COVID-19
Standard Operating Procedures
Foreword
We really are delighted to welcome back all our colleagues, children and families.
Here at Happy Days parent/ carers, children's and colleague's safety and well being is of the upmost priority. In order to support you
during these challenging and unusual times, we have created this document to support you and your child's return to Happy Days. We understand that this may be a time of anxiety. We will fully support you and your child to settle back into nursery life.
Safety
Before Arrival At Nursery On Arrival At Nursery Rooms Zones Communal areas Mealtimes Occupancy Outdoor spaces
Nappy changing areas and children's bathrooms Sleep areas
PPE
Wellbeing Transport
Safety
You and your child's safety is of paramount importance to us.
Happy Days has comprehensive risk assessments in line with government polices, to ensure we have carefully analysed how we can work safely with you and your child during these unusual times.
We have implemented some new ways of working that we would like to share with you. These may vary slightly nursery by nursery due to site layout: your nursery
manager will communicate this you!
During the period of enforced lock down, Happy Days has kept four nurseries open. We have been pleased to provide childcare to our key workers and also proud of our teams in doing this safely during these unprecedented times. We can confirm that during this time we have not had any confirmed cases of reported Covid-19 by our nursery colleagues and children. We feel that the measures outlined in this
Happy Days will be operating a strict 'one parent/carer' only policy. As a result, only one adult should drop off and pick up your child/children to/from nursery. Where possible this should be the same person.
Before arrival please ensure that you and your child is in freshly laundered clothes to attend nursery.
Before arrival please take your child’s temperature.
If your child has a temperature of 37.8C or higher or you think your child has a fever, please call 111 and keep your child at home.
We will not be able to care for children who have been administered Calpol prior to
a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature),
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
If you or your child has symptoms of coronavirus stay at home. Please inform us if you or your child has symptoms.
REMINDER
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
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On arrival you will notice our external areas/car parks will include markings. These markings are to enable you to maintain two metres distance from other parents/carers/visitors.
When you are waiting to access the nursery or to collect your child, please form an orderly queue using the floor markings to maintain a safe distance away from others.
A member of the nursery team will come to the door to greet you and your child. Nursery colleagues will be wearing a face mask / visor and maybe an apron. Please note, face masks / visors and aprons will only be worn by our colleagues during drop off, collection and when supporting with personal hygiene. Masks will be removed and routine activities will commence after busy periods.
Key messages about your child will be shared at drop off and collection. Parents/carers will not be permitted into the building. You should greet/say goodbye to your child and depart through the external entrance promptly.
Understandably this is an anxious time for both parent and child. Should you wish to see your child's room prior to attending, please contact your nursery management team who
On arrival, a member of the nursery team will take your child to their room where they will support with hand washing.
Please allow extra time for drop off and collection. This may take longer than normal due to social distancing measures.
Inside the nursery, wall signage will mark out two metre distances to enable social distancing indoors.
On arrival you will be asked to sign a Declaration Form. This is to confirm that:
- You, your child or any household member are not unwell with Covid-19 symptoms.
Symptoms include: a high temperature, a new continuous cough (this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour or more than 3 episodes in 24 hours) and loss or change to sense of taste and/or smell.
The Declaration Form will also ask you to confirm that your child has not
been administered Calpol prior to arrival. We will not be able to care for children who have been administered Calpol prior to attending that day.
The Declaration Form will also ask you to confirm that you, your child or any one in your
household is not clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable. For further
clarification on clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable please refer to the governments guidelines - please see the useful links page at the end of this document. If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, you’re strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact to protect yourself. This is called ‘shielding’ and the advice is:
- Do not leave your house.
- Do not attend any gatherings, including gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, family homes, weddings and religious services.
- Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Government is currently advising people to shield until 30 June 2020 and is regularly
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On entering their room, your child will be greeted and grouped by nursery practitioners as usual. .
Please note, on return your child may not be cared for by their usual key worker. We will be operating with small groups whilst numbers are lower than usual.
Where the physical layout of the setting does not allow for children to be kept at a safe distance apart, we will introduce a temporary cap so you may see fewer children in rooms initially. Your nursery manager will liaise with you as to which group your child is in.
We are aiming for children to remain in their small groups wherever possible, in line with the ratios contained in the Early Years Foundation stage. Where age appropriate, we will aim for siblings to be in the same group. Our larger rooms will not exceed 16 children initially. This may increase/decrease as new guidance is published.
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Groups will stay together all day with the same carers where this is possible. This
includes mealtimes. Toileting and nappy routines will be undertaken on an individual basis.
Groups will each have timetabled outdoor play to ensure all children have access to fresh air and exercise daily.
If a member of your child's group is confirmed as having Coronavirus (colleague or child), all group parents/carers/ colleagues will be contacted, asked to stay at
home to self isolate for 14 days. There is additional information on isolation further on in this document.
