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LOCAL GUIDANCE FOR EARLY YEARS AND

CHILDCARE – 12 May 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions

Contact us: childcare@hants.gov.uk

This guidance is subject to change and will be updated as further guidance is

received from the Cabinet Office and the Department for Education (DfE).

This FAQs sheet is for ALL childcare services.

What’s New?

1. Introduction New information regarding current situation and early years’ provision

reopening for all children on 01 June 2020.

1.1 Data Collection Newly created data collection table, outlining the data collection requirements

from provisions. 2. Vulnerable Children

Added information and letters to settings regarding the weekly vulnerable children return.

4.1 Hampshire Commitment to Early Years Education (EYE) Funding

Added information about headcount periods for Summer term, and information about Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund.

4.2 Funding Schemes Reminder that there may be other privately funded grant schemes available.

4.3 Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

Added information about the new Bounce Back Loan scheme. 4.4 Support for Charities and Social Enterprises

Included additional support information for providers within the charities and social enterprises sector.

6. Useful Links

Added links for the new guidance on reopening provisions from 01 June 2020 for both schools and parents. Added link to full recovery plan.

Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1

2. Vulnerable Children ............................................................................................ 2

3. Key Worker Coronavirus Testing ......................................................................... 4

4. Business Support ............................................................................................... 6

5. Business Operations......................................................................................... 12

6. Useful Links – including Additional Support ....................................................... 14

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1. Introduction On the 24 April 2020, the DfE updated their guidance for Early Years and Childcare

providers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-

years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-

closures

Please read this in full, along with our FAQs, prior to contacting Services for Young

Children via childcare@hants.gov.uk, as we are currently experiencing high volumes

of contact.

All settings and providers are reminded that the current DfE guidance states that settings and providers should remain open only to provide support to children of key workers and for vulnerable children:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-

on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-

vulnerable-children-and-young-people

Whilst other non-essential businesses may be reopening, childcare is currently still

only available to the workers outlined on the above list.

On Monday 11 May 2020, the Government released detailed guidance stating 01

June 2020 as the current working date for when all nurseries and other early years

providers, including childminders, will begin welcoming back all children. This date is

provisional and is subject to change based on scientific advice. The full guidance

regarding this can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-

settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-

childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020

This guidance is part of the Government’s wider Recovery Plan document, which

includes elements that supports early years and schools. The full document can be

read here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach

ment_data/file/884171/FINAL_6.6637_CO_HMG_C19_Recovery_FINAL_110520_v

2_WEB__1_.pdf

More detailed guidance is expected for our sector, and we will continue to update the

FAQs as quickly as possible as and when this is released.

1.1 *NEW INFORMATION* Data Collection

We are aware that there are various data collection requirements for childcare

providers, at the moment. To make it easier and clearer, we have created a quick

summary of these for you, including details of who needs to complete them and how

often.

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Data Collection

Frequency Purpose Who needs to complete?

CHILDMINDERS, PRIVATE VOLUNTARY INDEPENDENT & SCHOOLS SfYC daily return regarding children of key

workers and vulnerable children

Daily Data is being used by us to inform the DfE of how many early years children

are in care across the PVI and school-based sector, and so we can determine

how many settings are open/closed/dormant.

• All early years’ providers

• Nursery schools, pre-schools, childminders,

nursery units of ind. schools

• Maintained/governor-run nursery units of schools

• Schools providing for children younger than Year R

This form needs to be completed daily by all open settings. Closed and

dormant settings only need to complete once until they are reopened.

Vulnerable

children weekly return

Weekly To ensure we can monitor

the whereabouts of our most vulnerable children and families

Details of this return can

be found later on in these FAQs

Headcount Return for Keyworker /

Vulnerable Children

When completing funding

claim under Summer head count.

To confirm the actual key worker / vulnerable children attending those

settings claiming EYE funding so that funding can be correctly apportioned.

All open EYE providers who are claiming funding for Key Worker/Vulnerable

children as part of their Summer head count.

SCHOOLS ONLY

There are additional data collection requirements for all schools, and school -based provisions. These are being carried out by the DfE and Hampshire County Council

Children’s Services Schools Team. Details of these collections, can be found on Schools Comms. Specific communications can be found on SC017742 and SC017642.

Although there will be duplication in some of the total numbers, the data is being

used for a variety of purposes, so please do complete these returns where

applicable.

