The government has stressed that childminders and nurseries are to follow the same restrictions as schools and colleges amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Wednesday, the government confirmed that schools and colleges will close for most pupils when the gates shut on Friday.
But there has been some confusion over whether the same rules apply to childminders and nurseries.
Now the Department of Education has stressed that it's the same for all education providers - and only those who mind vulnerable children, those with special needs and the children of key workers can stay open.
The full list of affected key workers has now been published here and includes a whole host of professions, including nursery and teaching staff.
But because of the confusion, the DfE has reiterated the guidance and said: "At the end of the day on Friday, we will ask registered early years and childcare providers, including childminders to close, except for children of key workers and the most vulnerable children as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus."
Jackie O'Brien, from Tameside, has been a childminder for 13 years and accepts it's 'for everyone's safety' she may have to close.
What she is concerned about is the number of people she has seen offering childminding services online when they're not necessarily registered.
"I have seen so many posts on Facebook offering to look after people’s children from people who aren’t registered," said Jackie, who looks after seven children at various times throughout the week.
"It’s so scary that some people don’t understand the severity of the situation and that the government is trying to protect us all with the measures they are bringing in."
She added: "If I do have to close I’m hoping it doesn’t affect my business and I’ll still be here for my current parents when the time comes. Unregistered childcare could affect other childminders though."
The government's stance has been conveyed to childminders and nurseries by PACEY, the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.
A spokesperson said: "We have clarified this with the DfE this morning. Anyone required to register on either of the Ofsted childcare registers will be expected to close. The government are taking these measures in order to support the social isolation needed to control the spread of the virus."
