Devasted that Luljeta Nuzi has died after a long fight with cancer. An incredible, dynamic, fierce woman whose optimism and passion for equality for all, in education, as women, as members of refugee and global majority communities will remain an inspiration for those who met her. I first met Luljeta in 2009 when she came […]
COVID-19 Update: Out-of-school settings in Tier 4
The government announced on Saturday December 19, that London and some areas of the south east and the East of England have moved into Local Restriction Tier 4 (Stay at Home).
The central local restriction tiers guidance has been updated to reflect what this means for childcare / supervised activities for children (i.e. out-of-school settings) in Tier 4.
Registered wraparound childcare and supervised activities for children, such as out-of-school settings, should only be accessed where the provision is necessary:
- to allow parents / carers to work, seek work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment;
- for the purposes of respite care; or
- where the provision is being used by home educating parents as part of their existing arrangements for their child to receive a suitable full-time education.
The out-of-school settings guidance has been updated to reflect this position in more detail.
January Return
There was also an announcement about mass testing of secondary school students during the first week of term in January. Guidance on what this means for education and childcare settings, including out-of-school settings, was published on Friday December 18: Schools and childcare settings: return in January 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
To support with the mass testing effort, the government is asking that secondary school students receiving remote education from their school during the first week of term in January do not attend out-of-school settings during this time. This means that out-of-school settings and wraparound childcare can continue to operate for face-to-face provision between 4 and 11 January 2021 for children who are:
- home educated
- in early years settings
- in primary school
- in the secondary school-age cohorts eligible for full-time on-site provision – vulnerable children, children of critical workers and those in year 11 and 13
Those of you who are continuing to operate for face-to-face provision during this period should ensure that they make parents aware that their setting should only be accessed if their child is in one of the eligible groups outlined.
| Anne-Marie Mongan | Policy Adviser | Out-of-school Settings, Wraparound, and Integration Unit Email: anne-marie.mongan@education.gov.uk gov.uk | Twitter | Facebook Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BT |
National Restrictions from 5 November – Information for Out of School Activities
The purpose for the national restrictions from 5 November 2020 is to reduce the spread of the virus. The main message is to stay at home, except for specific purposes. One of the specific purposes is for education and childcare. With regards to out-of-school settings in particular, please read the following Department for Education advice and new guidance:
Out-of-school activities (including wraparound care) may continue to operate if their primary purpose is providing registered childcare, or where they are offering other childcare activities, where this is reasonably necessary to enable parents to:
- Work or search for work
- Undertake training or education
Out-of-school activities may continue to operate for the purposes of respite care, including for vulnerable children.
Out-of-school activities that are primarily used by home educating parents as part of their arrangements for their child to receive a suitable full-time education (which could include, for example, tuition centres, supplementary schools, or private tutors) may also continue to operate.
Youth support services, including 1-1 youth work and support groups, may also continue to operate.
These settings should continue to undertake risk assessments and implement the system of controls set out in the protective measures for holiday clubs and after-school clubs and other out-of-school clubs for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak guidance. Providers of youth services and activities should also refer to the National Youth Agency’s guidance for managing youth sector spaces and activities during COVID-19, where it is relevant to do so.
All other out of school activities, not being primarily used by parents for these purposes, should close for face-to-face provision but can offer remote education, for the duration of the national restrictions. (look at our guidance for ensuring that remote and online provision is run safely and effectively)
It is also important to note that some premises which settings would typically operate out of may only be able to open for certain limited purposes. You should check the latest guidance on new national restrictions from 5 November to see which businesses and venues can open and for which purposes.
Relevant guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settings-new-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020