�°������ϲʹ�������

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“While we know that many working in the early years sector will welcome today’s step towards a return to normal, it is likely that many others will be understandably worried about the potential impact of the removal of self-isolation requirements on the safety and wellbeing of not only themselves, but their colleagues and loved ones.

“Early years providers have gone above and beyond to keep their settings as safe as possible throughout this crisis, but with reports of positive cases within the sector soaring to record highs over recent weeks, it’s clear that for our sector, the pandemic is not yet over.

“With under-fives now the only group not eligible for vaccinations and the early years remaining a particularly close-contact environment, it is vital that the government ensures that those working in the early years sector are protected as the changes announced today come into effect. This means ensuring that providers are actively supported to apply and enforce their own Covid-19 policies, based on their own professional judgement and risk assessments, and to take the steps they feel are needed to keep themselves and the children and families they support as safe as possible.”