The re-opening enables an essential service to resume, helping to combat the negative effects that the lockdown and the closure of schools has caused for many children and families.

Priority criteria

As set out by the Ministry of Education, priority access to nursery schools will be given to families with parents who have to go to work in person and don’t have the chance of flexible hours or who need access to measures to reconcile work and family life. Once these families’ needs are addressed, priority will be given to children from vulnerable or single-parent families.

Safety measures

The following instructions have been established to offer maximum safety and minimise the risk of infection:

• Fixed groups of five infants per classroom.
• Aim to plan activities allowing physical distancing to be maintained as far as possible and to use few materials.
• Priority for open-air spaces, well ventilated and well cleaned.
• Divide communal areas and the playground to keep groups separate.
• Define internal routes around the building.
• Organise staggered access and exit of children.

Educational service

The nursery school service resumes from 15 June to 15 July, from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm, with a child-minding service from 8 am to 9 am. School dinner services are also being offered again (breakfast and lunch), usually in the children’s classroom, as this is considered a basic learning element during infant education.

Nursery schools in summer

The nursery school year ends on 15 July, but most will be offering summer school services during the second half of July. Some schools are also working on an exceptional extension to offer options in August as well.