Impact of COVID-19 on Early Education office opening, training and events
For the foreseeable future, staff will be working from home.
Please contact us by email as we will not be able to respond directly to phonecalls and will only be checking voicemail periodically.
Publications will not be dispatched during the office closure period. Orders will be logged and we will send these out once we are able to work from the office to access publications stocks.
We will follow government advice in relation to COVID-19. We are keeping under review whether events need to be cancelled or postponed or run online on a case-by-case basis. Any changes will be flagged on our website and registered delegates will be contacted by email. Please contact us if you have any queries.
Information for settings and schools
Department for Education coronavirus helpline
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is now available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
If you work in a school, please have your unique reference number (URN or UKPRN) available when calling the helpline.
Other official government sources
Guidance for educational settings
Announcement of closure schools and settings in England (18 March 2020)
Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas
Educational resources from Public Health England - general resources and resources for schools
Latest Department for Education information via Twitter and Facebook
Information for early years providers and schools
Key updates at present include:
England
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Implementing social distancing and in education and childcare settings
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures FAQs and school closures FAQs (24 March)
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DfE's announcement that schools and early years settings will close after this Friday, staying open only to support vulnerable children and children of "critical workers", information for parents and carers
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Confirmation that early years funding will continue to be paid to settings in England during any closures and that proposals to increase Ofsted fees have been delayed for consideration alongside any funding changes in the Spending Review
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Information about free school meal arrangements during this period
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Confirmation that Ofsted has suspended routine inspections
We are involved in regular conference calls with the DfE about the situation as it develops, so email Beatrice if you wish us to raise any queries or issues.
Wales
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Welsh government statement bringing forward the Easter break for schools, other than to support keyworkers and vulnerable children, while childcare settings are to remain open for now
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Confirmation that Childcare Offer for Wales payments to settings in Wales will continue even if children do not attend due to coronavirus isolation
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Written Statement: Eligibility for ongoing provision for children who are vulnerable, or whose parents are critical to the COVID-19 response
Scotland
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Statement on closure of schools and early learning providers other than for the support of keyworkers and vulnerable children, including confirmation of continued funding
Northern Ireland