Thank you for all of the data you are providing to us at this time. Please do not

hesitate to contact us via childcare@hants.gov.uk if you have any queries or

concerns.

2. Vulnerable Children Please read the letter from the Secretary of State for Education, regarding

supporting attendance of vulnerable children and young people: Letter to childcare

sector from Secretary of State for Education

The Government has provided updated guidance about the role of childcare settings

and the role of the local authority in ensure that vulnerable children can access

childcare places: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-

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early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-

closures

As part of work to ensure that our most vulnerable children and families are receiving

the support they need, we have written to all settings asking them to provide

information about those children who are open to Social Care via a weekly return.

The information that has been sent to settings can be found here:

• Letter to early years providers regarding vulnerable children

• Vulnerable children weekly return instructions and FAQs

Extract from DfE guidance – Updated 21 April 2020:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-

closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures

How are vulnerable children defined?

The government encourages vulnerable children and young people to attend educational

settings unless they have underlying health conditions that put them at severe risk.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, vulnerable children are defined as those who:

• are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including

children who have a Child in Need Plan, a Child Protection Plan or who are a Looked

After Child;

• have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan whose needs cannot be met safely

in the home environment;

• have been assessed as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local

authorities (including children’s social care services), and who are therefore in need

of continued education provision. This might include children on the edge of receiving

support from children’s social care services, adopted children, or those who are

young carers, and others at the provider and local authority discretion.

There is an expectation that vulnerable children who are assessed as being in need under

section 17 of the Children Act 1989 will attend an early years’ setting. This is unless their

social worker decides they are less at risk at home than in their placement, for example, due

to underlying health conditions. The setting should follow up on non-attendance with the

parent/carer and social worker.

Children with an EHC Plan should be risk-assessed by settings in consultation with the local

authority and parents/carers. Where the risk assessment determines a child with an EHC

Plan will be safer at home, they should stay at home. Many children and young people with

EHC Plans can safely be supported at home. This could include, if necessary, carers,

therapists or clinicians visiting the home to provide any essential services.

Where the risk assessment determines a child with an EHC Plan will be as safe or safer in

an early years’ setting, they should attend the early years setting. If a child has been

determined to be as safe or safer at an early years’ setting but subsequently does not attend

the setting, the setting should follow up with the parent/carer and local authority.

Leaders of childcare settings and designated safeguarding leads should use their discretion

to encourage the attendance of otherwise vulnerable children that they, or other local

services, such as local authorities, feel would be safer by attending provision.

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Further detail on supporting vulnerable children is set out in the Coronavirus (COVID-19):

guidance on vulnerable children and young people.

What should happen to vulnerable children if their provider is closed?

Where the setting which vulnerable children usually attend is closed, the setting should notify

the local authority (and social worker, where relevant) that these vulnerable children need

alternative provision. Settings should work with the families of vulnerable children and local

authorities (and social workers, where relevant) to support this.

3. Key Worker Coronavirus Testing Following the Government announcement that wider community testing for the virus

would become available, a drive-in key worker testing centre for the wider

Hampshire area has opened at the Tipner Lorry Park, Portsmouth, PO2 8RA. Other

local sites are also likely to open over the coming weeks.

Testing symptomatic key workers, and those in their household, for the presence of

COVID-19 is important in helping to prevent unnecessary self-isolation, increasing

the number of people who can return to work to help maintain the delivery of critical

services.

3.1 Who is a key worker?

As a provider of approved early years education services you are considered as

contractors who support essential service provision, as per the definitions publicised

by the Local Resilience Forum – the body responsible for the co-ordination of testing

for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This also includes other childcare, support and

teaching staff, who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver

essential Key worker and vulnerable children places.

3.2 If I am a keyworker – can I get tested at any time?

No - you can only be tested if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are self-isolating because you have symptoms of COVID-19, and have had

them for less than five days

• You are self-isolating because a household member, (anyone over the age of

five), is symptomatic. In this case both you and all those in your household with

symptoms who have had them for less than five days are eligible for testing

It is important to note that if someone in your household with symptoms is between

5-18 years old, they will require a parent or guardian to perform the test in a self-test

bay at the Portsmouth site. Tests for the under 5s are not available.

Do remember that for a member of your household to be eligible for testing,

they must have symptoms. If not, people will be turned away at the testing centre.