If your child was due to move rooms, where possible we will aim to do this now.
The small groups where possible will be set up so that they are 2 metres away from each other throughout the day.
Rooms will have a reduced amount of resources out at any one time. Where
possible, can we please ask that your child does not bring toys or playthings from home into nursery.
Each room at the nursery will be separated in to zones. Each zone will have an exciting activity on offer.
Small groups of children will be placed with the same carer where possible in a zone.
There will be limited interchanging of zones.
Zones will be cleaned regularly throughout the day including prior to being
accessed by another group. Toys will be removed for cleaning before used by the next group.
Please be mindful that our children are very young and there may be
occasions where a child may go to another zone. This is ok, there is no need to panic. We are all learning from this new experience.
Expressive Arts &
Design
Activities that capture personal, social, emotional development and
communication and language
Literacy & Maths
·
Activities to promote both aspects of the
Physical
Development
Outdoor area to be used to promote children’s physical development including
fine and gross motor skills
Understanding the
world
Utilise construction resources, animals and
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Expressive Arts & Design
Messy Play - Planned activities
should also include opportunities to promote PSE.
Communication &
Language
Books, stories, cosy spaces and for example,
Physical Development
Indoor & Outdoor area to be used to promote children’s physical development including fine and
gross motor skills
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Example Group Timetable
arrival
*Small group settling
in activity e.g. Singing nursery rhymes
morning
*Small Group Garden time *Small Group Indoor activity Small Group Pre-meal hand washing and sanitising of eating
area
SMALL GROUP MORNING SNACK
Small Group Post-meal hand washing and sanitising of eating
area
**Small group story time
** Small group messy play activity ( e.g.playdough, painting, gloop, junk
modelling –
This can be actioned either indoors / outdoors
afternoon
Small Group
Pre-meal hand washing and sanitising of eating area
SMALL GROUP LUNCH
AND SLEEP TIME IF APPLICABLE
Small Group
Post-meal hand washing and sanitising of eating area *Small Group Garden time *Small Group Indoor activity **Small group messy play activity e.g.playdough, painting, gloop, junk
modelling – linked to the children’s current interests
late
afternoon
Small group - Pre-meal hand washing and sanitising of eating
area
SMALL GROUP TEA
Small Group
Post-meal hand washing and sanitising of eating area *Small Group Garden Time **Small group messy play activity
This can be either indoors or outdoors
fresh uniform
hand washing prior to undertaking any tasks and at regular intervals staying away from work if unwell.
appropriate use of relevant PPE
training in policies, procedures and adhering to risks assessments. testing and tracing - refer to page 29
We would like to reassure you that our nursery colleagues are following stringent hygiene and safety procedures which includes:
Traffic in communal areas such as the corridor will be kept to a minimum.
Essential visitors will be reminded to respect social distancing if for any reason they are permitted into the building.
Parents/carers are to be politely requested to keep 2 meters from the nursery team member dealing with their query where possible.
For nurseries with reception spaces, signage will be displayed to remind essential visitors to keep 2 metres away from the reception desk.
Sneeze Screens will also be provided for nurseries who have smaller reception areas and cannot social distance effectively. Each site entrance has been
reviewed to assess risk.
There will be someone working in the office to attend to essential visitors and parents/carers.
When entry is permitted by a nursery colleague only through a visibility panel at the door, parents/carers / essential visitors are asked to allow time for the member of
the nursery team opening the door, to step back a safe distance before handing over their child.
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Mealtimes
Nursery colleagues will take children to the bathroom in their small groups to wash and dry their hands. The Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager will support with this.
Children will wash and dry their hands and will be encouraged to do so for at least 20 seconds. Nursery colleagues will also wash and dry their hands for at least 20 seconds.
Nursery colleagues will sit with no more than 4 children at a table where possible.
Where possible tables (not the children) will be set up at least 2 meters apart to facilitate this. Young babies who use low chairs will be sat 2 meters away from each other. However, they
must always be facing their peers and key-carers to promote their emotional well-being.
Packed lunches or food from home will not be permitted to avoid cross contamination of food and refrigerators.
We will aim to stagger staff breaks and children’s lunch times to further facilitate social distancing.
Once mealtime is finished, the eating area will be cleaned using detergent disinfectant ,Suma Bac(D10) and the room reset for the next session.
Occupancy
It is planned that initially the nurseries will operate at a lower occupancy level wherever possible to ensure a gradual transition from home to nursery, as per government guidelines. This will also facilitate effective social distancing. Occupancy may increase as children become more settled (within government guidelines) and where space permits.
