Action for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated 10 September 2020
5. Minimise contact between individuals where possible
Early years settings are no longer required to arrange children and staff in small, consistent groups so can return to normal group sizes.
Settings should still consider how they can minimise mixing within settings, for example where they use different rooms for different age groups, keeping those groups apart as much as possible. Minimising contact between groups can reduce the number of children and staff required to self-isolate in the event of children or staff testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Returning to normal group sizes is based on the fact that the overall risk to children from coronavirus (COVID-19) is low. It also recognises that early years settings are typically smaller than schools. Adopting the ‘system of controls’ set out here in a robust way will ensure there are proportionate safeguards for children as well as staff and reduce the chance of transmission.
Parents and carers should be encouraged to limit the number of settings their child attends, ideally ensuring their child only attends the same setting consistently. This should also be the same for staff.
Name ……………………..….. Signed ………………..………………….. Date …….….
Name ……………………..….. Signed ………………..………………….. Date …….….
