Government updates
Asymptomatic testing update
The Government announced on 21st February 2022 that staff and students/children in all mainstream education settings (including PVI and maintained nurseries) are no longer advised to undertake twice weekly asymptomatic testing. You will no longer need to distribute test kits to your staff for regular testing. Updated guidance was published on 21 February which can be found in the Testing in Education Settings document sharing platform.
You may need to resume regular testing in the event of an outbreak within your setting but should only do so following advice and agreement with a Director of Public Health or local Health Protection Team. Further information regarding this is in the contingency framework. If you are experiencing an outbreak you should agree what measures you are taking with your Director of Public Health or local Health Protection Team before placing any orders. They will help your setting to decide who should test, how frequently and for how long. Settings should keep a record of discussions with local authority / health contacts, and be ready to provide information about the additional testing measures that have been agreed.
Staff in all settings can access test kits from their local pharmacy or by ordering on gov.uk if required.
Childcare providers no longer required to tell Ofsted about confirmed COVID-19 cases
From 21 February, childcare providers do not have to notify Ofsted of any COVID-19 cases at their setting, whether in staff or children.
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) pandemic. Change made: we’ve updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
Childcare: reporting children’s accidents and injuries
Find out whether you need to tell Ofsted about an accident, injury or illness a child suffers while in your care
Change made: we’ve updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
Ofsted updates:
Early years inspection handbook
Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.
Reported COVID-19 notifications by registered early years and childcare settings
Data on the number of registered early years and childcare providers reporting one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19. Added data for weeks beginning 10, 17, 24 and 31 January.
Consented addresses for childminders and domestic childcare
This report details the names and addresses for childminders and childcare on domestic premises, where the provider has consented for their name and address to be published on the Ofsted inspection report website. Updated consented addresses for childminders and domestic childcare as at 31 January 2022.
Ofsted Parent View: management information
Management information published 3 times a year in the interests of transparency. Change made: Parent View management information as at 3 January 2022 published.
Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March 2020 and early years settings since Thursday 16 April 2020. Change made: added ‘Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: 23 March 2020 to 10 February 2022’.
A summary of attendance in education settings up to 10 February 2022. Change made: First published.
Additional actions for childminders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
What childminders should do when someone they live with has COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive, or is self-isolating as a close contact.
Change made: we’ve updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance on tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
For parents / carers:
Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges.
Change made: We’ve updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance on tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
Change made: updated to reflect the end of the asymptomatic testing programme. Reference made to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance on contact tracing and isolation which comes into effect from Thursday 24 February 2022.
Change made: we’ve updated the guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.