The test only works on people with symptoms and is carried out to establish whether

the person has COVID-19. It is not an antibody test to identify if they have had, or

are immune to, the virus.

3.3 How do I book a test?

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Testing is by appointment only - there is no drop-in service. You can book a test

online – Once you have booked your test, please let your manager/business

owner/committee representative in your organisation know.

The site is open seven days a week, from 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm.

3.4 Do I need to take along anything specific when I have my test?

You will need to take a work ID that confirms you are an approved early years

provider with you to access the service. It may be advisable to also take some form

of photo ID e.g. driving licence or passport. If a member of your household is eligible

for a test, you will need to accompany them with your ID.

It would also be advisable to take a confirmation letter from your setting’s

management with you. This should provide the full address of the setting, clearly

state the OFSTED registration number, confirm that your setting is open and

delivering care to Key Worker/vulnerable children, and outline why the test is

required.

3.5 What will happen on the day?

Key workers and household members must arrive at the test centre in a car - it is not

possible to accommodate people via public transport, taxi or on foot. You must

always remain in your vehicle and will be asked to show your work identification

before admission to the testing area.

The actual process of being tested is very simple and only involves a single swab

being taken from both the throat and nose. It should take no more than 10 minutes –

but timings may vary depending on how busy the centre is.

For those accompanying a child or young person (5-18 years old), you will be given

a self-test kit and directed to a special bay.

3.6 When will results be received?

You should receive your results via text within 24 -72 hours.

You should ensure your line manager/supervisor and or business owner/committee

are notified that you are going for a test and notify them of the result. Once the result

is received, we recommend you have a discussion with your manager/business

owner to agree next steps/return to work. You should discuss with Services for

Young Children via childcare@hants.gov.uk if the result affects your ability to deliver

childcare services.

3.7 Are there other options available?

Nationally and locally, active steps are being taken to look at how we can make

testing available in other ways as we understand travelling by car to Portsmouth or

other sites may not be possible for everyone. Additional mobile testing facilities and

an increase in community testing is in the next phase of the national plan. More

information on this will be published shortly.

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4. Business Support 4.1 Hampshire Commitment to Early Years Education (EYE) Funding

The Government has provided revised guidance to provide local authorities some

flexibility on how they use their early years funding to support COVID-19

responses. In March we confirmed to you our approach regarding the summer term

Early Years Education funding, whereby we are paying providers for the children

they expected to be in provision during this unprecedented time. We are not making

a change to funding for the summer period and claims are being processed in the

usual way.

We are using our usual claiming processes for Summer, together with the usual

adjustment periods. The headcount dates for claiming funding are below:

PROVIDER PORTAL OPENING DATES Summer funding period: 1 April to 31 August 2020

PAYMENT EXPECTED TO BE MADE BY DATE

27 April – 4 May 22 May 15 – 19 June 17 July

3 – 7 Aug 28 August

We are now processing and identifying those children who have moved settings as a

result of the COVID-19 response, and will contact affected providers separately

regarding the amount of funding due to them.

On 28 April 2020 the DfE published its guidance regarding the use of free early

education entitlements funding.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-free-early-education-

entitlements-funding-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/use-of-free-early-education-

entitlements-funding-during-coronavirus-covid-19

We have reviewed this guidance and there is no change in how we will continue

to fund our childcare providers. We will continue to work in partnership with you in

order to ensure there are sufficient childcare places for the COVID-19 response, with

priority consideration for attendance of the most vulnerable children.

Where a setting is closed and there is a need for a vulnerable child to attend, we will

speak to the setting where they are enrolled in the first instance, and consider the

options for the setting to reopen, as it is better for the child to attend a provision they

already know. Where there is a newly identified vulnerable child not attending any

provision, they will be a new starter at the setting and claimed in the usual

adjustment periods.

Many non-school childcare providers have been able to participate in the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and have made their decisions based on the

relationship between the early years education funding and private fee income.

There is information towards the end of this guidance that will be helpful to you and

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the County Council in considering your future plans regarding the scheme and the

early years funding paid to you.

The County Council is required to pass through to providers 95% of all EYE funding

received. It does this through the base rate and agreed supplements for two, three

and four-year-old funding. In Hampshire, the County Council invests the remaining

5% back to the sector via inclusion and quality improvement support. To set the

budget, the Government uses the Early Years Census collected each spring. The

budget is set with a contingency to support the fluctuations in child attendance and

population changes therefore any contingency is part of a committed budget. There

is no ‘spare’ or unallocated EYE budget for the County Council to use to support

settings.

