In the week commencing 20 December, nurseries, pre-schools and childminders reported a total of 3,697 cases of the virus among staff and children.
The previous week, commencing 13 December, 2,935 cases were reported.
Around the Christmas and New Year period last year, the highest number of cases reported was 2,357 in the week commencing 11 January 2021 when the UK was in its third national lockdown.
In the week beginning 14 December 2020, just 604 cases of Covid-19 were reported by early years settings, rising to 620 the following week.
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: "It’s staggering that at a time when so many nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are being affected by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the government has yet to announce any financial or practical support for our vital sector.”
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