Govt. guidance on children returning to nurseries

Here’s the latest guidance on whether children should or should not attend Nursery:

The following principles will apply to the wider opening of settings:

  • children should not attend if they have symptoms or are self-isolating due to symptoms in their household
  • all children who normally access childcare are strongly encouraged to attend so that they can gain the educational and wellbeing benefits of early education
  • vulnerable children continue to be encouraged to attend where it is appropriate for them to do so (for children with education health and care (EHC) plans this will be informed by a risk assessment approach), further details on vulnerable children can be found below
  • children who have been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable due to pre-existing medical conditions have been advised to shield and should not attend
  • children who are clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19). Few if any children will fall into this category, but parents should follow medical advice if their child is in this category
  • children who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable), including those who are pregnant, can attend settings
  • children who are too young to be able to understand and adhere to instructions on stringent social distancing and live in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding are advised not to attend a setting

Can children go to two different settings?

Children should attend just one setting wherever possible and parents should be encouraged to minimise as far as possible the number of education and childcare settings their child attends.