Portsmouth MP warns of coronavirus impact on disadvantaged children
Nurseries, early years and child care providers could be forced to close.
Nurseries, preschools and childminders could be "punished substantially'' due to lower demand among parents during the coronavirus pandemic, the shadow education minister Tulip Siddiq has warned.
Thousands of early years providers in England could be forced to close by the summer if they are only awarded Government funding based on the number of children in attendance this month, she told MPs.
Ministers have been warned of the risk that vital childcare places in deprived areas of the country could be lost as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Labour MP Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) added: "Nurseries and childcare providers in deprived areas are most likely to close, which is catastrophic for disadvantaged children.
"Coronavirus presents a significant threat to early-years providers in Portsmouth, with many already struggling financially.''
The Government has said early years settings in England should remain open to all children during the latest lockdown, but primary and secondary schools are closed - except for the children of key workers or vulnerable pupils.
But some nurseries have decided to limit attendance due to safety concerns, or they have been forced to close temporarily as staff are off sick or they have had to self-isolate, according to sector leaders.
Early years organisations are concerned that settings will not be able to receive Government funding for the children who do not attend this week.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Siddiq said: "Ministers are telling everyone to stay at home, yet early-years providers are being told to stay open for as many children as possible or lose funding.
"This month's funding changes mean that nurseries, preschools and childminders will be punished substantially for having lower demands than usual, or for limiting their opening during lockdown.
"Nineteen thousand providers could close by summer as a result. Is that a price the minister is willing to pay? Or does she think those warning about this are wrong?''
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: "There are no two ways about this, the Government's current approach threatens the very existence of some nurseries and nursery classes.
"Nursery leaders are being put in an impossible position, forcing them to choose between the safety of staff and children and financial survival.
"Without a change of approach in the next 48 hours, the Government risks doing irreparable damage to nurseries.
"This is not about asking for extra money, it's simply a case of ensuring all nurseries and schools receive the funding they would normally receive outside of a national lockdown.''
In response to concerns about the early years funding and this week's national census, Children's Minister Vicky Ford said: "If parents are keeping their child at home because they are concerned about Covid, then early years settings can still count the child for the census provided they're open.
"If they choose to close, then they can furlough their staff using the other government schemes. We will continue to monitor this situation very closely and to see if other support is needed.''
She added: "The advice that we gave up last week is really important because this week is the annual census week and it's really important that those providers know that they can count children who are temporarily absent provided they remain open for them.''