Early Years gets go ahead for 1 June restart

Sunday 24 May 2020

Childminders, nurseries and pre-schools can all look to prepare to reopen for business fully from 1 June, after the latest relaxation of lockdown restrictions in Guernsey.

Enhanced hygiene measures are one critical need they will have to meet under the latest guidelines, which were announced on Friday alongside plans for all States-run schools to reopen on 8 June.

"In the early years sector, nurseries and preschools will be able to welcome all their children back from 1st June as long as they have submitted plans to the States Early Years Team and received approval for them," said a spokesperson for Education, Sport and Culture.

"Preschools and nurseries will continue to adhere to enhanced hygiene and cleaning procedures, maintaining the measures set out in previous phases to ensure the health and wellbeing of their children, families and staff."

All nurseries and preschools should have been provided with guidance written in partnership by the States Early Years Team and Public Health. This is said to give further clarity regarding the 'particular characteristics of early years education and the teaching, learning and care required in this sector'.

Pictured: Childminders can reopen fully from 1 June. 

The latest public health advice also allows childminders to welcome all their families back and reopen if they have been closed.

Those childminders who have only been open to care for the children of essential workers can also now prepare to welcome back their other young charges.

Any parents with questions can call the Education helpline number on 733017, or the main Education Office number on 733000.

Any early years provider with questions is asked to contact the States Early Years Team on 268313.