DebBrad Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 HAVE I GOT THIS RIGHT ALL PRE-SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO STAY OPEN FOR ALL CHILDREN ?? 1 1
NBBubbles Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 Yes as early years staff have an invisible magical cloak of protection around them from the virus. And obviously the virus cannot be transmitted by early years children, only those in primary or secondary schools. 1
Steve Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 This does seem inexplicable doesn't it? If they are serious about a strict lockdown I don't see how they can make pre-school/nursery/childminders an exception. Obviously, as in March/April, they would need to keep schools and nurseries open for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children, but... 1 1
zigzag Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 I find this so ridiculous and hard to understand. Why are we as a profession being undervalued so much? What is the logical thinking behind this decision? 2
valp59 Posted January 4, 2021 Posted January 4, 2021 I agree. I think that throughout the COVID pandemic the early years sector has been treated appallingly and nothing has changed with this ridiculous requirement! Boris stated that schools were safe for children as they do not tend to suffer too badly if they are infected but was clear that they were less safe for others as they are (Boris' words) 'vectors for transmission'. This must be the same for early years but we don't even warrant a scientific explanation for this decision. If we were all part of a union would they be be doing this?? Surely this has to be overturned somehow? I have never wanted to leave the sector as much as I do right now (and I love my job!!) 1 4
Mouseketeer Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 (edited) Sums it up...good luck to you all 🌟 Edited January 5, 2021 by Mouseketeer 1 9
Jules Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 There aren't really any words to say - although Mouseketeer has combined words and an image excellently! 1
sunnyday Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 Thank you Mousie - I love it! Did anyone catch Prof Semple on BBC news - when asked if there was a scientific basis for the decision to keep EY open he said "no" 1
Stargrower Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 Vicky Ford, Children and Families Minister has said that schools have been closed and other restrictions put in place in order to prioritise early years settings and keep them open. Apparently, we are so important to the learning, development and welfare of children, that we need to be kept open at any cost. So cancel those exams and close schools nationwide in order to keep early years open. Really Vicky? Sounds like you're talking your way out of a deep hole if you ask me! 2 1
sunnyday Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 7 minutes ago, Stargrower said: Vicky Ford, Children and Families Minister has said that schools have been closed and other restrictions put in place in order to prioritise early years settings and keep them open. Apparently, we are so important to the learning, development and welfare of children, that we need to be kept open at any cost. So cancel those exams and close schools nationwide in order to keep early years open. Really Vicky? Sounds like you're talking your way out of a deep hole if you ask me! 🤣 agreed I'm not staying open - I have to make sensible decisions even if our Government can't - I have notified parents and so far, so good, haven't heard from all of them yet, but those who have replied have been completely supportive 2
LKeyteach Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 On a positive - have had so many grateful parents today. Have never had so many thank yous. 2
louby loo Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 1 hour ago, Stargrower said: Vicky Ford, Children and Families Minister has said that schools have been closed and other restrictions put in place in order to prioritise early years settings and keep them open. Apparently, we are so important to the learning, development and welfare of children, that we need to be kept open at any cost. So cancel those exams and close schools nationwide in order to keep early years open. Really Vicky? Sounds like you're talking your way out of a deep hole if you ask me! Yes, the first five years are the most important - except this is not compulsory. GCSE and A Levels are not important.
louby loo Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 52 minutes ago, sunnyday said: 🤣 agreed I'm not staying open - I have to make sensible decisions even if our Government can't - I have notified parents and so far, so good, haven't heard from all of them yet, but those who have replied have been completely supportive How long are you staying shut for? I've been getting txt today asking if we are still opening tomorrow- I think parents are getting a bit twitchy now.
zigzag Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 We are staying shut until next week so we can thrash out an agreement! It very much looks like we will be opening for a very small number and reducing hours. 1
DebBrad Posted January 5, 2021 Author Posted January 5, 2021 Yes we are staying shut until next week and doing exactly the same, it's looking like we will only have two members of staff most days, so we will be opening for a small number on reduced hours to.
sunnyday Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 39 minutes ago, louby loo said: How long are you staying shut for? I've been getting txt today asking if we are still opening tomorrow- I think parents are getting a bit twitchy now. I have said that I will open whenever the primary school is allowed to 1 1
louby loo Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 If we are not getting funding for the children not attending does this mean we can now furlough our staff?