We hope this provides some further confidence that Hampshire is continuing to

support the sector as best it can in these difficult times.

Approved Early Years Providers can access the Special Educational Needs

Inclusion Fund (SENIF) for children with specific needs. Please review revised

information regarding how the fund will operate during COVID-19 restrictions:

https://documents.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/SfYC-SEN-Inclusion-Fund-

COVID-guidance.pdf

4.2 Funding Schemes

We urge providers to review their business base and see how Government schemes

might apply to them: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-

19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care/coronavirus-

covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care

The latest bulletin from the HMRC provides details of their previous webinars and

upcoming webinars that you can sign up to in order to get further information and ask

questions. This can be accessed here:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHMRCED/bulletins/288d313

Providers are also reminded that there may be other privately funded grants

available.

4.3 *NEW INFORMATION* Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

On 28 April 2020, the Government announced the Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

Scheme for small businesses. The scheme launched on 4 May 2020, and an

overview of the scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-

coronavirus-bounce-back-loan

Further information can be found on the British Business Bank website:

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-

interruption-loan-schemes/bounce-back-loans/

The scheme is not open to state-funded schools. You cannot apply if you are already

claiming under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS),

however you may be able to transfer the loan into the Bounce Back Loan scheme.

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4.4 *NEW INFORMATION* Support for Charities and Social Enterprises

There is additional support available for those providers in the charity and social

enterprise sector. A resource hub can be found here:

https://www.goodfinance.org.uk/covid-19-resource-hub-charities-social-enterprises

Details of a Resilience and Recovery Loan fund for this sector can be found here:

https://www.sibgroup.org.uk/resilience-and-recovery-loan-fund

4.5 Business Interruption Insurance

Government guidance regarding business interruption insurance has been updated,

so we would encourage all providers to check with their insurance companies to

determine whether they are now eligible to claim in light of the current guidance.

Extract from DfE Guidance (last updated 24 April 2020):

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-

closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures

“Business interruption insurance

For childcare providers which have a policy that covers government-ordered closure and

unspecified notifiable diseases, the government’s social distancing instructions are sufficient

to allow businesses to make a claim against their insurance, provided the other terms and

conditions in their policy are met.”

4.6 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Please be aware that, as with the guidance to our sector, the Government has been

working with banks and financial institutions where guidance has also been

changing. National media (BBC 23.4.2020) is suggesting changes in eligibility criteria

and more banks offering the scheme, so please refer to your bank or any other bank

if you consider this may be a helpful solution.

4.7 The Business Rate Relief for Nurseries

We are aware that our local district, borough, and city councils have started to

implement and issue the Business Rate Relief schemes.

What is it?

The Business Rate Relief for Nurseries will see eligible providers paying no business

rates for the 2020/21 financial year. It applies to providers operating from properties

which are in the business rates system and where they would pay business rates

usually. In addition, eligible providers must be on Ofsted’s Early Years Register and

wholly or mainly use the property for the provision of the Early Years Foundation

Stage.

How will I access this?

District, borough and city councils are responsible for identifying those eligible

providers through their business rates system. They are currently working through

their records and will be in contact with you directly either by e-mail or post. If you

believe you are eligible and have not heard for your local business rates team by 30

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April, you should contact them directly to discuss. The Government guidance

regarding this can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-nursery-is-eligible-for-business-rates-

relief-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19

4.8 The Small Business Grant Fund

What is it?

The Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) will support those businesses in England in

receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) in the business rates system. This

will be a one-off grant payment of £10,000.

How do I claim it?

In some instances, district, borough and city councils have been contacting those

providers who are eligible, as they can be identified by the rateable value of their

property being less than £15,000 per year. The rateable value is not the amount

providers pay. We recommend that providers check with their local council rates

office if they believe they may be eligible to receive this grant. Providers should first

visit their local council website as some councils are asking providers to complete an

online form to apply for this grant. The Government guidance regarding this can be

found here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach

ment_data/file/878082/small-business-grant-and-retail-leisure-hospitality-grant-

guidance-for-businesses-v2.pdf

These are the email addresses for the local council business rates offices.

