People in Milton Keynes protest about children's nurseries staying open during lockdown

So far more than 2,000 people have signed the petition, which will go straight to the government as soon as 10,000 signatures are reached.

It is titled 'Urgent call for the government to close all nurseries and early years settings in light of the new lockdown to protect early years staff.'

You can sign the petition hereNurseries and early years providers were closed during the March lockdown, but many still charged full fees or a percentage of the fees.

This time, despite closing all schools, the government has deemed that such facilities for the under-fives can stay open.

While this is an asset for working parents and those in keyworker roles, there are still concerns about infection spreading.

Also, parent who opt not to send their children during lockdown will still be liable for the fees if the nursery is a private one.

Many staff say their health is being put at risk and there has been no mention of them being eligible for a priority vaccine to protect them against infection.

The National Day Nurseries Association’s (NDNA) chief executive Purnima Tanuku said nurseries were being put into “an intolerable position by the government”.

She said: “This is causing real fear for staff, parents and providers. It is shocking that early years are being ignored again in this debate despite the fact that the sector has worked like a fourth emergency service throughout."

Ms Tanuku is calling for the government draw up safety plans for staff and children in childcare, child-minding and other childcare settings.

One local mum said: "My older children are not allowed to go to school and we're all told to stay at home but my younger child can still go to nursery, potentially to mix with dozens of others. If I don't send him, I'll still be charged. It seems crazy."

But another single working parent said the decision not to close nurseries this time was a "Godsend" to her. "I would really struggle to cope without it," she said.