Additional May Bank Holiday 2023
As you will be aware, an additional bank holiday will take place on the 8th May 2023 to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
As with other bank holidays, it is at the discretion of individual settings whether they close or stay open. There would be no government expectation for early years and childcare settings to remain open on the bank holiday.
DfE statutory guidance (paragraph A4.37) is clear that local authorities should ensure providers are not penalised through withdrawal of funding for short term closures of a setting, for example, as a result of local or national elections or damage to the premises. Therefore, providers should not be penalised for closing as a result of the additional bank holiday, as is currently the case with other bank holidays. However, providers should be mindful of the impact on parents if they choose to close, and should be confident they can still provide the total number of hours parents agreed with the provider in their parental declaration.
As usual, please let The Early Years Entitlement Team know if you have any questions by contacting the team via the entitlements inbox at EARLYYEARS.ENTITLEMENTS@education.gov.uk or in your routine calls with your Regional Lead.