AnonyMouse_86521

I am currently working from home, reading this thread with tears and interest. My husband has Covid, I have symptoms, I cannot fault my staff and their dedication but I feel such responsibility and don't know what to do for the best, the lack of information because of the last minute change has screwed us all over.

Hi, I have just been informed by my contact at the local community centre we have hired for the preschool use for the past 50 years, that they are capping the amount of people allowed in each room. I am due to reopen on Monday!!! My smaller room for 2 year olds is registered to have a maximum of 8 children with two members of staff, they are now saying I can have five children and two members of staff. My big room for 3-4 year olds is being limited to 21 people, 4 staff members and the rest children. We usually have up to 28 children. The community centre has said this is because they have measured the floor space and are following requirements. I have looked at the following guidance (listed below) and can not find solid recommendations on how to move forward, nor can I find anything which supports their claims? My setting can adhere to their requirements for the time being but numbers are picking up, and quickly. Does one set of guidance out weigh the other? Does anyone else operate from a Community Centre and are having their numbers limited? It seems contradictory that my children are allowed to go to school in classes of 30/31 with 2/3 teachers in smaller rooms? Am I missing something? https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe