Back to school
ELC settings are now able to reopen. P1-P3 pupils can now return to school on a full-time basis.
Pupils in S4-S6 may also be able to go into school on a part-time basis if they have practical work for their national qualifications.
Children of key workers and vulnerable children in all years can continue to attend school as they did prior to this reopening.
Other pupils will return at a later date. Until then they’ll continue to learn from home.
Stay at home guidance
To minimise the risk of spreading the virus, you must stay at home as much as possible. If you are currently in a level 4 area, you can only leave your home (or garden) for an essential purpose.
In addition, only 2 people from 2 households can meet outdoors. Children under 12 do not count towards households or numbers when meeting outside, so can still play together outdoors.
The rules on informal childcare are staying the same as they were at level 4. You can find out more about your options on this page. You can read the full stay at home guidance on the gov.scot website.
We realise how very difficult this will be, but it’s vital in order to slow down the spread of the virus. And there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The Scottish Government has set out a plan to gradually restore greater normality to our everyday lives. You can read this plan on the gov.scot website.
What are my formal childcare options?
Are schools and early learning and childcare settings open?
Are schools and early learning and childcare settings open?
All ELC settings can now reopen. If your child’s nursery hasn’t been in touch with you yet about this, you can contact them to find out when they will be reopening. Our FAQ page has more information.
Our schools FAQ page has more information about the phased return to school.
Can I use a registered childminder?
Can I use a registered childminder?
Registered childminders are permitted to open. However, it's possible that individual settings may need to close if coronavirus levels there are high or if they want to keep numbers to a minimum.
My child’s been going to a different nursery while our usual nursery is shut – what happens now?
My child’s been going to a different nursery while our usual nursery is shut – what happens now?
If you’re a key worker or have a vulnerable child and your child has been attending a different nursery or childcare setting while their usual setting is closed, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to take them to their usual setting now, but get in touch with your ELC provider to confirm this.
Will I still be charged childcare fees if the setting my child attends is closed?
Will I still be charged childcare fees if the setting my child attends is closed?
This depends on your situation. You don’t have to pay for your child’s funded hours, as these are paid for by the Scottish Government and your local authority.
If your child attends a private nursery or childcare setting, or if you pay for additional services on top of your funded hours, and are being asked to pay fees while they are closed, the first thing you should do is look at the contract you have with the setting. You should have signed this when your child first started there. If you no longer have a copy you can ask the setting to send you one.
The contract may say that the setting can charge a fee if they have to shut through circumstances beyond their control (such as the pandemic). In this case, they can ask you to pay a small fee to cover direct costs while they’re closed, but shouldn’t be asking you to pay the full fees, or a substantial part of the fees.
Or the contract may say that the setting can change the terms of the agreement. In this case, you and the setting may agree between you that you will pay a small fee while they’re closed. However, the setting shouldn’t use this to force you to pay large fees for a service you’re not getting. Nor should they put pressure on you to pay by saying that your child will lose their place or the setting will close down altogether if you don’t.
In addition, the Scottish Government is asking childcare providers to be sensitive to families’ financial situations when considering their charging policies as some families may not be able to afford extra costs at the moment, due to the pandemic.
You can find out more about your rights at the gov.uk website.
If you’re not happy with what your child’s setting is asking you to pay and think it’s unfair, talk to the setting first and see if you can work something out. You can get advice on your rights from Trading Standards Scotland.
Will school age childcare settings be reopening?
Will school age childcare settings be reopening?
The current advice is that school age childcare providers (like after school clubs) won’t reopen for children other than keyworkers and vulnerable children from the 22 February. This situation is being kept under review.
Can a nanny or babysitter look after my child?
Can nannies or babysitters look after my child in level 3?
Can nannies or babysitters look after my child in level 3?
For all areas in level 3, a babysitter, or nanny can still look after your children in your home where necessary, for example, so you can go to work or medical appointments. However, the caregiver can only look after children from one other household at a time. So, for example, a nanny-share wouldn’t be permitted, as that would involve children from 2 households and a nanny from a third household.
However, it’s best to only ask a babysitter or nanny to look after your child if you have to, for example:
- if you need childcare to enable you to work (this can include working from home)
- if you need to attend medical appointments for you or another child
- if you or your children have on-going regular health or social care needs
- if illness or health issues mean you can't look after them or you need additional support to do so
- for respite care if your child is disabled.
Can nannies or babysitters provide childcare in level 4 or under stay at home restrictions?
Can nannies or babysitters provide childcare in level 4 or under stay at home restrictions?
At this level, the risk from indoor mixing is greater, so most in-home childcare (babysitters, family, nannies) is not advised. Where necessary, unpaid informal childcare is permitted if the child goes to the home of the caregiver. However, where you are paying for childcare, this should take place in your own home. If you are using family or friends to babysit, then this doesn’t need to take place in your own home, and it is safer if the child can move to the home of the caregiver. The section on informal childcare below has information on precautions that you can take.
Babysitters and nannies can continue to look after children in the child’s home, provided they are happy with the arrangement and the childcare is essential.
Childcare is essential if:
- you're a key worker and require informal childcare to go to work
- you work in an industry that is permitted to operate at level 4, and you require informal childcare to go to work
- you're working from home, and you need informal childcare so you can to continue to work and no alternative can be found.
Key workers include:
- health and care workers
- public sector workers providing emergency or critical welfare services, such as Fire, Police, Prisons, Courts, Social Workers and workers in any of the 13 critical national infrastructure sectors
- education and childcare staff, including support staff.
If you aren't a key worker and don't work in another industry that's permitted to operate in level 4, you can only use a nanny or babysitter in your home if it's essential and you have no other option.
Essential childcare means:
- you are working from home, and you need informal childcare to enable you to continue to work
- you or another child need to attend medical appointments
- you or your children have on-going regular health or social care needs
- illness or health issues mean you can't look after your child or you need additional support to do so
- respite care if your child is disabled.
Extra precautions should be taken by both the caregiver and the family (such as cleaning, ventilation and avoiding shared food or utensils) to ensure everyone stays safe.