Early years leaders call on government to set 'clear consistent' rules regarding self isolation

Early years leaders and providers are calling on the government to set "clear, consistent guidance" following the government's change to the rules on removal of bubbles, tracking coronavirus cases and self-isolation.

From 19 July, all nurseries and early years providers are no longer expected to undertake contact tracing. Close contacts will be identified via NHS Test and Trace. Contacts will only be traced by NHS Test and Trace where the positive case specifically identifies the individual as being a close contact.

The easing of restrictions also means it is no longer necessary to keep children in bubbles. The updated guidance states ‘bubbles will not need to be used for any summer provision or in settings from the autumn term. However, changes to self-isolation rules for children and double-vaccinated adults don’t come into effect until 16 August.

Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive, said: "The easing of Covid restrictions should have been a positive development for the early years sector. Instead we now have a situation where many providers aren’t sure what the current rules are, how they will work in practice and what exactly they need to be doing to continue keeping themselves, their colleagues and the children in their care safe.

"The requirement to keep children in small, consistent groups ended on 19 July, and yet changes to self-isolation rules for children and double-vaccinated adults don’t come into effect until 16 August. At the same time, providers have been told that they no longer need to take responsibility for routine tracing at their settings, without any clear explanation of how this will work in practice.

"The early years sector has demonstrated remarkable dedication, resilience and professionalism during one of the most challenging periods of living memory – but if they are to be able to continue doing the excellent job they have been doing, they need clear, consistent guidance from the government, and they need it now."

'The government must rethink the self isolation rules'

The LEYF and the National Day Nurseries Association are calling for the government to make fully vaccinated nursery workers exempt from the NHS Test and Trace Covid app if they come into contact with a confirmed case.

On Monday, speaking virtually at a Downing Street news briefing from self-isolation at Chequers, the prime minister said a "very small number" of critical workers including hospital and care home staff, those working in key transport roles and those involved in food production will be exempt from self-isolating and would be allowed to use daily testing instead provided they are fully vaccinated.

Those not exempt from the list must still self-isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

June O’Sullivan chief executive of LEYF said: "Nurseries are the lifeline in keeping people in work and the economy afloat which is why the government must rethink the self isolation rules by allowing fully vaccinated nursery workers to be exempt from the Covid app if they come into contact with a confirmed case and take a daily PCR test for seven days instead. "Whilst the health and safety of our workforce and children is our number one priority, it’s absurd that the majority of those who have been 'pinged' are not infected which is causing havoc in public services, key industries and education.

During the height of the pandemic, nurseries across the UK made huge sacrifices to support the NHS and keep key workers fully operational.

Despite this, Ms O'Sullivan said that the government's Covid stance has been a "shambles in the past few days with no clear guidance for the sector."

If Mr Johnson is serious about his predicted "dynamism" of England's cities returning "remarkably quickly" once workers return to offices, this will not be possible if the country is left without childcare during a summer of discontent."

Nursery workers 'must be included in any plans to reduce self-isolation to support young children'

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the NDNA, said: Nurseries and their staff are "crucial to our educational and economic recovery.

According to research published by NDNA, it showed that over the winter months, three quarters of nurseries had to close at least one room at least once during that time because of positive Covid cases.

Ms Tanuku said: "Numbers of cases are soaring again which will result in more nurseries having to close rooms not just for positive cases but for a lack of early years practitioners because so many are having to isolate themselves.

“They must be included in any plans to reduce self-isolation in order to support young children in their development and enable their parents to work.

To read our advice regarding Step 4 Covid guidance: Childcare and nursery bubbles click here

click here for more details or to contact Early Years Alliance