Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Action Plan

Focus Area Of Consideration Plan

Contact

Drop off/ Collection

• Families MUST drop off and adhere to social distancing using the markers outside the nursery, 1 adult per family. 

• Only parent/ carers who are symptom free and or have completed the required isolation periods will be able to drop off/ collect their child.

• Practitioners will ensure drop off and collection times are recorded.

• On arrival at the nursery, it is reasonable to ask if parent/ carers, children or any member of the household have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature or a persistent cough). If the answer is yes, they should not be allowed to leave their child at the setting. The child cannot return until a negative test has been confirmed and agreed return with nursery or current isolation guidelines followed.

• We will be using 2 drop off and collection areas. Pre school will use the outside pre school gate to drop off and collect their child, on arrival they will call 01482 353898. Babies and Toddlers will continue to use the main front door.

• Parent/ carers are to leave promptly and move away from the nursery whilst maintaining social distancing guidelines.

• On arrival practitioners take the child to wash their hands thoroughly.

Physical distancing/

Grouping

• The playroom will be divided into sections to enable small group ‘bubbles’.

• Wherever possible practitioners should remain with the small group of children, the ‘bubble’ of children who they are allocated to and not come in to contact with other groups.

• Children’s sessions will be organised into small groups of attendance, wherever possible these small groups or ‘bubbles’ should not mix during the week.

Communication

• Any minor accidents will be communicated to all parents / carers via email, parent/ carers are asked to acknowledge this via email.

• Basic feedback on the child’s day will be communicated via Tapestry/ Email, no verbal feedback will be given. 

• We require as much notice as possible in regards to sessions, returning of children to nursery to ensure we have the correct staffing ratio to meet the children’s needs.

Children

• Minimal contact with children is requested, however practitioners will do any necessary duties in order to care for your child.

EYFS

Learning + Development

• The resources available will be that can be cleaned effectively. 

• There will be NO sensory play for the foreseeable as this is NOT easily cleaned.

• Children should be supported in developmentally appropriate ways to understand the steps they can take to keep themselves safe, including regular hand washing and sneezing into a tissue.

• There will be no soft furnishings including, cushions and role play outfits.

• Children should be supported to do as much for themselves as possible.

• Outdoor spaces will be used by different ‘bubbles’ at different times of the day.

• NO outings permitted.

Tapestry

• Keep a look out for updates.

• Photos/ Observations will continue to be implemented on those attending however this will vary to the setting’s usual practice.

• Activity ideas and learning topics will continue to be posted for everyone to access.

Children’s Well-Being

• Children should be supported to understand the changes and challenges they may be encountering as a result of COVID-19 and staff need to ensure they are aware of children’s attachments and their need for emotional support at this time.

• Implement strategies for supporting children’s mental well-being whilst social distancing e.g. crying babies/ toddlers. (small children expect to be cuddled when upset)

• If your child requires a sleep, sleep blankets will be provided by nursery for the day and washed on a hot setting at the end of the day. Parent/ carers are asked NOT to bring in any blankets unless this is totally essential to their child’s wellbeing, the snooze mats to sleep on will be appropriately distanced.

Vulnerable Children

• Ensure any vulnerable children are supported by other agencies e.g. SEN team, and they are informed of returning children.

Food

Food Preparation and Kitchen Area

• Shoe coverings MUST be worn before entering the kitchen.

• Nursery cook will wear full PPE and will be extra vigilant. 

Meals

• 4 people per table.

• No child ‘bubble’s should meet, meal times will be conducted in your child’s bubble area.

• Practitioners and children will continue to wash their hands before and after all meals.

• Practitioners will handle eaten food as little as possible.

• Practitioners will wear appropriate PPE.

• Parent/ carers are to provide a cup for your child’s water to stay at the nursery. 

• Meals will be plated up, there will be no self service.

• Parents are to provide wipes for face washing and all personal hygiene to limit the use of laundry.

• Menus will vary from the 01.06.2020 for the foreseeable.

Health +

Safety

Cleaning

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces, toys and resources throughout the day This includes tables, chairs, resources, equipment, door handles, light switches, countertops, handles, toilets, taps and sinks. 

• A pair of disposable gloves will be worn for cleaning and will be disposed of immediately after cleaning. 

• Items used in the nursery such as bedding, flannels, towels that require laundering will be washed in line with the NHS laundry guidelines.

• Regularly clean electronics such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, telephones and remote controls throughout the day.

Supplies

• The setting will provide all the necessary cleaning equipment needed to make sure the setting is able to cope with the demand of the level of cleaning required.

• The nursery is able to source products from several retailers.

Personal Hygiene

• We expect children, practitioners and families to maintain good personal hygiene. This will mean for everyone to take a bath or shower daily. We require all hair that can be tied up must be.

• Children and practitioners are to wear clean clothes each day. Clothes are to be washed daily. If the practitioner does not have a clean uniform black clothing is permitted.

• No toys to be brought in to the nursery from home.

• Parent/ carers must ensure children’s bags are wipeable as they will need to be wiped down before they can be hung on their pegs.

