Early years ‘ignored’ in row over reopening schools

The Department for Education is embroiled in a row with teaching unions, council leaders and schools over its “chaotic” and “inconsistent” approach to reopening schools across England following the Christmas holidays. 

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However, the Early Years Alliance (EYA) has written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and children’s minister Vicky Ford condemning the “complete omission of the early years sector from discussions around whether or not it is safe for education providers to remain open”.

Despite primary schools in some areas of the country being instructed to close to all but the children of frontline workers and vulnerable children, early years providers have been advised to remain open.

In the letter, EYA chief executive Neil Leitch, writes: "Early years providers have been on the frontline through this crisis. They have put themselves, and their loved ones, at risk to do what the government has asked and provide vital care and education to the children and families that need it. It cannot be that nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are treated as education providers when they are needed by the government, and dismissed as private businesses who have to fend for themselves when they are not. 

"The early years is an integral part of the education sector in England and must be treated as such...

"What is being asked of the workforce - to continue operating in the middle of the second wave of the pandemic with little support, even less information and no acknowledgement from the Department that is supposed to represent them - cannot continue."

The letter also calls on the Department for Education to reinstate early entitlement funding support for providers during the spring term amid fears that heightened restrictions are likely to result in a significant reduction in the demand for provision. 

During the autumn term last year, the government provided funding to nurseries, pre-schools and childminders for free childcare places based on pre-pandemic attendance levels,  however, this support was removed at the start of the new year.

Leitch said: "Since the very start of the pandemic, the Education Secretary has treated the early years as a complete afterthought.

"If the government is this concerned about the spread of the virus in primary schools, it must provide clear, scientific evidence for why the early years should be treated differently. If it cannot provide this vital reassurance, then it surely has no choice but to take the necessary decision to close early years settings and provide the financial support providers will need to remain viable during such temporary closures.

"Those working in the early years are understandably extremely anxious about the safety and wellbeing of themselves, their colleagues, their families and the children they care for, but have sadly been made to feel that their safety simply does not matter. 

“For providers to have any confidence in the decision to keep early years settings open, government must address the sector’s concerns directly, and demonstrate that it considers the safety of those taking care of our youngest children a top priority."

Purmina Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said the sector had been put in an “intolerable position” by government.

She said: “It is shocking that early years are being ignored again in this debate despite the fact that the sector has worked like a fourth emergency service throughout.

“Early years provision is vital for children’s development as well as working families but the government must engage with the sector and provide firm assurance on the safety of children and early years staff. Nurseries have worked tirelessly to put in place safety measures to minimise the spread of the virus and make their settings as safe as possible for staff and children at their own cost.

“The government must prioritise vaccinations for early years staff. Everyone knows it is impossible to socially distance from a toddler or a baby. Staff are being asked to work on the frontline, giving love, care and learning opportunities to our youngest children, they must be a high priority for receiving the vaccine.

“If the government is to go back to this scenario they must provide the financial support the sector needs to avoid mass closures.”