Nursery World - 'Early years is an afterthought in Test and Trace guidance'

The latest guidance from the DfE on test and trace and self-isolation has left nurseries in utter confusion and anxiety, says nursery group owner David Wright

David Wright, owner of Paint Pots Nurseries: 'We are just expected to muddle through'

The significant increase in isolations, alerts and positive cases in individuals linked to our settings has coincided with this week’s change to the regulations and guidance, the equivocal nature of which has added to the burden of responsibility felt by providers attempting to maintain an appropriate balance between doing the right thing and keeping everyone safe whilst attempting to continue to provide service to our children and their families.

The blurring of the lines between statutory requirements and best endeavours based on a sense of civic duty and frankly guesswork, has brought utter confusion and more anxiety to already overstretched teams.

There is a sense, as has been felt so often over the last 18 months, that Early Years has once again been overlooked; is an afterthought and is just expected to muddle through the next month until 16 August when we can be the guinea pigs for the rest of the education sector before it returns in September.

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