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Leading early years organisations the Early Years Alliance has raised concerns about the impact of a lack of coronavirus testing availability on the childcare sector in England after receiving a growing number of reports of childcare staff being unable to work due to difficulties accessing tests, leading to widespread staff shortages.  

According to government guidance, as critical workers, practitioners working in nurseries, pre-schools or childminding settings should be given priority access to tests. However, many childcare providers have reported being unable to access any tests at all. 

In addition, all schools and further education providers have been given an initial supply of 10 home testing kits to be used for staff and children who “may have barriers to accessing testing elsewhere”, with the ability to order further kits as of 16 September. In contrast, the Department for Education has confirmed to the Alliance that “at this stage, there is no further information on home testing kits for early years providers”. This is despite the fact that childcare providers have been able to open to all children since 1 June. 

The Alliance is calling on the government to urgently ensure that as critical workers, early years staff are able to gain priority access to testing, and to provide all childcare settings with home testing kits to align with the approach taken with schools and colleges. 

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: 

“Early years providers have been on the frontline throughout this crisis, putting themselves at risk in order to continue providing the care and education that families need for little reward and even less recognition. 

“The absolute least the government could do is to ensure that those working in the sector who need a test can access one without delay – and yet, it is clear from the reports that we are receiving that despite being promised priority testing status alongside other key workers, in too many cases, this simply isn’t happening. 

“Worse still is that weeks after schools and colleges have been given home testing kits, those working in the early years seem to have been completely forgotten. Given that childcare practitioners spend their days in particularly close contact with young children, there is simply no excuse for this inconsistency. 

“With early years settings already under extreme financial pressure, being forced to turn some children away or potentially close entirely as a result of staff shortages could be the final straw for many struggling providers. As such, it is pivotal that the government takes urgent action on this matter, and ensure that childcare providers are able to access tests – for both themselves and members of their households – without delay.” 

PROVIDER QUOTES 

Caroline Midgley, headteacher, Embsay Children's Centre in Skipton, North Yorkshire, said:  

“I currently have two staff off due to Covid-19 issues, one showing Covid-like symptoms and one whose son developed a persistent cough. Both have been trying to get tests all day and have failed to do so. One tried to get a test at a pop-up centre in a local car park and at a permanent centre in the next town. Both turned her away. They will now need to self-isolate for longer and I am struggling to staff the setting due to other staff absences. 

"Staff are working overtime to provide cover but this is not sustainable. We will need to turn children away in order to maintain ratios at peak times during the day, which we can't afford to do, should this situation continue." 

Tina Reynolds, a childminder based in Littlehampton, said:  

"On Monday morning, one of my sons developed a cough and I was advised keep him off school until he has been tested. This meant our house being put into self-isolation. 

"Since then I have had no luck obtaining home tests, drive-through or even walk-through tests and have now been advised to just stay at home and prepare for the 10 days isolation time. 

"This has meant upsetting parents and letting them down at short notice. Sadly, this isn't a unique story." 

Jacqui Henley, owner/manager of Butterflies Montessori School in Brentwood, said: 

“We stayed open all through the lockdown and after closing for the summer holidays, have now been open for the autumn term for one full week. 

“During this week, we have needed four tests for either staff or their children, and two have been unable to obtain them. This is already having a significant effect on staffing. We have 20 teachers and all but two have children, so waiting for tests is going to be unsustainable for staffing ratios. We have signed up for the essential worker portal and have tried to use it but it has had no effect on trying to obtain a test." 

Cathy Walker, nursery manager of Treasures Nursery in Chesterfield, Derbyshire: 

"We are having major problems getting staff tested and have had three staff with symptoms who have had to take time off work. It has taken one staff member four days and the others three days to even get a test, and the results won't be back for 24 -72 hours. It is just not good enough.

“We can't get test kits to keep at nursery for staff. I looked at a company who wanted to charge £113 per test, which we cannot afford." 

Claire Attfield, a childminder based in Welwyn Garden City, said: 

 "I have a 17-year-old with a cough, sore throat and temperature. I’ve been online for three days trying to get a test. I live in Welwyn Garden City yet I’ve been offered Leicester, Coventry and Swindon: nothing else. I’ve had to close to key workers to be safe." 

Hannah Wilkes, deputy manager of Poppetts Day Nursery in Shenfield, Essex, said: 

"I currently have two members of staff off with suspected Covid symptoms, one of which more than likely has tonsillitis but cannot see her doctor. She has been advised to self-isolate for 10 days unless she can get a test.   

"They have tried to get a drive-in centre, a walk-in centre and getting the test posted to them, none of which were successful. This is highly important as we need the staff to cover our ratios, and while these staff members are off awaiting a test, I have staff and children possibly at risk too."