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Commenting on the publication of the DfE ‘planning guide’ for early years providers, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“While we welcome the publication of further guidance for early years providers preparing to reopen in June, it is very frustrating and disappointing that this document has been published on the Sunday of a Bank Holiday weekend, little over a week ahead of the government’s planned reopening of schools and childcare settings.

“Going forward, the sector will need the continued support of government to ensure that we are able to continue delivering quality care and education while adhering to the latest guidelines and changing evidence bases, and so the government will need to take a much more proactive approach to providing clear, timely guidance to early years providers than it has to date.

“We know that many in the sector have already been working hard to prepare to reopen their doors to their families as safely as possible, and the Alliance will continue to develop all the necessary resources, information and guidance to support our members and the wider sector to do so.”

Editor notes 

• The Early Years Alliance is the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England. A registered educational charity, it also provides high-quality affordable childcare and education to support children and families in areas of deprivation throughout the country.

• The Alliance represents 14,000 members and supports them to deliver care and learning to more than 800,000 families every year. We deliver family learning projects, offer information and advice, produce specialist publications, run acclaimed training programmes and campaign to influence early years policy and practice.

• The Alliance website is