Zmiany w wybranych przepisach ustawy z dnia 4 lutego 2011 r. o opiece nad dziećmi do lat 3 wprowadzone w związku z pandemią COVID-19

Abstract

This article aims to discuss changes in the provisions of the Act of 4 February 2011 on the care of children under the age of 3 introduced in connection with the COVID- 19 pandemic, both in terms of new and amended provisions. The pandemic resulted in the introduction of two completely new provisions to the Act (Articles 6a and 6b). One of these allows the minister competent for family affairs, by way of an ordinance, to temporarily limit or suspend the functioning of forms of care for children aged up to 3 across all or part of the country; the other provides that, if necessary, certain provisions of the Act in relation to all or some forms of care for children under the age of 3 can be excluded by means of an ordinance. However, the most important controversy may be over changes regarding the issue of preventive vaccinations. These are not yet required by law, but nothing stands in the way of such a requirement being introduced; individual institutions running nurseries or children’s clubs already have provisions in their statutes requiring or favouring vaccination of children.