Early years workers struggle to access school places

The call, from the Early Years Alliance (EYA), comes following a growing number of reports of childcare workers being refused places because their partners are not classed as critical workers. 

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Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England have been asked to remain open to all families during national lockdown and as critical workers, those working in the childcare and early education sector should be able to access school places for their own children attending primary or secondary school, the EYA says.

However, a rising number of practitioners have told the organisation that they have been prevented from doing so as a result of some schools requiring both parents to be critical workers to access places. 

Anecdotal reports received by the EYA state that the partners of those working in the early years sector hold jobs that cannot be done from home, such as construction.

Current government guidance states: “Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required.” 

A recent joint survey conducted by the EYA and independent sector analysts Ceeda between 15 and 19 January found that, at the time of responding to the survey, approximately 8,000 staff working in nurseries, pre-schools and childminding settings were unable to work due to an ability to access school places for their own children.

One respondent said: “I worked from June to July in the setting and my daughter attended her primary school as I am classed as a key worker. I then applied for her to attend school again in this lockdown, which she did for a week to then be told she can't have a place. Their reason is because my husband is not a critical worker and he should stay home. My husband is the main earner: he is a plasterer so cannot work from home. I have stated to the school that government guidelines say only one parent needs to be a key worker.

"My daughter currently comes to work with me and sits in the office, we then home-school when we get back (and I then help my son who is in secondary school). I feel that there are people taking their children in that do not need to and that I am being treated unfairly."

Another said: “I have been declined a school place for both of my children due to them requesting that both parents are critical workers, even though my partner is currently working.

"I have now had to be furloughed one day a week, as has my partner, so that we can work childcare between us both when this shouldn’t be needed.

"It is already a worrying time as my manager needs all of her staff at the moment, not for this to be happening. My manager and I have tried to challenge the school's decision, but unfortunately have not made any progress to date." 

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: “We completely recognise the challenges that schools are facing in trying to keep the numbers of children attending during national lockdown at a minimum, especially at a time when the demand for critical worker places appears to be rising.

“However, we are concerned that the blanket approach being taken by some schools of requiring both parents to be critical workers to access a school place means that many of those working in the early years sector who genuinely do require – and are eligible for – a school place for their own children, are being prevented from accessing them.

“At a time when those working in nurseries, pre-schools and childminding settings are under so much pressure themselves, the ability to access a school place for their own children is often critical to ensuring that they themselves are able to continue providing care and education that families need. As such, we urge all school leaders to ensure that their admissions policies aren’t inadvertently denying places to eligible parents, including those in the early years, who truly need them.”