District E-mail Address

Fareham businessrates@fareham.gov.uk

Gosport Businessrates@gosport.gov.uk

Havant havant.businessrates@secure.capita.co.uk

Basingstoke localtax@basingstoke.gov.uk

rates@basingstoke.gov.uk

New Forest mailto:nndr@nfdc.gov.uk

Eastleigh revbens@eastleigh.gov.uk

Winchester businessrates@winchester.gov.uk

East Hants revenues@easthants.gov.uk

Hart hart.businessrates@secure.capita.co.uk

Rushmoor localtax@rushmoor.gov.uk

Test Valley businessrates@testvalley.gov.uk

4.9 Furlough / Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

(Extracted and adapted from briefing note from Hempsalls 22/04/2020: www.hempsalls.com)

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On Friday 17 April 2020, the Government released specific information for the early

years and childcare sector. The full guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-

for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-

support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care.

This guidance sets out the financial support that is available for different types of

education, early years and children’s social care providers in England. This section

of the FAQ is specific for early years PVI providers and maintained nursery

schools. School-based nursery provision should refer to Hampshire School

Communications for specific guidance.

The early years section of the new guidance confirms that a private provider should

only furlough employees, and therefore seek support through the CJRS, if they meet

the following conditions:

• the employee works in an area of business where services are temporarily not

required and where their salary is not covered by public funding

• the employee would otherwise be made redundant or laid off

• the employee is not involved in delivering provision that has already been

funded (free entitlement funding)

• where appropriate) the employee is not required to deliver provision for a child

of a critical worker and/or vulnerable child

• the grant from the CJRS would not be duplicative to other public grants

received and would not lead to financial reserves being created.

If it is difficult to distinguish whether staff are funded through free entitlement or

private income for the purposes of meeting the first three conditions as listed above,

then an early years provider can access the CJRS to help cover the proportion of its

pay bill which would be considered to have been paid for from the provider’s private

income.

This would typically be income received from ‘parent-paid’ hours and excludes all

income from the Government funding, such as through early years education

funding, for all age groups. For clarity, the Government guidance calls this “DSG

funding”. The guidance includes an illustration of how this would work in practice.

The data which providers submitted via the Early Years Census can be used to

identify the proportions of provision and determine the attendance of children beyond

the Early Years Education funded hours. Please do contact us via

childcare@hants.gov.uk if you require further support in this regard.

The guidance states that local authorities will need to inform providers of an

indicative termly budget share for this purpose. Information about Early Years

funding streams paid to you can be accessed from the Provider Portal, under

“Headcount” and then “Payment History”.

It was also announced on the same day that the furlough scheme will continue until

30 June 2020. The option to extend the scheme further is being retained by

Government.

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Guidance has been created to assist businesses in calculating 80% of employee

wages to help claim through the CJRS: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-80-of-

your-employees-wages-to-claim-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

4.10 Can staff undertake training whilst furloughed?

Extract from Government guidance – updated 20 April 2020:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-

scheme

“Furloughed employees can engage in training, as long as in undertaking the training the

employee does not provide services to, or generate revenue for, or on behalf of their

organisation or a linked or associated organisation. Furloughed employees should be

encouraged to undertake training.

“Where training is undertaken by furloughed employees, at the request of their employer,

they are entitled to be paid at least their appropriate national minimum wage for this time. In

most cases, the furlough payment of 80% of an employee’s regular wage, up to the value of

£2,500, will provide sufficient monies to cover these training hours. However, where the time

spent training attracts a minimum wage entitlement in excess of the furlough payment,

employers will need to pay the additional wages….”

4.11 I am concerned about the long-term sustainability of my business in

respect of my current financial situation as a result of COVID-19 Response.

What should I do?

We are aware that circumstances currently present different business challenges.

If you have explored all of the financial support options provided by the Government,

have looked at ways to reduce your operational costs and other income streams at

this difficult time, and are still concerned about the longer term viability of keeping

your business running during this COVID-19 response period, then please contact us

via childcare@hants.gov.uk so that we can help you explore this further.

In line with this, please note we are continuing to raise the issues that providers are

experiencing to central Government in order to find practical solutions as this

unprecedented period develops.

