Childminders will be able to continue to operate in all tiers of the UK despite school closures announced on the 30/12/20 and further updated to include all of London on 01/01/21.
Following the government announcement of 30/12/20 confirming further areas moved to tier 4 and the arrangements for schools returning in January, we can confirm childminders and other early years settings are able to stay open in all tiers, this has not changed even though schools will now be closed accross London.
Wraparound care including before and after-school clubs and tutoring will only be able to open for children who are attending school (children of key workers and vulnerable children).
The government have sent tiney the following statement:
‘Following today’s announcement relating to a staggered return for secondary schools in January, I am writing to confirm that there is no change for EY settings. Early years registered settings can remain open or re-open as usual in the New Year. Details of the announcement can be found here.’
Tiney takes the safety and health of our tiney home leaders, their families and the children they care for very seriously, all our tiney homes have additional Covid-safe procedures in place. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide any updates needed to home leaders and parents.
The full list of local authority areas in which primary schools will be closed from the 4th January 2021 is:
London
- All boroughs and the City of London
Essex
- Brentwood
- Epping Forest
- Castle Point
- Basildon
- Rochford
- Harlow
- Chelmsford
- Braintree
- Maldon
- Southend on Sea
- Thurrock
Kent
- Dartford
- Gravesham
- Sevenoaks
- Medway
- Ashford
- Maidstone
- Tonbridge and Malling
- Tunbridge Wells
- Swale
East Sussex
- Hastings
- Rother
Buckinghamshire
- Milton Keynes
Hertfordshire
- Watford
- Broxbourne
- Hertsmere
- Three Rivers
Useful Links:
The current Covid-19 government guidance (which is regularly updated) can be found here.