Following the most recent document published from the Department of Education we have updated our COVID 19 policy in the aim to keep our families and colleagues of First Steps informed of the latest guidance published Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
We will be using the following government guidelines to continue to plan and implement safe practices for everyone who uses our service: Below attached is the latest information on self-isolation, which takes effect as from the 24th February. What the latest advice on testing and self-isolation means for education settings - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
Self-isolation
From 24 February, the Government will remove the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test. In addition, the Government will no longer ask fully vaccinated close contacts and those aged under 18 to test daily for 7 days and routine contact tracing will end.
If a child has any of the main symptoms or a positive test result, the public health advice remains unchanged and is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
Anyone with any of the main COVID-19 symptoms should order a test and is advised to stay at home while waiting for the result.
If they test positive, they are advised to follow public health advice. Public Health England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Our main principles will be:
· All staff/children with a confirmed positive COVID-19 test or displaying symptoms which include, continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste and smell, “Main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)” we advise you to stay home until well enough to return.
· Continuing to maintain high cleaning schedule and promotion of good hygiene standards.
· Provide adequate PPE for our team.
· All outside visitors/prospective families will be limited to view the setting during out of hours.
What will we be doing to keep your child safe?
First Steps has carbon dioxide monitors fitted to identify areas where ventilation needs to be improved and provide reassurance that existing ventilation measures are working, helping balance the need for good ventilation with keeping rooms warm.
Good ventilation, hygiene and encouraging vaccination uptake for all members of staff.
First Steps Childcare will be continuously reviewing our Medicine policy as to whether a child can be administered Paracetamol or Nurofen during their day at First Steps.
First Steps will require a detailed explanation as to why a child has required any kind of pain relief before attending the setting. If for example your child is unwell, and has a high temperature, or generally feeling ‘under the weather’, we ask parents to please NOT bring your child to the setting and to get a PCR test booked.
Cleaning and hygiene
· We will ensure that sufficient handwashing facilities are available. Where a sink is not nearby, we will provide hand sanitiser.
· We will clean surfaces that children and practitioners are touching, such as toys, books, desks, chairs, doors, sinks, toilets, light switches, and bannisters more regularly than normal.
· Risk assessments and cleaning rotas are in place, monitored and adhered too throughout the day. Two members of the team are on the late shift to ensure cleaning is maintained to a high standard.
Staff will be given the option to wear a mask during drop off and collection times.
We will ensure that all practitioners and children:
· frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, drying them thoroughly with a disposable paper towel.
· sanitise or wash their hands with soap upon arrival at the setting, before and after eating, after sneezing or coughing and when exiting the setting.
· are encouraged not to touch their mouth, eyes, and nose.
· use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze, disposing of the tissue in the allocated bins (‘catch it, bin it, kill it’).
· We will ensure that help is available for children who have trouble washing their hands independently.
· We will consider how to encourage young children to learn and practise these habits through games, songs, and repetition.
· We will be emptying bins more often when tissues have been deposited throughout the day.
· Where possible, all spaces will be well ventilated using natural ventilation (opening windows or ventilation units).
· We will prop doors open, where safe to do so (bearing in mind fire safety and safeguarding procedures), and aid ventilation.
· There is no need for anything other than normal personal hygiene and washing of clothes following a day in a childcare setting.
· All equipment being used to support children’s sleep will be washed at the end of every day and we will continue to allocate children with their own bedding to avoid cross contamination.
· All catering and cleanliness procedures will be adhered to, and all practitioners supporting mealtimes will either wear a disposable or fabric apron which will be washed after every use.
· Aprons and gloves will be worn for care needs as per normal practice.
General information about entry/exit:
· Downstairs parents/carers will be expected to stay at the Childcare gate (queuing to the right-hand side). Please encourage your child to ring the buzzer while you always remain to the right side to the black gate. Upon collection we ask for parents/carer to ring buzzer and step back two metres from the main door.
Upstairs parents/carers will be asked to use the buzzer to the large black gate on the left (also queuing to the left) and wait for a member of staff to admit their child through the gate. Upon collection, please remain to the left side, standing back until a member of the team can bring your child to you.
· If your child is upset upon arrival, the practitioner will assist parents in taking the child. We are continuing to limit adults into the setting.
· We continue to strongly encourage that during this time you maintain social distancing, strongly discourage groups forming to talk.
· Children are required to use the hand sanitiser available before entering the setting. May we request that parents also use the hand sanitiser upon drop-off and pick-ups.
· Buggies, bikes, car seats etc. must not be left at the setting.
· Any delivery drivers such as the food shop must not to enter the building.
· Any visitors are to enter the setting by appointment only - ideally outside of our opening hours of 8am-5:30pm.
· Any non-essential workers will be limited into the setting during operation.
· It will be optional for all members of the team to wear a face covering when seeing children in and out of the door.
Fees:
· In the event of a temporary setting closure due to local/ Government guidance such as a COVID-19 lockdown, fees will be payable in full for the first four weeks as per your terms and conditions.
· If your child must self-isolate because either: they have a positive confirmed case of Coronavirus, are awaiting a test result, or have been in contact with a person who has received a positive test result, we require full payment of fees.
· Invoices will be generated a week before the 1st of every month. All payments will be expected on the 1st of every month
· If you choose to self-isolate yet First Steps remains open, then you will still be required to pay your fees in full to secure your child’s space at the setting.
· Should you wish to take your child out of the setting, you will be charged the four weeks notice period as per our terms and conditions.
New starters:
If your child is newly joining the setting, we honour 2x two-hour free taster sessions. These however can be flexible and gradual dependant on each individual child’s needs. Parent initial stay and play sessions will be limited to the outside areas and times can be arranged with a member of the team. If you could please ensure you complete the ‘All About Me’ form on our website prior to your child starting, this will provide practitioners with the relevant information to support their transition.
Child illness:
If your child becomes unwell at home, we require you to notify us, specifying when you intend to return. We will not be taking temperatures on arrival to the setting. Temperatures will only be checked if we suspect the child to have one.
If a child presents symptoms of COVID-19 while attending the setting, you will be contacted to collect your child, (you will also be given an information sheet stating the reasons why you have been called and additional information such as the child’s temperature if it was taken at the setting). Following COVID-19 symptoms, your child is advised to have a PCR test and stay home until well. Once you have received the results you will need to email them to enquiries@fsdaynursery.co.uk. It is essential that we always have an up-to-date contact number that you can be contacted on immediately.
What happens if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus in our setting?
We would encourage all individuals displaying signs and symptoms of COVID 19 to take a PCR test and stay home unwell until well enough to return.
More information the latest COVID-19 advice is available on: COVID-19 Response: Living with COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
We hope this policy has provided you with the relevant information regarding Covid-19 and we will endeavour to adapt and inform you of any procedures that may change.