Nursery World - Unions call for nurseries to close to keep staff safe, and for emergency funding

The National Education Union and Unison are calling on the Government to close early years settings in line with schools, to protect staff and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The NEU and Unison say that early years settings should be closed in line with schools

They say that the risks to staff, families and communities are exactly the same as for primary schools which have already closed, except to key worker and vulnerable children, and that nurseries must be treated the same way.

The unions, which represent early years workers and support staff, are calling for ministers to protect and properly fund the sector.

A joint petition launched last night by the unions, ‘Keep early years safe and funded’, has so far been signed by more than 6,000 people.

In addition, more than 2,500 letters have been sent to MPs.

Nursery schools, and nurseries are currently required to remain open to all children, even though the public is being told that reducing contacts is essential to bring viral levels down.

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