This update was made at 17:00 on Wednesday 24th February 2021.
Eequ will review government advice regarding the Coronavirus and update this message regularly. Advice may change on a daily basis.
New Local and National guidelines were last updated by the Government on 22nd February 2021.
From 8 March, out-of-school settings and wraparound childcare providers will be able to offer indoor and outdoor provision to all children. However, parents and carers will only be able to access settings for certain essential purposes.
Therefore, from 8 March, providers should only offer indoor and outdoor face-to-face provision to:
vulnerable children and young people
other children, where the provision is:
reasonably necessary to enable their parents and carers to work, search for work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need, or attend a support group
being used by electively home educating parents as part of their arrangements for their child to receive a suitable full-time education
for the purposes of obtaining a regulated qualification, meeting the entry requirements for an education institution, or to undertake exams and assessments
As set out in the COVID-19 response spring 2021 guidance, from 29 March, and in line with when schools close for the Easter holidays, out-of-school settings and wraparound providers will be able to offer:
outdoor provision to all children, without restrictions on the purpose for which they may attend
indoor provision to:
vulnerable children and young people
children on free school meals, where they are attending as part of the Department for Education’s holiday activities and food programme
other children, where the provision is:
reasonably necessary to enable their parents and carers to work, search for work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need
being used by electively home educating parents as part of their arrangements for their child to receive a suitable full-time education
for the purposes of obtaining a regulated qualification, meeting the entry requirements for an education institution, or to undertake exams and assessments
Out-of-school settings include:
tuition and learning centres
extracurricular clubs
uniformed youth organisations - for example, Scouts, Guides and cadet forces
supplementary schools
private language schools
religious settings offering education - for example madrassahs, yeshivas and Sunday schools
The provider should follow the relevant protective measures guidance.
A link to the Government website can be found here:
Eequ recommendations
As the risk of transmission is considerably lower outdoors, we are recommending that providers who normally run sessions indoors should consider whether they are able to do so safely outside.
Eequ does not verify your Mentor's risk assessment or Coronavirus safety measures. You must ask to see their policy and take full responsibility for evaluating the adequacy of the measures. Never attend or allow your child to attend a learning environment if you have any doubt as to the safety.
Take practical steps to reduce the risk of your child coming in close contact with someone who has the virus, such as encouraging your child to walk or cycle to the setting, getting dropped off by a member of your household in your private car rather than taking public transport. You should not car share with anyone outside your household (or bubble).
If you or your child are clinically vulnerable, discuss this in advance with your Mentor.
When dropping children off, please avoid gatherings and maintain social distancing with other parents and staff.
Book, pay and message on Eequ so that you can minimise contact and be contacted should there be any notifications of cases.
Notify your Mentor and Eequ immediately if anyone in your household or bubble has COVID 19 symptoms or has been told to self-isolate. Do not attend your activity.
Encourage and educate your child about the need for increased hygiene practices.
Useful links: