Coronavirus: Reported outbreaks in nurseries highest since February

Official weekly figures published today (Monday) show that there were 1,153 reported Covid-19 notifications by early years and childcare settings as of 5 July, the latest date for which data is available.

This is double that for the previous seven-day period when 753 incidents were reported on 28 June.

The last time reported cases in early years settings were more than 1,000 a week was on 8 February when there were 1,806 reported notifications.

Jonathan Broadbery, director of policy and communication at the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), said, ‘When community infection rates rise this always has a knock-on effect on positive cases being reported in early years settings, but it is worrying that these are now at their highest level since February. Nurseries continue to do everything they can to keep children and staff in their settings as safe as possible.’

Source: Reported coronavirus (Covid-19) notifications by registered early years and childcare settings

Ofsted

Self-isolation confusion

Early years organisations and nurseries have repeatedly called for the Government to allow nursery workers to test daily, rather than follow self-isolation rules, if they are pinged by the NHS Covid app, or contacted by test and trace, because they have been in contact with someone testing positive.

Last week the Government announced possible exemptions for workers in 16 key industries, with no clear details. Early years settings were not on that list.

Ministers are meeting today to consider extending the arrangements.

Mr Broadbery added, ‘It follows that higher case rates in communities also leads to more staff having to self-isolate as contacts, regardless of their vaccination status. This means more nurseries having to close rooms and turn children away from much-needed places. 

‘If early years staff cannot work, other critical workers could be left without the childcare they need to be able to do their jobs. Despite the critical role they play for children and working families, the Government has not named vaccinated nursery practitioners as being exempt from self-isolation rules. Many nurseries also offer vital holiday care for schoolchildren during the summer weeks.'