Nursery World - Change to test and trace and self-isolation rules causes 'utter confusion' in nurseries

Early years settings and schools have been thrown into confusion following the Government's change to the rules on tracking coronavirus cases and self-isolation, as the number of Covid-related absences among children and staff continues to rise.

Nurseries say they do not know how NHS Test and Trace will work in practice now they are no longer responsible for contact tracing in settings PHOTO Adobe Stock

Figures published today show that more than 1 million children - a quarter of children attending maintained schools - were out of school last week.

The requirement to keep children in small, consistent groups - ‘bubbles’ - ended on 19 July but changes to self-isolation rules for children and double-vaccinated adults are not set to come into force until 16 August.

All education settings have been told that NHS Test and Trace will be taking over responsibility for contact tracing from 19 July, but early years settings say they do not know how this will work in practice.

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