School and nursery class limits SCRAPPED and childminders can care for more kids in new rules

LIMITS on class numbers will be scrapped in schools from September and in nurseries from July, new government guidance reveals.

The new guidelines, which were confirmed by the Education Secretary today, will ease restrictions in schools and nurseries, with nannies also set to look after more kids at once.

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Nursrey class limits will be scrapped from July 20[/caption]

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Nurseries and preschools were opened across England on June 1, although classrooms were subject to several restrictions.

Until now, nursery school teachers have been advised to limit class sizes to a small number of kids, while staggering their lunch times.

Nannies have also been subject to restrictions, with childminders only allowed to look after kids belonging to the same household.

Under new government guidelines, however, these rules will be scrapped from July 20.

It comes as Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed all schools will be made to open their doors in September.

Mr Williamson confirmed the 15-pupil ‘bubble’ limit in school classrooms will be scrapped – allowing schools to create ‘bubbles’ of a whole class or a whole year.

Confirming the new measures this morning, he said: “Nothing can replace being in the classroom, so ever since schools, colleges and nurseries closed to most children, we have been working hard to ensure they can reopen as soon as possible.

“We have already seen more than 1.5 million children and young people return, but we must make sure all pupils can go back to school in September, giving them the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential.

“I want to reassure parents and families that we are doing everything we can to make sure schools, nurseries, colleges and other providers are as safe as possible for children and staff, and will continue to work closely with the country’s best scientific and medical experts to ensure that is the case.”

Outlining how kids will catch up on lost learning in the months ahead, a release from the Government states: “Schools will be required to resume teaching a broad and balanced curriculum in all subjects, making use of existing flexibilities to create time to address gaps in knowledge.

“Schools should consider how all subjects can contribute to filling gaps in core knowledge.”

The statement also confirms exams will take place in 2021.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries added: “Thanks to the hard work of everyone, including our teachers and all school staff, there has been a decline in the rate of COVID-19 transmission in our communities.

“A child’s education is essential to their healthy development – we know that missing too much school can have a negative impact on children’s mental and physical wellbeing.

“Everybody wants children to be safe and thankfully as we have learned more about COVID-19, the evidence has shown that the risk of severe disease in children is low. However, although the number of COVID-19 cases has declined, it is still in general circulation – so it important we ensure schools implement sensible precaution to reduce potential transmission of COVID-19 and minimise any risk to teachers and their pupils.”