Outdoor Space
Timetabled play to the outdoor area should continue. However, staff will manage this sensibly and keep groups separate where possible. If staff notice the outdoor area is very busy, they will encourage some children to a ‘clean zone’ indoors. Opportunities for fresh air and exercise must be provided daily for all children. This has
Nappy changing areas &
children's bathrooms
Nappies will be changed individually and children will visit the bathroom independently of other children. If a child does need the toilet while another child is visiting the bathroom, we allow them to do so to support their care and personal needs. The usual Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)will be used, surfaces cleaned down and hand washing procedures followed.
Sleep areas
Distancing of beds/cots/ coracle will be facilitated. They will be at least two meters apart where this is possible. Bedding will be laundered in line with the company risk assessment.
At least
PPE
PPE is available for nursery colleagues at all times and they will wear this in line with
government guidelines (additional PPE is available if our colleagues wish to wear this). Hand washing will take place with soap and water frequently – for at least 20 seconds. Children will be supported in an age appropriate way to understand the steps they can take to keep themselves safe, including regular hand washing and sneezing into a tissue.
1-1 Care
If your child has individual 1-1 care, we will need to ensure we can meet your child's needs
fully at this time. This will require a detailed discussion with you. The nursery manager will then assess how well we can support your child's needs. This will be carried out using a specifically designed risk assessment.
Please note we may not be able to offer your child a place if our risk assessment informs us that we cannot fully and safely meet your child's needs.
Well-being
Children must be supported to understand the changes and challenges they may be encountering as a result of Covid-19. Nursery colleagues must ensure they are aware of children’s needs for emotional support at this time. Nursery colleagues will review
children's settling in forms to support this.
At Happy Days, the well-being of our colleagues is, at this time more important than ever. Each nursery setting will hold regular well-being meetings and colleague check in
Contact you and ask you to collect your child immediately.
A nursery colleague will care for your child in an identified area away from others.
On arrival your child will be brought to the door with their belongings, by the member of staff caring for them. Please note, this colleague will be wearing PPE including apron, gloves, face mask / visors and possibly goggles.
All staff and children who are attending an education or childcare setting will have access to a test if they display symptoms of corona virus, and are encouraged to get tested in this
scenario. Further information on testing and tracing can be found on page 28 of this document
If your child becomes unwell in our care:
Parents/carers on collection from nursery should call 111 to seek medical advice or 999 if your child's condition deteriorates and you feel it is a medical emergency.
You must adhere to all medical guidance given including isolation timescales and your child will not be permitted back to nursery again until medical advice deems this is suitable for them to
you can stop self-isolating if your symptoms have gone, or if you just have a cough or changes to your sense of smell or taste – these symptoms can last for weeks after the infection has gone
keep self-isolating if you have any other symptoms (such as a high temperature, runny nose, feeling sick or diarrhoea) – you can stop self-isolating when your symptoms have gone
If you live with someone who has symptoms, self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started. This is because it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear.
If more than 1 person at home has symptoms, self-isolate for 14 days from the day the first person started having symptoms.
If you get symptoms while self-isolating – you should self-isolate for 7 days from when your
The NHS advises the following:
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, self-isolate for 7-14 days.
After 7 days:
All nursery colleagues and children who are attending an education or childcare setting will have access to a test if they display symptoms of corona virus, and are encouraged to get tested in this scenario.
Where the child, young person or staff member tests negative, they can return to their setting and the fellow household members can end their self-isolation.
Where the child, young person or colleague member tests positive, the rest of their room within their childcare or education setting must be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
The other household members of that wider class or group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms.
As part of the national test and trace programme, if other cases are detected within the cohort or in the wider setting, Public Health England’s local health protection teams will conduct a rapid investigation and will advise schools and other settings on the
most appropriate action to take.
In some cases a larger number of other children, young people may be asked to self-isolate at home as a precautionary measure – perhaps the whole site. Where settings are observing guidance on infection prevention and control, which will reduce risk of transmission, closure of the whole setting will not generally be necessary.
Parents and carers must sign a daily declaration confirming that they or their child do not have symptoms, are not clinically vulnerable or extremely clinically vulnerable and that they have read the relevant government and NHS guidance in relation to COVID-19.
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travel with household members only.
have clean hands when entering the vehicle and good practice is to have hand sanitiser in the vehicle.
have clean clothing on.
use the hand sanitiser on arrival at nursery or wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
adhere to social distancing measures
drop off/collect their child and leave promptly from the door.
Parents/carers should consider all other forms of transport before using public transport. Parents are encouraged to walk or cycle to work.
Where parents travel via car they must:
If parents travel via public transport including taxi’s they must:
If parents can, they should wear a face covering if they need to use public transport.
They should adhere to all social distancing measures or procedures in line with their transport
Useful links
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Part of Coronavirus (COVID-19)Education and childcare
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare
Coronavirus (COVID19): Advice for parents
https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/coronavirus-covid19-advice-for-parents/
Coronavirus (COVID-19)Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), a new illness that affects your lungs and airways.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020
Implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures Early years foundation stage (EYFS) coronavirus disapplications
