DfE confirms ratio flexibility for Covid-19 absences
By Rachel Lawler
The Department for Education has confirmed that the government considers the current rates of Covid-19 in England to be an ‘exceptional circumstance’, allowing ratio requirements to be temporarily changed.
In the light of the current pressures that the Omicron variant is placing on early years providers – and particularly staff absences – the DfE says that the requirements in the EYFS framework can be temporarily changed.
EYFS guidance
There is already provision within the EYFS guidance (3.31) which allows for exceptions to ratios to made in exceptional circumstances. It states: “Exceptionally, and where the quality of care and safety and security of children is maintained, changes to the ratios may be made."
The DfE has confirmed to the Alliance that Covid-19 is considered to be such an exceptional circumstance.
Exteme pressures on workforce
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, commented: "The EYFS already allows for temporary exceptions to ratios rules in exceptional circumstances, and in light of the extreme challenges that many settings are facing as a result of the Omicron variant, we welcome clarification that the government does consider the pandemic to be an exceptional circumstance.
"That is no doubt, however, that the safety and wellbeing of all children attending early years settings must always be a priority, and so it is critical that any providers who opt to use this flexibility do so with the utmost care and caution, with any temporary changes underpinned by robust risk assessments.
"Of course, with the early years workforce already under extreme pressure, moving to a situation where already-stretched staff teams are expected to look after a greater number of children is not a long-term solution.
'"What’s more, while this change may go some way to helping settings cope with the acute problems they are now facing, we cannot forget that the reason the current challenges are so severe is because our sector went into this pandemic in an incredibly precarious position.
"Years of poor pay, little support and even less recognition have led to a recruitment and retention crisis which has forced many settings to operate with much fewer staff that they otherwise might. Ultimately these issues must be addressed if we are to ensure that the early years is not put in a similarly vulnerable position in the future."