Nursery World - Childminders left confused by mixed messaging from Government over work return

Thousands of childminders have been left confused by Government guidance, which seemingly states they should return to work tomorrow, but which is at odds with separate guidance published by the Department for Education.

PACEY's 2019 campaign about the role of childminders may not have reached the government's lockdown exit plan document

The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years said that it had been contacted by a huge number of childminders and was seeking clarification from the Government.

The Government’s 50-page strategy document about exiting the lockdown, published yesterday, stated that 'paid childcare', for example nannies and childminders, can return to work on Wednesday 13 May, in the first phase of the Government’s plan to ease the lockdown. It said this was 'because these are roles where working from home is not possible', although registered childminders do work from their homes.

The same guidance said that early years settings and schools are expected to reopen for more children from 1 June.

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