Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Expert guidance on the safe reopening of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on 29 May. The guidance recommends use of a “play pod” model which restricts interactions between closed groups of children and adults as an alternative to social distancing, on the basis that social distancing is not possible between young children.  The guidance does not prohibit the mixing of children from different geographical locations. The use of play-pods and the fact that the Regulations in relation to the adult-child ratios and floor-space requirements have not changed mean that the costs of compliance with public health requirements have been kept to a minimum.

My officials have been working with the HPSC to produce a next version of the Guidance which will include advice on the safe interaction between schools and childcare facilities where children attend both. It is envisaged that this guidance will be available soon.  

In addition to the expert Guidance from the HPSC, my Department has provided a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The Guidance for Reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website: .

It is important to note that the HPSC Guidance and all of the reopening supports for services available on the First 5 website apply to both Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC).

My Department has put a major funding package in place to facilitate the reopening of ELC and SAC services. The investment recognises the important role that the ELC and SAC sector plays in the societal and economic infrastructure of the country. 

The funding package was tailored to allow providers to operate with less parental income where demand is low in the early stages of reopening and to assist in meeting additional operating costs.