Find out about the Covid-19 Childminder Mentor Programme in this guest post from Claire Fitzgerald, Area Lead on the DfE Mentor Programme.

The Department for Education (DfE) has issued a number of COVID-19 updates at the start of January 2022 that are relevant to the Early Years Sector. We have summarised the latest information and guidance in this blog post.

The latest updates, advice, and guidance for education and childcare settings from Birmingham City Council (BCC) and the Department for Education (DfE) following the implementation of the government’s ‘Plan B COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan’.

The latest updates, advice, and guidance for education and childcare settings from Birmingham City Council (BCC) and the Department for Education (DfE) ahead of the 2021/22 academic year, including information about CO2 monitors and a Public Health Birmingham webinar recording for schools and settings.

The latest updates, advice, and guidance from Birmingham City Council and the DfE, including a video from Dr Justin Varney, DfE webinar on what ‘Step 4’ changes mean for education and childcare settings, plus a letter to school staff from Children and Families Minister, Vicky Ford.

Latest coronavirus updates from the Department for Education (DfE) for all early years, children’s social care, schools and further education providers, including information about the Prime Minister’s announcement and what this means for some of your summer term activities.

An update from the Department for Education (DfE) regarding Elective Home Education (EHE) for all early years, children’s social care, schools, and further education providers (5 May 2021).

Latest coronavirus updates from the Department for Education (DfE) for all early years, children’s social care, schools and further education providers, including information about vaccinations for eligible staff in education settings, at-home testing kit supply and delivery, plus links to updated guidance for parents and families.

Update from Lindsey Trivett, Head of Early Years, Childcare and Children’s Centres at Birmingham City Council on the recent confusion around COVID-19 vaccination priority for early years workers.

At this challenging time, we would like to offer some positive reminders to all the amazing staff working across the Early Years sector in Birmingham (and beyond).

Update from Lindsey Trivett, Head of Early Years, Childcare and Children’s Centres at Birmingham City Council, including new national lockdown measures, Spring Term funding, and further information about support for vulnerable children and families.

This September, many children and families will be returning to school and settings for the first time since March — as such, it’s vital that we’re prepared for the next phase of living through this pandemic.

NB: Survey now closed. Many thanks to all who took the time to respond during this difficult period.

We are inviting Birmingham schools (with EY provision) and EY providers to complete an online survey, commissioned by the Sutton Trust, which seeks to gather evidence of your COVID-19 experiences as an Early Years provider before, during and after lockdown.

Sharing what works in our Early Years settings during the COVID-19 pandemic - a collection of ideas as a starting point for discussions with your team(s) as we start to open our settings to more children. We would love to add your ideas and experiences to this, so please do get in touch if you have something to share.