Government updates
For Parents
Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in 2021.
Change made: updated information about tracing and isolation and travelling to boarding schools.
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings.
Change made: added section on ‘tracing and self-isolation’ to explain that children under 18 do not need to self-isolate if they’re identified by NHS Track and Trace as a contact.
COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people
Information for eligible children and young people on COVID-19 vaccination.
Change made: added consent form.
For Early Years and Childcare Providers
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Change made: we have removed outdated term references, removed the guidance on routine vaccines and teething. The local outbreaks, mixing, tracing close contacts and self-isolation and face coverings sections were also updated.
Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) in education and childcare settings
What measures education and childcare settings should be prepared to introduce to manage coronavirus (COVID-19).
Change made: we have updated the contingency framework ahead of the autumn term, in line with wider government guidelines. The updated framework includes the new thresholds at which you might consider seeking public health advice and taking further action to reinforce measures already in place, updates to the circumstances in which local health protection teams or directors of public health might recommend you introduce some additional measures, and annexed guidance for managing cases in settings from 23 August.
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Change made: updated information on CO2 monitors in the ‘Control measures: Keep occupied spaces well ventilated’ section. Added section on ‘tracing and self-isolation’ to explain that children under 18 and fully vaccinated adults do not need to self-isolate if they’re identified by NHS Track and Trace as a contact.
Reported coronavirus (COVID-19) notifications by registered early years and childcare settings
This data is published fortnightly. It gives the number of registered early years and childcare providers reporting one or more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) by week.
Change made: Added data for weeks beginning 26 July and 2 August.
OFSTED
Early years inspection handbook
Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.
Change made: moved the current handbook (which applies from 1 September 2021) to the top of the page. Clarified the period covered by the previous handbook.
Gathering additional evidence to secure an incomplete inspection
Ofsted’s protocol on arrangements for gathering further evidence if an inspection is incomplete.
Change made: The policy has been updated to give further clarification on the steps that will be taken if we decide that a further visit is necessary to gather additional evidence to complete the inspection.