Coronavirus (Covid-19)
These pages are for all staff working directly with children and families in an early years provision.
It is not intended to replace any guidance issued by the Government.
- Registered early years providers remain open during England's third national lockdown that began in January 2021. Read the guidance here.
- Ofsted will resume full graded EIF inspections in the early years from 4 May 2021. Read more here.
- Lateral flow testing is now available to anyone who works in an occupation related to a childcare provider, school, nursery or college, and their household, childcare and support bubbles. This includes childminders and wraparound care providers. Read the details here.
- The government has confirmed that early years providers, and other educators, will not be prioritised in the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out. Instead it will follow advice from the JCVI to continue prioritisation by age group. Read the full story.
- The government has outlined its plans for taking the country out of lockdown. From the 8 March wraparound childcare can reopen and other children’s activities can restart for all children where it is needed to enable parents to work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group. The full roadmap is available here.
The COVID-19 outbreak is an ever-evolving situation. This information will be updated regularly as things change.
Coronavirus helpline
The Department for Education has a helpline for early years providers, schools and colleges – as well as parents, carers and young people – who have questions about coronavirus.
If you have specific questions about the virus, you can contact the helpline on:
Call: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Key links
Business support
Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Self-employed Income Support Scheme
Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance for the charity sector
Financial support for your business during coronavirus (Covid-19)
Use of free early education entitlements funding during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Operational
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Local lockdowns: guidance for education and childcare settings
Local lockdown planning and decision making
Covid 19 - Early outbreak management
Action list PDF: What to do if a child is displaying symptoms of coronavirus
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Safe working in education, childcare and children's social care
Early years and childcare: Coronavirus Covid 19
Ofsted: Interim visits: registered early years providers
COVID-19: Cleaning of non-healthcare settings
Early Years Foundation Stage: Coronavirus disapplications
Criticial workers who can access schools or educational settings
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government's COVID-19 Recovery Strategy
Pastoral care
COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Health
Coronarvirus: latest information (Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England)
Coronavirus (2019-cCoV) (NHS)
COVID-19: guidance for supervised toothbrushing programmes in early years and school settings