Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Safety of Early Years and Specialist Settings

Monday 1 March 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • All early years and childcare settings must comply with health and safety law and follow guidance to reduce covid-19 transmission risk.
  • The Government states that pre-school children under five are less susceptible to covid-19 and unlikely to drive transmission.
  • Home test kits for nursery staff will be rolled out from 22 March, and the Government will spend about 3.6 billion on early years funding this year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Children & Families
Context

Early years and childcare settings need to be secure against the spread of Covid-19, especially with recent increases in cases.

Question

What steps are being taken to help ensure that early years and childcare settings are covid-19 secure?

Answer from Vicky Ford

All settings must comply with health and safety law. They should follow guidance for reducing transmission risk, including bespoke guidance for special schools and alternative provision. Testing has been expanded to cover schools, pre-schools, and nurseries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how nurseries can remain viable without mass testing or PPE

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Q2 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Children & Families
Context

Covid cases in early years providers have nearly doubled since January, causing concern among nursery workers about safety without proper testing or PPE.

Question

Why has the Government done so little to reassure early years providers who are worried about continuing their work safely?

Answer from Vicky Ford

The evidence shows that pre-school children under five are less susceptible to covid and unlikely to drive transmission. We base decisions on public data, which was updated last week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a clear plan for testing or PPE access

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Q3 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
NHS Children & Families
Context

Recent high levels of cases in nurseries have raised concerns about financial viability without additional testing or PPE.

Question

Without mass testing, FFP3-grade PPE, or financial support like that available in the first lockdown, how can nurseries remain viable if they wish to stay open?

Answer from Vicky Ford

The Government will spend about £3.6 billion on early years funding this year and are rolling out home test kits for nursery staff from 22 March.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on financial support beyond testing

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Q4 Tulip Siddiq Lab Hampstead and Highgate
NHS Education
Context

Social distancing is challenging in early years settings, leading to high numbers of staff off sick or isolating. Vaccinating key workers earlier would have helped manage this pressure.

Question

Why did the Government miss the opportunity to vaccinate school staff over half-term and prioritise early years staff once vulnerable groups were vaccinated?

Answer from Vicky Ford

The priority is to protect those most at risk of dying or being hospitalised, including carers of clinically extremely vulnerable children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explain why early years staff were not prioritised for vaccination

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