UNISON is calling on Southend Council to shut down Early Years facilities and nurseries across the coastal town in line with the latest coronavirus lockdown.

Like other school environments the trade union believes settings for younger children should only be open for vulnerable children and those of key workers.

Claire Wormald, Southend’s UNISON branch secretary, has now criticised Southend Council for what she believes is a failure to protect workers and the wider community. 

However, Ian Gilbert, Southend Council leader, has said it is not down to him to make the decision to close Early Years settings and nurseries but sympathises with the concerns of workers.

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Claire said: “Our members tell us they are anxious and concerned about how they are being affected by Early Years opening. 

“They cannot understand why a few months’ age difference makes their setting safer than primary schools.

“Young children may not get seriously ill themselves but by keeping Early Years open, staff, parents and families are all put at risk. 

“The biggest nursery in Southend has 200 children attending and that’s a huge potential for a new Covid outbreak.

“Our message is clear - don’t wait for more infections and deaths before you act, help your staff to make everyone safer now.”

Leaders within UNISON have grown worried about their members having to continue working with clusters of children due to Southend being a hotspot for infections.

So far 11,892 positive Covid-19 cases have been recorded in Southend and the current infection rate stands at 6,493.9 per 100,000 people.

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Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend Council, said he understands the concerns of those working in Early Years and nurseries but said the authority was somewhat powerless. 

“I obviously sympathise with people working in Early Years settings and the concerns they will have around safety,” he said.

“But I must make the point that none of the Early Years settings in Southend are directly under the control of the council.

“They will either be private businesses or not-for-profit organisations which will have to make their own decisions.

“We will always support providers in their decisions regarding safety, but we cannot instruct the facilities to close.”