Disappointingly, two weeks on from our initial call we are still yet to see any flexibility in the Department for Education’s COVID-19 guidance for childminders. As it currently stands, childminders who have a positive case in their household still have to close their setting with no access to financial support, if they are unable to operate elsewhere.  

We still feel this puts childminders in an unfair position compared to others in the sector and the general public, and we are continuing to call on the Department for Education and UK Health Security Agency to make the rules more reflective of the move to ‘Living with COVID-19’. We want you to be able to use your professional judgement to manage the virus like any other illness in your setting.  

Minister responds to call 

It was disappointing to see the Children’s Minister, Will Quince MP, dismiss the need to update the guidance in response to a written question this week. In his response he states that this is due to minded children being ‘close to the case for extended periods of time’. We know that as early years and childcare professionals you are more than capable to ensure that the children in your setting would have zero contact with any positive household members, and we continue to make this case.  

Read the Minister’s full response here 

PACEY members speaking out 

Thank you to those PACEY members and others in the sector who have been supporting our call for a change in the rules. Many of you have been in touch with your MPs to share your concerns, and in response we have seen written submissions, emails and social media posts from local MPs in support of the sector.  

We’re urging PACEY members to keep talking about this issue and how it affects you as a childminder. And please make sure you share with us any responses you receive so that we can help you to follow up. You can forward these via email to policy@pacey.org.uk or message us on Facebook to share any updates.  

Contact your MP 

Use our pre-filled tweets to make your local MP aware of the issue. It’s quick and easy to click the links below to send a message direct to your MP. Please copy and paste the text on twitter if the whole Tweet doesn't appear.  

Or feel free to use your own wording to send a more personal message – find your MP’s Twitter handle by entering your postcode here.  

Twitter option 1 Click here to send Tweet 

• "Hello (@MPname) join @PACEYchildcare call to rethink @Educationgov @UKHSA unfair COVID rules on childminders. https://bit.ly/3vdfLtA" 

Twitter option 2 Click here to send Tweet 

• "Hello (@MPname) as a childminder I’d have to close with NO income under COVID contact rules. Please help change this https://bit.ly/3vdfLtA"

If you are not active on social media, you can contact your MP via email by entering your postcode at TheyWorkForYou.com.   

We are confident that with enough voices in support of the sector, we can achieve a change in guidance.