Dennie

I also wanted to add that our committee are looking to recruit a new manager and are finding it difficult to assess what level of pay they should offer for the role, which will also involve all the admin. Our setting is a community group, open 38 weeks a year, in line with the school terms. Many of the roles advertised are for day care settings open all year round, so it is difficult to compare like with like. Are there any members here with a similar dilemma? Many thanks and apologies for jumping on your topic Finleysmaid. The forum seems so quiet these days.

Sorry to see there are no replies yet, so just adding my support. Our committee are also dealing with the same issue at the moment, while grappling with rising costs. Current level 3s will be below minimum wage come April so will need an increase, and we also need some recommendations for all staff from unqualified up to manager. We would value some suggestions if anyone is willing to share. I have asked similar questions via the forum in the past and I'm aware it is a recurring issue in our sector, as there is no formal pay structure.

We use Capita for DBS staff checks. Only the manager, nominated person and committee member DBS checks go through the Ofsted nominated portal.

If you use Tapestry there is a free webinar next Wednesday at 7pm which will address using Tapestry against the new EYFS framework.

The parent has decided to keep the child off now anyway but I don't know if they are having them tested or just isolating. Sadly parents are choosing not to test and even when I phoned the helpline last week I was told as long as the child isolates that is fine. That isn't going to pick up true case numbers though.

I've now been advised that unless there are any other Covid symptoms or anyone else in the household is unwell, if the child is well they should be allowed to return once the 48 hours are up. As there are so many different Covid symptoms I can't say that I feel particularly comfortable about this.

I was wondering if anyone has had any Covid-19 cases which started with nausea and sickness. We had a staff member with this over Christmas and they ultimately tested positive. I'm now a bit concerned as we had to send a child home who was physically sick this week. Usually we would do the keep away for at least 48 hour advice, but with virus levels still high I'm wondering if we ought to be more cautious.

We have just been reimbursed straight into our bank account. It only took about a week for the payment to come through.

We paid a member of staff SSP from day one of the staff member's isolation due to her exposure to Covid-19. Our payroll lady says this SSP can also be claimed back.

Well our attendance looks to be creeping up again and no one appears particularly concerned about the current situation. We have had to persuade one parent to keep their child at home. The parent reported a raised temperature but was going to bring the child in the following morning if they were 'better'.

So if a setting only has funded children and doesn't qualify for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as a result, presumably they will have no choice but to make staff redundant to avoid closure.

I'm in a committee setting. As committee members are not usually employees I'm not sure they can be used in ratios. I would ask the Early Years Alliance for advice and clarification. I realise that there have been relaxations due to Covid-19 but would definitely check the latest legal requirements with a professional body.

We also use Capita.

Thank you for your thoughts everyone. I do feel that younger staff should not be penalised for being younger and agree with Finleysmaid that they might actually be more experienced. I think it is important for our committee to take all this on board in making future decisions. I do appreciate the feedback as I can take all of this back to the next meeting. Parent committees come and go annually and members certainly need support in addressing such a key issue.

I do not deal with pay, but I'm asking on behalf of our committee. For level 2 and level 3 staff with exactly the same roles and responsibilities do you pay exactly the same rate to each level 2 and each level 3, or do you pay slightly less to workers under the age of 25 in line with the NLW and NMW bands? Currently we don't have any younger team members but the committee are considering what would be appropriate for any future appointments.