On Saturday 31 October, the Prime Minister announced a four-week national lockdown in England from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December. Early years settings and childminders can remain open and parents can continue to use these settings as normal.
Foundation Years will continue to provide updates via our mailing list, Facebook, Twitter and on the Foundation Years website.
New guidance
The Department for Education (DfE) have today published guidance on how the new national restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 impact early years settings.
This guidance should be read in conjunction with:
- Actions for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak – updated 21 October.
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) disapplications – updated 7 October.
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) announcement – published 31 October.
- Legislation underpinning national restrictions – published 3 November.
- Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 – updated 4 November.
- Ofsted update on how they will carry out their work during the lockdown – updated 3 November.
COVID-19 resources hub
The Foundation Years COVID-19 resources hub will continue to be updated to include the latest information and guidance on the national lockdown, in addition to hosting a variety of resources to support early years settings during the COVID-19 outbreak.