Important thread for the childcare sector https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❗️" title="Red exclamation mark symbol" aria-label="Emoji: Red exclamation mark symbol">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Downwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Downwards arrow">

Today the @ScotGovFM announced that Scotland will begin to cautiously ease out of lockdown and move in to Phase 1 of the routemap.

We& #39;ve outlined what this means for the childcare sector https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Downwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Downwards arrow">

Please RT & share.

Also today the @scotgov has published physical distancing guidance for schools which you can find https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow">
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-re-opening-schools-guide/

This">https://www.gov.scot/publicati... guidance does not apply to ELC & OSC

For ELC & OSC staff we do not expect staff to return to settings next week in line with teachers & school staff

We want to explain what is and isn’t changing for childcare as we move into Phase 1.

If you are providing childcare to key worker children and vulnerable families then continue to do so.

If you are closed then please continue to remain closed.

From Wednesday 3 June 2020 all childminders & fully outdoor childcare provision can reopen if they wish to do so.

Guidance will issue on Monday 1 June 2020 to support the reopening of both types of service.

In line with Phase 1 of the routemap, at this stage only fully outdoor childcare provision will be able to reopen from Wednesday 3 June.

The @CareInspect& #39;s definition of fully outdoor childcare provision is explained https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Downwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Downwards arrow">

For all other ELC & OSC there is no change to the current guidance. If you are providing childcare to key workers’ children & for vulnerable families you can continue to do so & should continue to follow Health Protection Scotland guidance. If you are closed you remain closed.

We will issue guidance for the safe reopening & operating of ELC and OSC by the middle of June in preparation for reopening when the @scotgov confirms that it is safe for Scotland to move into Phase 3 of the routemap.

The safe reopening of ELC & OSC is a priority for us.

It is really important to us that we learn from settings who are currently providing childcare during Covid-19. We are working with these providers to also help us inform the guidance which will issue in mid-June.

Please continue to check our dedicated webpages for the latest info on the financial & business support measures in place to support the childcare sector during closures & recovery. They can be found

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-childcare-closures-and-emergency-provision/pages/childcare-providers-closure-information/

https://www.gov.scot/publicati... class="Emoji" style="height:16px;" src=" https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-childcare-closures-and-emergency-provision/pages/childminders-financial-support/

https://www.gov.scot/publicati... class="Emoji" style="height:16px;" src=" https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-childcare-closures-and-emergency-provision/pages/private-and-third-sector-providers-financial-support/">https://www.gov.scot/publicati...

https://www.gov.scot/publicati... class="Emoji" style="height:16px;" src=" " title="Please continue to check our dedicated webpages for the latest info on the financial & business support measures in place to support the childcare sector during closures & recovery. They can be foundhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> https://www.gov.scot/publicati... class="Emoji" style="height:16px;" src=" " class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

Parent Club is a fantastic resource with lots of information and advice for parents and carers.

They have recently created a new page which has FAQs for parents about the reopening of ELC and schools https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/reopening-schools-faqs">https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/...

Thank you for bearing with us during this time and thank you for everything you do for children, families and Scotland.