COVID-19 Update

Dealing with a Pandemic Policy

If we were to have a global outbreak of a new disease and a pandemic is announced by our Government, we would look to follow the advice given to us via the Department for Education alongside the guidance from the University of Essex to influence our decisions in relation to the running of the nursery.  Scientists will be learning about the disease and we will respond to changes announced to ensure we are remaining up to date with instructions on keeping us all as safe as possible.

This policy and associated risk assessment is in place to ultimately limit the spread of infection within the nursery setting.

Who is at risk?

Although everyone is at risk including: staff, children, parents/carers of the children attending and any other individuals involved in the day to day operation of the Nursery.

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Preventing the spread of infection

The general principles to help prevent the spread of disease are through effective hand washing:

• Hand washing procedures taught and displayed: soap and water for at least 20 seconds (we use songs to help the children learn how long to wash them for)
• All visitors, staff and children will be required to wash their hands immediately upon arrival at the nursery and before leaving (external hand washing basins are available at the entrance to the nursery; staff will use the internal basins to wash your child’s hands before leaving).
• Paper towels will be available to dry hands and be disposed of easily
• After visiting the toilet
• After coughing or sneezing
• Before food preparation
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, disposing of the tissue and washing hands “catch it, bin it, kill it”
• Avoid touching eyes, noses and mouth
• Using an alcohol based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Staff will support the education of these hygiene standards and ensure that they are maintained by staff and the children during their nursery day.

Cleaning

Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly takes place, particularly in areas of high use such as door handles, light switches, furniture, resources and toys. The areas will be cleaned regularly using appropriate cleaning products and methods. Rigorous checks will be carried out by Managers and our University Health and Safety Officers to ensure that the University procedures and Government guidelines are being fully adhered to at all times.

The nursery has a Clorax disinfectant sprayer (similar to the ones used in Hospitals, Rail and Emergency Services).  Staff have been trained to use this in the nursery if we have a confirmed case of Covid-19.

Social Distancing

The recommended distance for safe distancing is 2m. However, this is extremely difficult to maintain in a setting such as a nursery. The following changes have been made to the running of each session:

• Parents are not permitted into the nursery building and will be asked to practise safe distancing of 2m whilst waiting to drop off and collect their children.
• Lunch times and snack times will be within the children’s own rooms. Food trolleys are delivered to rooms to prevent staff going in and out of rooms and to cut down on opportunities to cross with others in the corridors.
• We will implement room “bubbles” where the same staff members and children will stay together for the whole day
• Outdoor play will be encouraged as much as possible

Guidance on dealing with a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 infection within the setting

• In the event of a child developing suspected infectious Covid-19 symptoms whilst attending the setting, they will be collected as soon as possible and isolated at home in line with the NHS guidance.
• Whilst waiting for the child to be collected they will be moved, if possible to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door (with appropriate adult supervision) A window will be opened for ventilation.
• If the child needs to use the toilet in the time they are waiting to be collected they will use a separate bathroom, if possible. The bathroom will be cleaned and disinfected before used by anyone else.
• The staff member responsible for the child during this time will be a staff member from their ‘bubble’. The staff member will wear appropriate PPE including a face mask while waiting with the child.
• In an emergency, the manager/supervisor is to call 999 if the child becomes seriously ill or injured.
• The team responsible for cleaning the area will wear appropriate PPE and use the Clorax disinfectant sprayer as directed and according to the current recommend workplace legislation and practise.
• The member of staff who has been in contact with the child displaying symptoms does not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. The member of staff will adhere to strict hand washing routines as usual (20 seconds)
• In the event of a staff member developing suspected symptoms whilst working at the nursery, they will return home immediately and isolate at home in line with the NHS guidance.

Disclaimer

We are asking parents to complete a disclaimer form before joining or returning to the nursery after time off. Please access it here.

What do the parents say?

Read below some of the parents’ quotes regarding how we are dealing with the situation.

“I wanted to email to simply say how amazing everyone has been during this difficult time. I really thought my son would struggle, being a very clingy child and spending so much time at home, however, he has drastically improved and is going in really happily every morning, and coming home having very clearly had an amazing day. I must commend all the staff, although from my son’s perspective, especially Charlotte and Ellie. He is excited to go back to nursery every day! I can only imagine the worry that the staff must have gone through when returning to work, and really recognise the sacrifice they have all made to welcome our children back. I am sure as a nursery you do not get the positive feedback that you deserve, so wanted to take the time to really say thank you so much!” Sam H

“Just to say I think you’re all doing an amazing job and I’m so super impressed with how you’ve handled the whole crisis. My daughter is so happy back at nursery!” Hannah R

“I just wanted to say (again) how much your efforts are appreciated, particularly your thoughtful and user-centred approach to the way you provide services. This just goes to show (again) why you are an outstanding nursery, and I will be really sad when my son leaves at the end of August for school.

Thank you for being so positive and supportive at a time when everything else is so frustrating and difficult. 😊 “ Emma W

“I can only imagine what a mammoth task this has been trying to sort the paperwork for this, both me and Mike have been incredibly grateful to how understanding the nursery has been regarding not charging parents during the closure and throughout your re-opening.

We wondered, as the nursery would have lost income at this time, is it possible to make a donation of resources and if there is anything particular that would be useful. We are due to stock up some of our daughters craft bits, so would like to get something for the nursery too if this would be OK/helpful.

Best Wishes “ Rachel R