Early Years: Department for Education – Update on Covid Testing

Update on testing

• The Early Years guidance has been updated and is available here: Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - GOV.UK. (Main changes are: Guidance updated in line with the UKHSA announcement about confirmatory PCR tests, clarification that children can return to the setting on day 7 if they've had 2 negative LFD tests and guidance on testing under 5s for household contacts).

• For the purposes of the PM’s announcement, critical workers do not include the early years workforce (who access testing kits via the education route), and they will not be asked to test daily as of next week.

If settings run out of test kits, they can continue to order more through the online ordering platform. Settings can also call 119 if they require further advice or support.