Childcare Providers We Need You

Sandwell Childcare Providers play an important role in the current Coronavirus COVID 19 situation.  You are a critical and essential part of the Key Worker system enabling NHS, Police, Emergency and support services to operate, meaning all Sandwell residents have access to adequate health support, food supplies and transport to keep us all safe and well.  The Government are relying upon you to provide a service at this uncertain time, which we understand has its difficulties and can be challenging.  

Sandwell Early Years Team understand that the current situation is requiring you to care for low numbers of children and this is not how you would normally operate, please remember that you will continue to receive funding for children even though they are unable to attend, your normal outgoings will be reduced as a result of the Government removing business rates for 12 months.  Basically, we are asking that you operate in ways that would normally go against our normal way of working.  What we need you to remember is that even if you are caring for small numbers of children you are playing an integral role in this fight against COVID 19.

Please see sections below:

  • How you can help Sandwell
  • How the Local Authority can help you

We are currently looking at all possible ways in which we can support you to remain open.   

Please note; you play an essential role in delivering an important service to Sandwell key workers, who are currently providing services to the most vulnerable residents as well as treating those who have been affected by the COVID 19 virus.  Sandwell MBC and Sandwell Early Years and Childcare Team cannot thank you enough for the work you are all undertaking.

 

How you can support Sandwell

Continue to support key workers and your local communities by remaining open.

Complete daily hygiene routines and update risk assessments.

Continually review your staffing options and consider how you can support other providers in the community.

Review how you manage your resources, such as cleaning and fresh food products, if you have surplus can these be shared?

Monitor the situation weekly and report back any developments or changes to Sandwell Early Years Team using the email contact list (refer to attached) or contact family_information@sandwell.gov.uk .

Communicate with parents, identifying other providers who offer services that may support their older children. Also advertise Sandwell FIS hub website as an information point.

Provide ‘Key Worker’ parents with a system of contacting you if their childcare needs change (also applies to closed providers). Consider shift workers, emergency services work patterns.

 

How the Local Authority can support you

Continue funding all 2, 3 and 4 year old places whether children access or not – this should cover staffing costs and the staff payment of 80% to keep staff on payroll until you are reimbursed.

Provide advice, support and guidance to enable you to continue operating safely.

Communicate key information and any changes to the Government response, via our communication networks and FIS Hub Provider Corner.

Page last reviewed: 26/01/2021

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Get in touch with us

Family Information Service

family_information@sandwell.gov.uk
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