4.12 Am I allowed to request parents pay fees whilst I am closed?

Decisions on the retention of parent fees will need to be a balanced negotiation

between the childcare setting and parent based on the terms of the commercial

contract between you both. Government guidance states that providers must be fair

and balanced in dealing with parents. This is particularly pertinent when dealing with

parents who are key workers and will need to source care elsewhere whilst providing

vital front-line support should your setting be closed.

Please consider that for Key Worker parents who are required to source alternative

childcare as a result of a closure, it is often not affordable for them to pay twice for

the same hours and therefore we would ask the closed/dormant setting to please try

to accommodate their needs in this regard such as waiving any charges whilst you

are closed.

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5. Business Operations 5.1 Tips to show your community you will still be there for childcare when we

are through the COVID-19 crisis

• Update your website with key information in preparation for September

• Display photos of what is on offer from your setting with regard to the EYFS

• Where possible create a virtual tour of the space, including outdoor areas

• Ensure your business Facebook page and other social media are up to date

• Include parent testimonials and children’s words/pictures of why they like the

setting

• Highlight staff skills, qualifications and experiences i.e. supporting children with

specific SEN needs

• Make your setting available virtually if parents need help in filling in forms etc.

5.2 Services for Young Children Calendar of Events

Providers can now view information about forthcoming briefings and events, in easy

to read calendar format on the SfYC website.

This can be accessed from the home page clicking on the ’Services for Young

Children Calendar of Events’ tile, or directly from:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/childcare/provider

s/events

Currently forthcoming webinar Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding Support meetings

and Provider Briefings are listed. Book now for events starting from the 18 May.

5.3 Am I allowed to use online video communication tools to interact and teach

children at this time?

Prior to implementing this method of engaging with children, please ensure that you

have the parent/carer’s permission, and that any app you are using is secure. You

should also satisfy yourself that this does not contravene anything in your own IT

policy if you have one.

You should also familiarise yourself with the Governments guidance for staying safe

online at this time: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-staying-safe-online

While noting the guidance, education settings are asked to share this guidance and

the other sources of advice and guidance below, with parents and carers please.

Helping children and young people to stay safe while online is a perpetual challenge

for parents and carers and even more so when the amount of time spent online

increases. The benefits of being able to connect with each other via the internet and

using the latest technology are enormous. However, with this comes a risk that

exposure to cyberbullying, disinformation and grooming is greater with children and

young people using the internet, unsupervised, for both education and entertainment

while schools are closed and everyone is being asked to #StayAtHome to help

prevent the spread of Covid-19. in helping to avert any threat to a child or young

person’s safety.

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One of the most effective methods of keeping young people safe online is to raise

awareness. This can be done by having conversations about what online activities

the children and young people are engaging in and the safeguards they are taking.

The national guidance recommends reviewing security and safety settings, checking

facts and guarding against disinformation, being vigilant against fraud and scams,

and managing the amount of time spent online.

Online safety guidance, advice and resources are also available from the County

Council for parents, carers, young people and professionals within schools (includes

resources about relevant online issues):

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildr

en/onlinesafetyguide

5.4 Cleanliness, Hygiene and Infection Control

Please ensure you are following the DfE guidance on implementing social distancing

in education and childcare settings:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-

social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-

implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings

This includes information about Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and how

additional PPE is not required in educational settings:

Extract from DfE Guidance – 7 April 2020:

“The scientific advice indicates that educational staff do not require personal protective

equipment…..Childcare practitioners do not need PPE. They should care for children as

normal, although increasing the frequency of handwashing (and always doing so before and

after, for example, feeding children or changing nappies) and cleaning of surfaces and toys.

Soft toys should not be shared between children. If a child displays symptoms of coronavirus

(COVID-19), they should not come to the setting, or should be sent home with their

parents/carers if symptoms arise during the day. Staff should clean as normal after this.”

The guidance is clear that children should only not be attending settings if they are

symptomatic or part of a household that is self-isolating. Children should not be

refused care on the basis that a parent may be coming into contact with the disease

at work.

We would also like to draw your attention back to the Government guidance on

health protection in schools and other childcare facilities:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-

childcare-facilities

This whole guide provides important information concerning infectious diseases in

childcare settings, with specific sections on “Prevention and Control” and “Cleaning

the Environment”.