sunnyday Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 26 minutes ago, louby loo said: If we are not getting funding for the children not attending does this mean we can now furlough our staff? Think so louby
sunnyday Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 Honestly couldn't one of those journalists asked about nurseries at the briefing
zigzag Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 13 minutes ago, sunnyday said: Honestly couldn't one of those journalists asked about nurseries at the briefing I think the questions were cherry picked! Have you seen the response to the EYA question to the DFE about why we are open? It’s a joke. I have been immersing myself in social media today and the amount of early years providers who have said that they have all had the virus in their setting is frightening. The Department for Education has provided the below response to queries on why early years providers have been asked to remain open while schools have been instructed to close, following our meeting with children and families minister Vicky Ford earlier today: The reason schools have been restricted is not that they are unsafe but because additional measures are needed to contain the spread of the virus. The wider restrictions in place as part of the national lockdown to contain the spread of the virus in the community enable us to continue prioritising keeping nurseries and childminders open, supporting parents and delivering the crucial care and education needed for our youngest children. Early years settings remain low risk environments for children and staff. 0-5 year olds continue to have the lowest confirmed rates of coronavirus of all age groups, and there is no evidence that the new variant of coronavirus disproportionately affects young children. Evidence shows that pre-school children are less susceptible to infection and are not playing a driving role in transmission. There is no evidence the new strain of the virus causes more serious illness in either children or adults and there continues to be strong evidence that children are much less susceptible to severe clinical disease than older people. PHE advice remains that the risk of transmission and infection is low if early years settings follow the system of controls, which reduce risks and create inherently safer environments. Early years settings have been open to all children since 1 June and there is no evidence that the early years sector has contributed to a rise in virus cases within the community. Early evidence from SAGE showed that early years provision had a smaller relative impact on transmission rate than primary schools, which in turn had a smaller relative impact than secondary schools. Early years childcare providers were one of the first sectors to have restrictions lifted last summer, in recognition of the key role they play in society. Childminders and nursery staff across the country have worked hard to keep settings open through the pandemic so that young children can be educated, and parents can work. The earliest years are the most crucial point of child development and attending early education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and supports children’s social and emotional development. We continue to prioritise keeping early years settings open in full because of the clear benefits to children’s education and wellbeing and to support working parents. Caring for the youngest age group is not something that can be done remotely. We are continuing to share your queries and concerns with the Department for Education and will provide further updates as soon as we can.
sunnyday Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 1 hour ago, louby loo said: If we are not getting funding for the children not attending does this mean we can now furlough our staff? Thinking about this again, possibly not if it is our choice to close, but I think you might be able to if you have reduced numbers of children in attendance
louby loo Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 56 minutes ago, sunnyday said: Think so louby Have you looked into it? I'm at the point I really don't want to go in, and I don't feel I should ask my staff to if I don't. I think for owners it's a really stressful time because at the end of the day it's all on our head! I have member of staff that is 72/3 type 2 diabetic, overweight and her husband is in the vulnerable group- but insists on working as she says she needs the money. I'm pretty sure her family would have something to say if anything happened to her or her husband. I can't afford to pay her to stay off as I'd also have to pay cover. I also have staff that need to earn a wage the help pay the food bills (or in one case a massive vet bill) Note- I'm not being judgmental about being overweigh - I could do with losing a fair few lbs myself
louby loo Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 12 minutes ago, sunnyday said: Thinking about this again, possibly not if it is our choice to close, but I think you might be able to if you have reduced numbers of children in attendance Well if it not financially viable i.e as you say not enough families ?
zigzag Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care?fbclid=IwAR3Ghy8VcWweRuGEcjMxicxccE1hQc5vgy2foCefdI8eyH_LSGjipE4mmpc 1
louby loo Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 3 minutes ago, zigzag said: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care?fbclid=IwAR3Ghy8VcWweRuGEcjMxicxccE1hQc5vgy2foCefdI8eyH_LSGjipE4mmpc Your'e not going to make me read that are you 😱...... it's not even 7.30 and I've had to classes of wine - and I'm not even a drinker!! 1
zigzag Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 16 minutes ago, louby loo said: Your'e not going to make me read that are you 😱...... it's not even 7.30 and I've had to classes of wine - and I'm not even a drinker!! Two classes, cases or glasses Sunnyday? If it’s two cases, then you stand no hope of reading it!
louby loo Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 8 minutes ago, zigzag said: Two classes, cases or glasses Sunnyday? If it’s two cases, then you stand no hope of reading it! 🤣🤣 two glasses...... but I think Sunnyday is more into a g +t 🤣
sunnyday Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 Oi - you two I haven't touched a drop tonight 20 minutes ago, zigzag said: Two classes, cases or glasses Sunnyday? If it’s two cases, then you stand no hope of reading it! 9 minutes ago, louby loo said: 🤣🤣 two glasses...... but I think Sunnyday is more into a g +t 🤣 2
Cait Posted January 6, 2021 Posted January 6, 2021 On 04/01/2021 at 22:19, zigzag said: I find this so ridiculous and hard to understand. Why are we as a profession being undervalued so much? What is the logical thinking behind this decision? Undervalued yes, but then they say that we’re so important we must be kept open - so why aren’t we having money thrown at us if we’re so vital? 6
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