Nursery World - Coronavirus: Sector raises alarm over measures replacing education 'bubbles'

Concerns have been raised over the changes to Covid measures in early years settings and schools from next month.

From next month, children will be required to take Covid tests only if they come into contact with a positive case PHOTO Adobe Stock

Earlier today education secretary Gavin Williamson announced in the House of Commons that the use of ‘bubbles’ in childcare settings and schools will end from 16 August and that new guidance for schools has been published.

Nursery World has contacted the Department for Education (DfE) for confirmation as to whether there will also be new guidance for early years settings.

The Early Years Alliance criticised the education secretary Gavin Willamson for focusing on schools and colleges and pressed for ‘greater clarity’ for the sector on how the changes will work in practice as soon as possible.

Chief executive Neil Leitch said, ‘We know that many providers have struggled to cope with the impact of repeated bubble closures due to self-isolation rules over recent months, and so steps taken to ease this pressure are welcome.

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