National restrictions are in place until 2 December. Read how the national restrictions affect this guidance.
This guidance is for providers registered with Ofsted and childminders registered with childminder agencies for children of all ages, including:
nurseries and wraparound childcare
before and after school clubs
holiday clubs
This guidance does not cover nannies or au pairs.
We will update this guidance as further information becomes available.
DfE coronavirus helpline
Telephone 0800 046 8687
If you have a query about coronavirus (COVID-19) relating to schools and other educational establishments, and children's social care, in England contact our helpline.
Helpline opening hours Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm
If you work in a school or college, have your unique reference number (URN or UK PRN) available when calling the helpline.
Published 24 March 2020 Last updated 26 November 2020 +show all updates
Updated to address changes for the exit from National Restrictions on 2 December. New and updated guidance on managing safety in settings and staffing, 30 hour entitlements and information on business support. A full list of updates is included at the beginning of the guidance document.
Added links to new national restrictions guidance.
On 16 October 2020 - amended information on local COVID alert levels and tiers of restriction (section 3), staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable (section 3), children who are shielding (section 4) and informal childcare (section 5).
Amended information on local COVID alert levels and tiers of restriction (section 3), staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable (section 3), and children who are shielding (section 4).
Added new content on face coverings, toothbrushing, local lockdowns, music, dance and drama, pregnant women, visitors, visits, informal childcare, EYFS disapplications, supporting wellbeing, SEND legislation, journeys, dual settings, reopening of building emergency first aid, Job retention Bonus Scheme. Updated information on funding to align with other funding guidance, employer health and safety and equalities duties, shielding and safeguarding, managing COVID-19 cases.
Updated the section on managing confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and what to do if a child is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Added updated version of 'What to do if a child is displaying symptoms ofcoronavirus (COVID-19)'.
Added 'What to do if a child is displaying symptoms ofcoronavirus (COVID-19)'.
Updated to reflect changes in legislation to the 30 hours free entitlement and information on the validity of Paediatric First-Aid certificates.
Updated to reflect that early years settings can return to normal group sizes. Includes content from the Planning guide so that all information is in one place from now on and the Planning guide is deleted. Guidance also includes updated information about autumn funding, wraparound care, managing requests for site visits for new admissions in September, data collection changes and reporting to Ofsted.
Updated to set out a change to the protective measures in early years settings that will be effective from 20 July, removing the requirement to keep children in small consistent groups within settings (sections 2.1 and 3.3).Added new content on risk assessment (3.1), supporting staff with increased risk factors (3.2) and system of controls (3.3
