Coronavirus (COVID-19): Childcare and play providers
Dear Colleague
We know this is a very stressful time for all childcare providers and we want to help alleviate concerns wherever we can.
We have been trying to keep you updated but things have been moving very quickly. We know the timing of the announcement on Friday afternoon about restricting childcare to children of critical workers was very difficult for people; we also know that government is working extremely hard to respond to an unprecedented situation. We ask for your tolerance.
It may be helpful to understand that decisions to close schools and re-focus childcare provision to support critical workers are not made by Care Inspectorate Wales. Whilst we are the regulator, we have to comply with government decisions and as we all know the situation is changing by the hour. I realise this has been frustrating for you.
As soon as we have advice from Welsh Ministers, we have shared this with you via our website and we will continue to do so, as well as keeping our frequently asked questions (FAQs) under review and updated. Some of the questions you pose – such as “why are Local Authorities each setting different criteria for key workers care” are not within our control. However, we will be highlighting these issues with government colleagues as we all work to provide the clarity you need.
If you have specific questions you would like answered please email these to our CIW Connect team at ciw@gov.wales. If we are able to answer your questions, we will do so. If the answers lie outside our remit we will forward the questions on as appropriate and let you know we have done so. We are currently receiving a high volume of emails and will respond as quickly as we can. We understand your frustration, but please do understand we are trying to support the adult social care sector too.
Whilst we monitor our social media channels we are unable to provide individual responses via Facebook or Twitter.
We have an area of CIW’s website dedicated to FAQs here:
Welsh Government has prepared frequently asked questions here:
Welsh Government keep these updated with any changes that is why we are signposting you to these from the CIW page.
Two of the main questions we are being asked are in relation to staff child ratios and numbers. We are not able to answer these yet but please be assured we are working with Welsh Government colleagues who are considering how regulations and national minimum standards may be amended to enable providers’ flexibility whilst still ensuring children are kept safe.
As soon as we have answers to these key issues, we will let you know.
Yours sincerely
Gillian Baranski
Chief Inspector
|
Hawlfraint y Goron / Copyright © 2020 Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru / Care Inspectorate Wales. Cedwir pob hawl / All rights reserved.
Help | Cysylltwch â ni / Contact Us
|
