 During the Christmas holidays we are aware that parents may need to inform you if their child has tested positive, or you may need to inform them if a staff member tests positive during this time. If you need any assistance with this during the holiday period please contact Mindy.Butler@Portsmouthcc.gov.uk and you will receive a prompt response. It will be important that this information is shared in order that people can self-isolate if necessary as per the government guidelines.
 As a team we are fully aware of the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on providers and that you continue to face many ongoing challenges. We wanted to ensure that we explored all options for financial support to underpin the sustainability of the whole childcare market across the city. You may have read in The News recently about our proposal to Schools Forum to award early years providers a 'one off' COVID-19 additional grant. The proposal was that group based providers would receive a grant payment of £2,700 each and childminders a payment of £500 each.
We are happy to be able to tell you that Schools Forum endorsed the proposal to pay the grant and the Cabinet Member will approve the decision on 16 December. There are no actions for you to complete and we hope to be able to process these grants so that you receive them early in the spring term.
 You may also have seen in the national news that councils have been given new funding to ensure vulnerable households do not go hungry or without essential items. The COVID Winter Grant Scheme, to support children and families, is being rolled out to schools before the end of term and we are working with our colleagues to explore how we can get this support to those with younger children. Due to the very tight timeframe this is likely to be in the new year and we will share more details with you once we have them.
 Unfortunately, due to a system upgrade there is a change to the published dates.
We will now issue the spring term actual headcount task to all providers via the Provider Portal between 19 January and 1 February 2021.
We will also issue the annual Early Years Census via Survey Monkey between 19 January and 1 February 2021. Submission for both will be 1 February 2021.
 We appreciate all of your hard work over this extraordinary year - you have kept childcare going throughout these difficult times and enabled our most vulnerable children to be protected and our working parents have been able to carry on knowing their children are safe and well cared for. You are our Portsmouth Early Years Heroes - THANK YOU!
Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you all in 2021!
|
