Coronavirus: Childminders in England told they can return to work following confusion over childcare policy

Industry expert says government's sudden change in guidance is 'unacceptable'

Early years providers have been described as being 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' over reopening (Getty)

Childminders in England have been told they can return to work from Wednesday if they are looking after children from a single household, following confusion over the government's position on childcare.

Paid nannies and childminders can work again in people's homes in England, as long as they are not showing symptoms of coronavirus, in a move which the government has said will help some parents return to work.

The Department for Education (DfE) previously said children and young people would begin to return to education and childcare by 1 June at the earliest, depending on the UK’s Covid-19 transmission rate.

The Early Years Alliance (EYA) membership organisation said it received a “last-minute change of guidance” from DfE just after 6.30pm on Tuesday.

“The government has amended its guidance to clarify that paid childcare can be provided to the children of one household in any circumstance,” the guidance said, according to EYA.

“This would include nannies, for example, and childminders may also choose to provide childcare on this basis if not already providing care for vulnerable children and children of critical workers.”

It added that registered childminders and nurseries were already able to look after vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

Neil Leitch, EYA’s chief executive, said it was “unacceptable” for the government to change its guidance with less than a day’s notice.

“This is already an incredibly difficult and stressful time for early years providers, and they have frankly had enough of last-minute, contradictory guidance from the government,” Mr Leitch said.

“Childminders have been told three different things about plans to re-open in a matter of days.

“To inform them that they are able to open for children from a single household with less than a day's notice is simply not acceptable.”

The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (Pacey) said it was up to individual childcare providers whether to open this week or wait until June.

Liz Bayram, Pacey’s chief executive, said that early years providers were “stuck between a rock and a hard place” on the issue of reopening.

“Whether they open now or in June, they are struggling to decide not only if it is financially viable to reopen, with what is likely to be reduced demand from parents, but whether they can do so without placing their own families at too greater risk,” Ms Bayram said.

“The mixed messages and confusion from government make this all the more difficult to decide, especially when told you can still not mix with family members but you can bring minded children into your own home.”

She also called for the government to be clear on what financial support will be available to childminders who reopen with less children, either due to safety concerns or reduced demand for childcare.

Additional reporting by PA