What’s happening with your nursery?

[SinkGirl]

Obviously nurseries aren’t being forced to close or subject to the same rules as schools so I’m just wondering what yours are doing? Do you even know yet?

Just before the announcement our nursery managers were offering to help out with our twins during any closures. They both have EHCPs so a school would need to accommodate them somehow but I don’t think nurseries have the same requirement so will see what they say tomorrow.

Our nursery is remaining open for children with EHCPs, social workers involved and children of key workers. Closed to everyone else though.

Where I am they are looking at moving all children who qualify into a central location rather than children staying in their own nurseries/schools.

I had an email last night stating that they were having a meeting with the early years team this morning to make a decision.
At the moment I still don't know, luckily ds only goes one day a week and dh and I can wfh if we really need to.

DD2's nursery are following school rules - open to children of key workers.

Same as schools- open to children of key workers and vulnerable children only. At least they have confirmed that if you don't go you don't pay.

Ours is still open to all

Our nursery is remaining open for everyone. I think if they stayed open for only key workers, they would only have a few kids in. I don't mind this, I think DS is safe there and at least I don't have to try to entertain him whilst working.

I thought all early years settings had to close too? Including private ?

Mine have currently said they're closing to everyone and dont expect pay but it will be reviewed once theyve received the key worker list

Can I ask a question...?
So if they dont expect pay but then they open to those of key workers, and we choose not to send them do you think I would have to pay?
My dh is WFH from next week. Therefore the saving of £1400 in nursery fees was going to be welcome short term until we get back on our feet with Bill's etc.
However I'm unsure if I say we dont need to send them next week due to dh being home if theyll now say that we have to pay because they're staying open for the likes of us?
Any advice?

Our nursery will stay open for key workers. However havent yet said what will be classed a key worker nor confirmed any changes regarding payments fir those that cant go. If we can we most certainly keep taking our son there

@DonnaDarko they won't be allowed to open to everyone, all settings that are registered childcare will have to follow the same rules and co-ordinate through the local authority.

Nurseries should be closing and following the same rules as schools.

Dazzling I think the announcement said that they want nurseries and independent schools to follow the same rules but I don’t think they have to. Will see what they say tomorrow. I’m so worried about managing 24/7 (literally, they are rarely ever asleep at the same time) with no respite but obviously if we have to then we have to.

I know they will still be receiving funding from the LA for all the funded hours for 2-4 year olds as the LA released a statement.

Will nursery staff continue being paid? If parents aren’t liable for fees it’s hard to see how they can be. Perhaps the answer is to ask one if they’d like to nanny for a while?

My nursery is forced to close after Friday

If the nursery are still receiving LA funding for most of the children (there arent that many under 3, and some of the 2 year olds get funding) then I believe they should be continuing to pay staff. I hope they do. I wouldn’t be able to afford regular help but could definitely hire one of them occasionally throughout a closure for when I’m losing the plot!

Ours is open as usual, to everyone.

I don't understand why the health and well-being of the children, and staff at a private childcare setting aren't being considered. Especially when the private sector are paid ridiculously lower, and most, if not all, will only get SSP if they have to be off sick.

@HanaHeya that is one of my biggest concerns. The staff at my son's nursery have been amazing, I really don't want to see them out of pocket and lose their jobs.

@IsolationMum I've not seen anything saying that. Ive just seen that private schools, colleges and nurseries are being asked to do the same as schools, but nothing saying that it's legally binding. Has there been an official statement?

Will nursery staff continue being paid? If parents aren’t liable for fees it’s hard to see how they can be. Perhaps the answer is to ask one if they’d like to nanny for a while?

Our nursery chain has told staff that anyone doing this will be fired as its not policy. We are not being paid.

List of key workers

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

@GoldenPoppy that’s AWFUL. Surely that’s not legal?! The parents should be up in arms about that, shocking

That is awful Golden - the managers at ours told me on Wednesday that the staff have already offered to help us out with our twins if they close. I’m shocked that they would tell you that you can’t work, they won’t pay you and you can’t work for the parents who need you either. Appalling.

What’s the proportion of LA funded hours in your setting? Our LA released a statement saying they are continuing to pay the funding to settings during the closure. If that’s the case you should be getting something.