Nursery World - Childminders banned from drop-offs at schools

Reports that some schools and nurseries are banning childminders from dropping off and collecting children from their premises has led to a petition calling on the Government to clarify the issue.

Some schools have banned childminders from playgrounds

The Change.org petition started by Ian Ward, which has been signed by nearly 8,000 people, states that, ‘A lack of clarity in [Department for Education] guidance in relation to the coronavirus outbreak has led to some schools and nurseries and even some local authorities unilaterally declaring that childminders are banned from dropping off and picking up children from their premises.’

He is concerned that the ban will impact on childminding businesses’ financial viability and also make it difficult for parents to find childcare, particularly during school holidays and at weekends.

The Professional Association for Childcarers (PACEY) chief executive Liz Bayram warns that ‘banning childminders from school playgrounds helps no one’ and that it is not a recommendation in the Government guidance. She points out that childminders, like parents, will be maintaining social distancing measures to reduce the risk to themselves and the children in their care from contracting the virus.

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