With you, with the child. Every step of the way.
Broadcast for Early Years and childcare providers in West Sussex from West Sussex County Council - Early Help Service
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Monday 23 March 2020
Firstly, we would like to thank all of the settings who have completed the online survey over the weekend, which is now closed. This is currently being analysed to give us a clear picture of what provision we have open to care for vulnerable children and children of key workers.
FIS website / public list
We will use the information provided to update our database and the Family Information Service (FIS) website as follows:
- Any setting who has informed us they are closed will be temporarily removed from our public list and website so that the FIS can broker childcare for key workers.
- If your setting was closed but then re-opens, you will be re-instated on the website.
- If you find you do need to close when you had hoped to be open you will be temporarily removed from the website.
It is therefore extremely important that if your setting’s circumstances change that you inform the FIS immediately. Please keep us updated by emailing family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk
We are working hard to ensure that the FIS is the key source of information for key workers to know which settings are currently open. If you are aware of parents who meet the key worker criteria but the setting that the child attends is not able to remain open, please use the Brokerage letter. They can email us on family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk or they can call 01243 777807 specifying they need childcare as they are a key worker.
Note that even if a parent is a key worker, children should be kept home where possible. This flowchart may help you have those discussions.
We are also creating an online form to support the childcare brokerage process and as soon as this is live we will let you know where parents can access it on the West Sussex County Council website.
Social distancing and hygiene
For those settings remaining open to provide childcare for key workers and vulnerable children, please remember that social distancing guidance still applies to children. We appreciate this may be rather tricky to manage so would also encourage that good hygiene practices are in place. For example:
- Plenty of hand washing
- Cleaning of toys at the end of the session/day
- Creating space between children at meal times
- Consider any activities that may not support social distancing, such as circle time
Free Entitlement funding, Inclusion funding, and business rates
Work is underway to investigating the simplest way to ensure you continue to receive your Free Entitlement funding, and Inclusion funding where applicable, whilst accounting for the potential movement of children. Again, as soon as this has been identified and whether or not any specific paperwork may be required, this will be communicated to you via these Covid-19 broadcasts.
We have also received guidance from the Government about business rate discounts for the Nurseries. Please read this guidance and check if this applies to your premises.
Links to our most recent COVID-19 setting updates:
20/3 Update 4 (Information for partners)
20/3 Update 3 (FAQs)
20/3 Update 2 (survey)
19/3 Update 1
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