The Ofsted figures, published today, show the number of early years and childcare settings reporting Covid-19 cases increased from 4,457 on 10 January to 4,752 a week later on 17 January.
According to the data, the number of reports by settings of Covid cases has been rapidly climbing since 3 January when children returned to nursery after Christmas. It comes after a drop in cases to 2,677 on 27 December.
The figures for 17 January represents the largest number of reports since Ofsted began publishing the figures on 1 June 2020.
The Early Years Alliance once again raised its disappointment at the lack of financial or practical Government support to help providers through a ‘difficult period’.
Chief executive Neil Leitch said, ‘This data once again demonstrates that the pandemic is far from over in the early years.
‘With under-fives still not required to isolate or take daily tests when a close contact tests positive, it is no surprise that we continue to see such a large number of settings affected by Covid-19. This is risking not only the safety of those working in the sector and their loved ones, but also the financial viability of many settings, who continue to endure the high cost of temporary staff, alongside lost income due to being full or partial closures.
‘Early educators continue to put themselves at risk to support families and keep settings open. The Government must now acknowledge that fact and work with the sector to ensure settings have the financial and practical help to remain both safe and sustainable in the coming months.’
NDNA figures
The data from Ofsted echoes findings from the National Day Nurseries (NDNA) which shows the number of children catching the virus has been rising since the start of the new term (3 January).
The NDNA’s series of weekly snap polls suggests child absences due to Covid-19 in UK childcare settings rose from 9.10 per cent for the week commencing 3 January to 11.22 per cent for the week commencing 24 January.
Source: National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
Analysis of its weekly figures over the course of last month show the number of staff in nurseries across the UK off with the virus dropped slightly before marginally increasing at the end of January, when more employees were absent from work in England compared to Scotland and Wales.
'This Covid wave is far from over'
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), said, ‘It’s clear that this Covid wave is far from over and nurseries are still feeling its full impact.
‘As January progressed, more children were off, missing out on vital learning opportunities in their early years setting. We know that these absences leave nurseries with reduced incomes as well, further hampering efforts to recover and remain sustainable.
‘For nurseries, these challenges are continuing to impact on their businesses significantly. Governments must review and provide additional support to make sure that all childcare businesses are sustainable before many more are forced to close their doors. Now is not the time for the Government to re-introduce extra burdens on nurseries, like unfair business rates, the sector needs more support, not less.’
