Re opening of childcare

I have some questions that relate to the reopening of childcare facilities.

What are the plans for the reopening of nurseries considering children of this age cannot be expected to social distance.
If nurseries open fully prior to schools, what evidence will you have to say this is safe? If your stance is that children don't seem to catch the virus, what protection will be put in place for staff that can catch it, and are going home to their own families. How can you justify opening nurseries rather than schools when older children are more likely to be able to follow social guidance rules.
What policies and guidance will care inspec/local authorities draw up to detail how nursery staff will be protected during their day to day duties which include personal care, and being up close and personal with young children who routinely cough and sneeze without covering their mouths. As we are in a pandemic it seems unreasonable that how to manage this would be left up to individual managers.
Will nursery staff be expected to wear face masks, taking into account Nicola Sturgeons advice they should be worn. If the guidance will be that face masks are not needed, how will you justify this against the guidance previously given to the public to wear them.
What action will be taken with regard to parent complaints about nursery and school closures. Will headteachers and nursery managers (particularly from the private sector) have the added stress of interviews from the care inspectorate to justify decisions relating to COVID closures and fee retainers when they reopen.
What criteria will nurseries be given to “choose” which children can come in, if social distancing measures are in place and not all can attend. If only some can attend, then not all can be charged fees which means staff cannot be paid and private nurseries cannot survive as businesses.

Why the contribution is important

It raises some questions that childcare workers would like answered before we reopen

by Sarahj on May 05, 2020 at 02:16PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.1
Based on: 7 votes

Comments

  • Posted by J668 May 05, 2020 at 14:19

    People could actually look after their own children.

  • Posted by alileslie May 05, 2020 at 14:23

    There is current guidance in place for nurseries who are open for key worker children and this could be scaled up for those reopening to a wider population.
    There is no practical way to socially distance young children from each other the impact of doing so on children's emotional well being must be considered. Health and hygiene policy should be the way forward for under 5s, rather than any form of social distancing.

  • Posted by Louisethomson20 May 05, 2020 at 14:31

    I think we should consider a staggered return so there are reduced numbers of children in each setting. It would still support people working from home or at work if these are also run at staggered times...

  • Posted by Eileen May 05, 2020 at 14:51

    Think can learn and apply wider how nursery setting working for key workers - could this be used as a baseline

  • Posted by Pjs2020 May 05, 2020 at 17:39

    Impact of child care providers wearing masks and the impact that has on children needs to be fully considered too. It’s a physical barrier to communication. We cannot ask young children who can’t yet speak Properly to wear masks in a nursery environment either

  • Posted by Laura89 May 06, 2020 at 02:30

    I think health has to be at the forefront .
    The virus would spread like wildfire similar to a care home setting.
    It is outrageous to ask staff to look after children without ppe .

  • Posted by MairiMac3 May 06, 2020 at 15:05

    Let’s get nurseries with a focus on outdoors such as Forest School & Nature Kondergarten open safely to get parents who cannot work productively, & are really, really, really struggling - back to work. The risk is the least in our society from scientific evidence. No recorded evidence of transmission & children low risk. Outdoors a perfect solution!
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