• Increase toilet hygiene and procedures, nose cleaning, disposing of tissues and hand washing.

• Ensure children wash hands regularly, throughout the day, as well as before eating, after coughing or sneezing.

• Encourage children to avoid touching their face, eyes, nose and mouth and promote ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’

• It is the parent/ carers responsibility to apply long lasting sun cream e.g P20 before arrival as sun cream will NOT be applied. The garden will not be used in peak sun times.

PPE

• Practitioners will wear PPE as usual for meal times and nappy changing.

• Practitioners will not be asked to wear face masks. Guidance at present states that anything other than a clinical face mask will not stop you catching the virus. A cloth mask will prevent you passing your germs but will not stop you from catching it. 

• If parent/ carers want to send their child with a face mask you may do so, however we are unable to force a child to wear it if they chose to take it off.

• We will also not stop practitioners from wearing a face mask should they feel the need to do so. 

Ventilation

• Windows will be kept open where possible to ensure ventilation. The air con system will remain off unless absolutely necessary.

Operation

Opening Hours

• Nursery opening times are amended to 7.30am -5.30pm Monday-Friday only.

Disposal of potentially contaminated waste

• Waste from possible cases and cleaning of areas where possible cases have been, should be double bagged and put in a suitable and secure place, marked for storage until:

1. The individual tests negative; waste can then be put in the normal waste

2. The individual tests positive or results not known; then store it for at least 72 hours and put in with normal waste.

Government Guidance

• Keep up to date with revised protocols and get support from QI officer.

Potential New Families

• New family show rounds will be done virtually, outside of nursery hours.

Visits

• Attendance to the setting should be restricted to children and practitioners as far as practically possible and visitors should not be permitted to the nursery unless essential (e.g. essential building maintenance)

• Where essential building maintenance are required these should be made outside of the usual nursery hours, where possible.

Payments

• No cash payments will be taken from the 01.06.2020, bank transfer is required.

• All current nursery accounts need to be up to date by 31.05.2020 to enable a child to re start on the 01.06.2020.

• All fees are to be paid on the 1st of the month for that month.  

• All booked sessions are paid for whether your child attends or not.

Website + Social Media

• Keep a look out for updates on our website, Facebook and Instagram.

Staff

Training

• All practitioners must receive appropriate instruction and training on infection control and the standard operation procedure and risk assessments within which they will be operate.

• Where possible, meetings and training sessions will be conducted through virtual conferencing/email.

• Management will clearly and promptly keep all practitioners informed of changes and details of policies ect.

Attendance

• Practitioners should only attend the nursery if they are symptom free, have completed the required isolation period or achieved a negative test result.

• Management will keep good communication with practitioner on their health and well-being.

Resources

• Practitioners will be supplied with their own basket of essentials e.g cleaning, PPE and stationary, tablet, this will not be shared.

Breaks

• Social distancing will be maintained during breaks.

• Practitioners should avoid physical contact with each other including handshakes, hugs ect.

• Practitioners are expected to remain in the building at all times during their working day. If they have to leave due to an essential need they must change out of their work clothes.

Belongings

• Practitioners belongings must be kept in their designated area in the staff room. 

Transport

Arriving At Nursery

• Wherever possible practitioners, parent/ carers should travel to the nursery using their own transport.

• If public transport is necessary, current guidance on the use of public transport must be followed.

In House

• Avoid the use of the nursery lift unless absolutely essential.

Transport Accessories

• Parent/carers are to ensure they DO NOT leave travel accessories this includes buggies, car seats and bikes on the nursery premises. 

Unwell

Child’s Well-Being Before Arrival

• Only children who are symptom free or have completed the required isolation period attend the setting.

• Any child who has taken any form of paracetamol or ibuprofen will not be allowed into nursery for 48 hours after symptoms have ended.

• Any child who displays signs of a cold will not be allowed in the nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have ended and or a negative test result.

If a child starts displaying symptoms

• If a child begins displaying a continuous cough or a high temperature, they should be sent home to isolate per the guidelines.

• A child awaiting collection should be moved, if possible and appropriate, to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door. If it is not possible to isolate them, move them to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people. A window should be opened for ventilation. If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, the bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else. If a practitioner has helped someone who displayed symptoms they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. They should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell. If clinical advice is needed, the setting staff, parent or carer should go online to NHS (or call 111 if they do not have internet access).

Test Kits

• Any child or practitioner attending the nursery is eligible for a COVID-19 test. 

• If the child or practitioner tests positive the full room must self isolate for 14 days. Members of the wider class families, do not need to self isolate unless they develop symptoms.

Vulnerable Children

• Any child who has been told to shield or who is clinically vulnerable cannot attend the setting. 

Well-Being Check

• Random temperature checks will be made to both staff and children throughout the day, if your child has a temperature of 37.8 or above you will be asked to collect your child immediately.

This plan was created on Monday 18th May 2020 by Caroline Davis and Lizzi Wilkinson, it will be updated as and when required as we plan to go through our phased return following government guidance. It will be shared via our website and tapestry to continuously update parent/ carers.