The First Minister has confirmed that from today (Monday 17 May), most areas of Scotland* will go down to level 2 and will therefore see a relaxation of a number of rules, including being able to mix with other households indoors.
A number of you have been in touch to ask whether this means that visits will be able to re-commence. We have been in contact with Scottish Government and have been advised that, for the time being, childminders must keep working within current childminding guidance and as such, visits are not permitted. To be clear this applies to all childcare provider settings.
Scottish Government is aware that the current risk mitigations in childminding business may feel contradictory as restrictions ease in wider society, particularly when some household mixing indoors is permitted and given that childminding settings are also childminders’ homes. However, there is still a need to be cautious when considering if and how any of the current risk mitigations for formal childcare settings can be eased as Scotland moves through the protection levels and to avoid easing too many restrictions at once.
While we recognise that some childminders may be very keen to reintroduce visits, we are also aware that some others feel that they have worked very hard to maintain safety in their settings for children and childminders’ own families and are keen to avoid a sudden change with a lot of people coming into the setting with potential impact for spreading infection and the resultant impact which this could have including have to self-isolate, close a setting and lose income. As such, they may prefer a gradual reintroduction of visits
once this is permitted.
The Scottish Government is taking expert public health advise on whether any of the current mitigations in the guidance for the childcare sector can be eased over the coming months.
We will update you as soon as possible if there are any changes
but in the meantime, please continue to adhere to the existing childminding guidance. As always, we will continue to review and update the information and FAQs on our
COVID-19 webpage.
*This is being continuously monitored and reviewed and is therefore subject to change. Most of Scotland will move down to Level 2 from Monday 17 May, with the exception of Moray and Glasgow City, which remain in Level 3. Highlands & Islands move down to Level 1, (except Skye). Find out more information on what level your area is in
here