An estimated 22,000 settings are open, which represents 26 per cent of all settings, with 45 per cent closed and 30 per cent unknown.
The DfE is sending online surveys to local authorities so that they can report on attendance at early years provision remaining open during the Covid-19 pandemic. The first data is for Thursday 16 April and figures will be published on a weekly basis. The response rate for the first survey was 87 per cent.
Of the 65,000 children going to early years provision, the DfE estimates that 59,000 are children of critical workers and 6,000 are vulnerable children.
Schools have been reporting attendance on a daily basis. Around 3 per cent of children attended on 23 March, the first day of official closure of schools, but this has since fallen to around 1 per cent or 84,000 children on 17 April. About 61 per cent of schools, 15,100 establishments, are open to children who qualify for a place.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
