Guidance on summer childcare

There is a lot of noise in the media about childcare - specifically what parents can do over the summer, and what is still restricted under the social distancing guidelines.

As the situation is constantly changing, we will keep this blog post updated, to ensure you have the latest information - especially if you are using the Fetching app to manage childcare amongst your friends.

The latest update (4th July) states the following:

• You can use a registered childminder
• You can use a babysitter/nanny in your home while maintaining social distancing between adults and adhering to other safety measures
• You can use holiday clubs - those that are open will be adhering to the relevant guidelines
• You can ask to be furloughed (if you have not been already) and you have no other childcare options)
• You can take annual or unpaid leave
• Single-adult (including sing-parent) households can join up with one other household in a "support bubble". That other household can come into your home and do not need to social distance.
• You can also now meet in a group of two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household), in any location ‒ public or private, indoors or outdoors. This does not need to be the same household each time, however, you must still social distance from anyone in another bubble.
• Children with separated parents are permitted to move between both households, as has been the case since the start of lockdown.

Yes.

The exception to this is if the children at the play date come from only two households, as per the guidelines above. In this instance, the play date may take place indoors.