Coronavirus daily round-up: Tuesday 26 May
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Boris Johnson has announced that steps are in place to reopen schools on 1 June despite backlash from parents and teaching unions.
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Each day, CYP Now will summarise the key issues affecting the children and families sector as it tackles the effects of the pandemic. The daily update signposts children’s services practitioners and leaders to the latest developments, expert views, advice and resources.
Schools remain ‘on track’ to return on June 1
Boris Johnson has announced that schools will reopen on June 1 to pupils in nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Secondary schools will open to students in Years 10 and 12 on June 15, the Prime Minister said, however he admitted “not all schools” will be ready for pupils to return on set dates.
The move to go-ahead with reopening schools and early years settings comes following a row between the government and teaching unions over the safety of staff and pupils in settings.
Early years leaders 'frustrated' at timing of new guidance publication
The Early Years Alliance (EYA) has said it is “disappointed” with the Department for Education's decision to publish new guidance for the reopening of settings over the bank holiday weekend.
“It is very frustrating and disappointing that this document has been published on the Sunday of a Bank Holiday weekend, little over a week ahead of the government’s planned reopening of schools and childcare settings,” said Neil Leitch, chief executive of the EYA.
The guidance is aimed at “helping prepare all providers to open their settings for all children from 1 June,” the DfE said.
Councils and schools step in to provide free schools meals over half term
Schools and councils have stepped in to provide food hampers for children eligible for free school meals over half term despite the government reversing its decision not to provide vouchers for vulnerable families.
Good morning. Packed lunches for children eligible for Free School Meals will be available between midday and 12:15pm today, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. An update of the plan for the phased re-opening of school will be published here on Friday. Take care.
— Hillside Primary School (@Hillsideprenton) May 26, 2020
The Department for Education told CYP Now that the vouncher scheme, brought in in March will continue over the week-long break after more than 100,000 people signing a petition set up by a 16-year-old girl calling for the extension.
Today’s parcels are on their way. Please do contact us on 01513382242 if you think you maybe eligible for free school meals or if you are struggling - we can help each week with a food and care parcel😊 pic.twitter.com/CKe37C0jzf
— Wolverham Head (@wolverhamhead) May 26, 2020
New app supports mental health from aged two
A new app has been launched to help children as young as two develop good mental health.
Calm Kingdown, produced by developers Cleverworld, encourages children to draw and write to express their feelings as well as taking part in physical activities.
The app also has a parent portal offering tips for parents to support good mental health in their children.
Calm Kingdom is free and available to download from the App Store and from Google Play.
Charity launches virtual sports days
Children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust and Sky Sports have teamed up to support children missing out on school sports days.
The Youth Sport Trust’s annual National School Sport Week campaign will this year be opened up to parents and families and reinvented as National School Sport Week at Home.
Taking place from 20 to 26 June, the UK-wide campaign will give families, communities, schools and sports clubs the opportunity to engage in a series of virtual challenges.
People can register to take part in the campaign online to receive videos and activity cards to help them plan a series of challenges across the week for their families, neighbours, friends or colleagues.