There is further guidance available for cleaning settings where there has been a

suspected case of COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-

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decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-

healthcare-settings

6. Useful Links – including Additional Support The Government guidance is being updated regularly. Some key links have been

posted below. All Government guidance is held on: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

We advise you to sign up for updates on specific topics via Gov.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/email-signup?link=/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-

19-uk-government-response

Guidance Link

General Government Coronavirus Guidance Documents

Guidance on maintaining educational provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Actions for education and

childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 01 June 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020

Information for parents and carers about re-opening schools and

settings from 01 June 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/reopening-schools-and-other-educational-settings-from-1-june

The Government’s Rebuild Strategy

Document

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/884171/FINAL_6.6637_CO_HMG_C19_Recovery_FINAL_110520_v2_WEB__1_.pdf

Guidance for early years and childcare providers

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-free-early-education-entitlements-funding-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Guidance on vulnerable children and young people

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people

Guidance for safeguarding

in schools and other settings.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers

Guidance for implementing social

distancing in education and childcare settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings

Guidance for cleaning of settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings

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Guidance for staying at home if your household

has possible symptoms

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

Guidance for shielding vulnerable groups from

Covid-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Guidance on managing school premises, which are partially open, during

the coronavirus outbreak

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-school-premises-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/managing-school-premises-which-are-partially-open-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Business Support, Information & Advice

Government information regarding support available to business

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care

Guidance on how to calculate 80% of wages

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-80-of-your-employees-wages-to-claim-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Government Business

Support FAQs https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/faqs/

Government guide to the nursery business rates

discount available

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-rates-nursery-childcare-discount-2020-to-2021-coronavirus-response-local-authority-guidance

Government’s Tax Helping to support businesses

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

Government’s advice

regarding Statutory Sick Pay

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-back-statutory-sick-pay-paid-to-employees-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19

Government advice for

employees https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees

Government Information for Charities

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission

Business Hampshire Guide

https://businesshampshire.co.uk/support/covid-19-support/

Information for Voluntary and Community groups

www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus

Business Support Campaign – 5 Steps to take today

https://industrialstrategy.frontify.com/d/55EzeVU6rhza/covid-19-business-support#/overview/5-steps-to-take-today

Services for Young Children will keep providers up to date with any Hampshire

County Council specific guidance appropriate to the overall stage and response to

the situation. You can find this on the ‘Latest News’ section on the SfYC website: https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/childcare/providers

In addition, keep up to date with any SfYC Provider Blog Bulletins, information that is

published and available on the SfYC website and sent directly to your email.

Services for Young Children (SfYC) Inclusion support

during the period of social distancing

Setting Support: info for settings

Setting support will be available through four approaches:

1. Digital support: inclusion resources will be uploaded to the Moodle (online

learning platform for settings to self-access). The SfYC website is also helpful

for news updates. https://sfyctraining.hants.gov.uk/

https://www.hants.gov.uk/childcare

2. Phones surgeries: InCos will be available between 9am and 12pm each

morning on their mobiles. No need to book; just call. Phone calls will last 30

mins max.

3. Follow up calls and video surgeries: During the morning phone surgeries

InCos will agree with individual settings if a longer follow up call or a video

conference is required. They will agree a time to carry this out in the

afternoon.

4. Training: Moodle has been updated to include self-access materials. In

addition to this, all Inclusion training which has been scheduled to be

delivered before 24 April 2020 will still go ahead but will be delivered via

Webinars. Details on the course being run and how to access a webinar are

here https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/home.php?cat=426

Portage Support: info for parents

Portage support will be available through 4 approaches:

1. Initial support for new Portage referrals will be carried out by Inclusion Team

Leaders (ITLs) via phone calls. ITLs will manage these directly following the

receipt of online referrals (please see

www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/childcare/develop

mentconcerns/portageservice for details on how to refer). ITLs will have

consent to call parents from the signed referral form. When ITLs contact

parents, they will ask you for verbal permission for information and data

storage etc and request that you send a follow up email to confirm your

consent

2. Portage Home Visitors (PHVs) will not carry out home visits until further notice

for their caseload. However, PHVs will provide one-hour phone or

WhatsApp video support (TBC) at the same frequency as they would have

carried out home visit (unless parents do not wish for this)

3. PHVs have access to a wide range of activities which can be shared with

you to do with your child/ren

4. In cases where a family is on the Portage list, but your child is due to start

school this September, we will ask a PHV to contact you to begin phone or

WhatsApp (TBC) support