Key early years membership associations join forces to protect the sustainability of the sector

▤ Summary

This is as a result of the government decision to ask early years settings to remain open during this latest national lockdown but instructing schools to close. Together, they have launched the #ProtectEarlyYears campaign, and are asking the government to do the following: • Prioritise those working in early years and childcare for Covid-19 vaccinations • Roll-out mass asymptomatic testing at all early years and childcare settings • Reinstate early entitlement funding support for settings who have been forced to close or have seen a fall in the demand for funded places • Introduce targeted funding for providers reliant on private income who have suffered from falls in parental demand The organisations are asking the government to provide “clear scientific evidence” on the risk implications of staying open for early years and childcare practitioners, particularly in light of the increased transmissibility of the new variant of Covid-19, including data on current transmission rates in early years and childcare settings. Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA, said: “The Government is asking early years providers to go above and beyond in this lockdown and we know there is a great amount of determination among nurseries to support children and families at this challenging time. “Early years and childcare providers have been a vital pillar of support for so many families throughout the pandemic but the latest restrictions have left them and their staff between a rock and a hard place. We need better financial support, not just for settings that have to close but for the many who decide to continue to provide services despite the risks and the significantly reduced numbers of children in attendance.

▦ Linked Companies

Parenta

$1M to $5M