Settings seeking coronavirus advice

• Staff report fear of catching virus from children
• Sector organisations report receiving extra calls

As the Covid-19 outbreak is a developing situation, this story reflects the position as of midday, 12 March.

The childcare sector is becoming increasingly worried about the impact the coronavirus will have on staff and sustainability.

The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) reported receiving extra calls from members.

Meanwhile, insurers have told providers they will not pay out for closures to contain the spread of Covid-19 (see ‘News roundup’, page 6). As we went to press, Ireland had just announced it was closing nurseries, schools and colleges.

Sickness policies

One early years practitioner told Nursery World they are worried for their health as their setting appears to be taking no additional measures.

‘It’s business as normal and some of us staff are afraid. Today, three toddlers in my room had temperatures and all were just given Calpol. I was expected to cuddle them as they coughed in my face. No pay for us if we get sick, but children come in sick all the time.

‘Parents who have been God knows where are also coming and going. I am considering quitting as it’s not worth risking my life for minimum wage.’

Melanie Pilcher, quality and standards manager at the Early Years Alliance, said that while the administration of Calpol may be appropriate for children under the age of two with parental agreement, it should never be used by settings to reduce a temperature so a child can stay in their care.

A Twitter poll by Nursery World found the majority of settings have made no changes to their sickness policies.

The Government is considering introducing measures whereby people who have mild viral infections, including colds, will be told to self-isolate for seven days. It is believed that if the measures come in, schools and childcare settings will be able to relax staff to child ratios.

The NDNA said it would prove challenging for nurseries to send home anyone with symptoms of a cold.

Ms Pilcher said if the guidance on self-isolation becomes stricter, providers will have to draw up contingency plans that may well include how they will prioritise places if needed – for example, ensuring healthcare providers and other frontline services can access childcare, or that vulnerable children are cared for.

‘We hope that the Government will issue further guidance on this if needed, but it would be sensible for any early years provider to begin to consider those families that will need childcare the most.

‘Giving parents fair warning that places could be limited means no-one should be taken by surprise and each family has the opportunity to draw up their own contingency plans.’

Early years practitioners have raised fears on social media that the Government measure could lead to parents giving their children medicine to suppress any symptoms so that they can attend the setting. However, reports suggest some parents have decided not to send their child to nursery.

A petition calling for schools and colleges to close to prevent further spread of the virus is quickly gathering pace with 347,325 signatures to date.

Good hygiene

Many settings have reported stepping up measures to protect against the virus, including teaching children how to wash their hands properly and adopting general good hygiene.

Stepping Stones Day Nursery in Gomersal said it had organised different activities for children around handwashing.

Bluebell Lodge Nursery in Blackpool has taught the children in its care a special handwashing song, which they sing twice to ensure they have properly washed their hands. They also organised an activity where children washed toy animals, discussing ways to ensure they were clean.

Parade Community Pre-school in Portsmouth has used paint to represent germs to explain how viruses can spread.

In Dubai, where all nurseries and schools are closed until further notice, Pristine Rose Nursery has been sending daily videos to parents demonstrating handwashing.

London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) has stopped children visiting care homes, because the elderly are most at risk, as well as visits to museums and libraries.

Tiggers@Tetbury, a childcare setting in the Cotswolds, which temporarily excluded siblings of children who attended the local school after a staff member there tested positive for coronavirus, said it has insisted that all its families inform the setting if they are travelling abroad so that it can stay prepared.

Financial impact

Nurseries and sector organisations are dismayed that early years settings have been omitted from the moratorium on business rates, announced by the Chancellor in the Budget last week, which will apply to small retailers, hospitality and leisure businesses.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a package of support for business facing loss of income due to the virus, including refunds for businesses with fewer than 250 staff for 14 days of statutory sick pay if they need to self-isolate.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme will support companies through the crisis, with banks to offer loans of up to £1.2 million to support small and medium-sized businesses.

However, there has been no information from the Government about whether local authorities would have to continue to fund providers delivering the 15 and 30 hours entitlements.

A handful of councils have confirmed they would continue to provide funding to settings if a child is absent due to illness or advised to isolate.

The NDNA and Early Years Alliance have contacted the DfE for clarification on whether all local authorities would be required to continue providing funding.

NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, ‘NDNA is updating daily its advice page for nurseries regarding coronavirus and is taking many calls from concerned members. We have organised a live webchat with employment law and health and safety partners Citation on Wednesday (18 March). Nurseries can submit questions ahead of then or use the live chat facility. See www.ndna.org.uk/latestnews for more details.’

She added, ‘We will also have a template letter for nurseries to send to their MPs to call for more support for nurseries in Parliament.’

A Department for Education spokesperson said, ‘The Government’s action plan sets out current and possible future measures to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak that are proportionate and based on the latest scientific evidence.

‘We are aware of concerns about the position of early years providers in the event of any Covid-19-related closures and will work to minimise the impact on individual settings.’

• The DfE Coronavirus Helpline: 0800 046 8687