Brighton And Hove City Council Close Nurseries Over Rapidly Increasing Covid-19 Cases

Brighton and Hove City Council has taken the decision to close all council-run nurseries to all but vulnerable children and children of critical workers.

The authority said the move has been made to protect staff, families and children and is consistent with the government's decision to shut schools.

It comes into force on Thursday (January 7).

Work has been done to prioritise as many places as possible for disadvantaged children.

No date has been given for reopening yet.

Private and voluntary providers have been left to make their own decisions about staying open to all children, based on their own risk assessments.

Councillor Hannah Clare, Chair of the Children Young People and Skills Committee said:

“We understand the concerns of our staff regarding the rising infection rates in the city.

“As a result we have as a temporary measure decided to move our council-run nurseries to be only open to vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

“No one wants to be in a position where our nurseries aren’t fully open. However, to make our community safe, we have taken action.

“Private and voluntary providers can make their own decisions. We know that some in the city have already taken a similar position. However this comes at a financial cost to those providers. 

“As a result, Councillor Allcock and I have written to government to urge them to compensate early years providers, similar to how they did last year.”

The move is backed by the GMB Trade Union, who want the government to follow suit and close nurseries and pre-schools across the country.

Stuart Fegan National Officer said: 

“From the very beginning of the pandemic, Ministers have neglected the early years sector - missing it from Government communications, excluding it from financial support and from the provision of home testing kits. 

“Brighton and Hove Council have shown real leadership and taken a decision the Government should already have made to protect people.  But it shouldn’t have been left to councils to step in to address the Government’s failure here. 

“There is no scientific evidence to support the continued opening of nurseries. It is purely a political decision, made by Ministers who are failing to take their responsibility to staff, families and the wider community seriously enough.  

“They’ve left nursery staff, childminders and nannies worrying for their safety and sown fear and confusion among parents. 

“It’s time for the Government to step in and correct this dangerous mistake by closing all nursery and pre-school provision to all but key workers and vulnerable children, in line with school closures. “