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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Tuesday 24 March 2020
We are sure you are all now well aware of the Prime Minister's announcement last night (23/03/20) about everyone needing to stay at home wherever possible. The new guidance states:
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
- Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
The Government have asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and for childcare providers (including nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and providers of childcare for school-age children), schools and colleges to remain closed, except for those children who absolutely need to attend.
All educational settings remain safe for children, but the fewer children making the journey to educational settings, and the fewer children in these settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.
All childcare providers are therefore being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable, and children whose parents are critical to the coronavirus (Covid-19) response and cannot be safely cared for at home.
In West Sussex we have been overwhelmed by the number of settings who have remained open which we really appreciate.
Today we have received the latest information from government which should answer many of the questions we have been receiving from you:
Please ensure that you keep the Family Information Service informed of your current status by emailing family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk
Ofsted have announced that at this time, you do not need to let them know if you are closed due to Covid-19. However, do please inform Ofsted if you plan to resign your registration by emailing enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk and include your EY number.
There is also new information (within Parliament's Coronavirus Bill here) for people who are self-employed which will be relevant to many in the early years and childcare sector.
We have been compiling regular Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on a daily basis which have been sent to you as soon as we are able. We will not be sending today’s FAQs as the link to the information from central Government above answered the vast majority of your questions. We hope that our FAQs have been supportive to you in your decision making but please bear with us if some of your questions are yet to be answered. We are working as quickly as we possibly can to keep you informed and really appreciate your patience. It is so important that in these difficult times to be kind to each other as we will only get through this by pulling together.
Links to our most recent Covid-19 setting updates:
Note: previous FAQs we have supplied are still available on the links below, but ensure that you refer to the latest Government information above which includes FAQs.
23/3 Update 6 (FAQs and Record of Attendance template)
23/3 Update 5 (survey returns, social distancing for children and nursery rates guidance)
20/3 Update 4 (Information for partners)
20/3 Update 3 (FAQs)
20/3 Update 2 (survey)
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