The Foundation Years COVID-19 resources hub will continue to be updated to include the latest information and guidance, in addition to hosting a variety of resources to support early years settings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

View the COVID-19 hub


National lockdown restrictions are in place in England. Early years settings and childminders can remain open and parents can continue to use these settings as normal. The rationale for this decision can be found here.

Foundation Years will continue to provide updates via our mailing listFacebook, Twitter and on the Foundation Years website.