Covid 19

Tiddlywinks Nursery School  Covid 19 Policy

In line with the government guidelines set out in the Actions for education and childcare settings to prepare for wider reopening and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings our management team have carefully and strategically created the following risk assessment in relation to the safe running of our nursery against COVID19:

*Although each point is numbered; this is not based on a hierarchy system; each point is an integral part of our systematic approach in reducing the risk of the spread of the Coronavirus. Please note this is a working document that is reviewed and revised by our senior management team in accordance to the latest government guidelines.

Covid-19 Tiddlywinks Nursery School  Covid 19

Main Risk Assessment (COVID-19) – Tiddlywinks Nursery School

Rationale: This risk assessment has been created to support the health and safety of the staff, children and families during the reopening of Tiddlywinks Nursery School following our partial closure during the coronavirus outbreak/lock down 2020.

The following actions will taken to control the risks associated with the spread of the Coronavirus:

1.       Social distancing (Staff and children):

Updated July 2021

Although the government has stated that children within the early years are unable to socially distance themselves in accordance to the 2 metre advice; we will put the following measures in place to support social distancing:

·         Children to be separated into groups in line with the adult:child ratios set out in the Early Years Statutory Framework.

·         Where appropriate, grouped children will use separate areas of the provision at one time reducing cross contamination on surfaces and toys. For example; four 2 year olds with one carer on the outdoor learning terrace, four 2 year olds using the indoor learning environment with one carer. Groups will remain the same and will be planned in accordance to sessions, age, staff etc.

·         Outdoor areas will be utilised as much as possible, weather permitting.

·         An additional room will be opened on the top floor for the staff to use during their well-being breaks – providing them with 2 separate staff rooms; a maximum of 2 adults will be allowed in each room at any one time and staff will be encouraged to keep 2 metre distance from one another. Staff well-being breaks will be staggered in accordance to the children’s grouping needs.

2.       Social distancing (Parents and Carers):

Updated July 2021

·         As lockdown restrictions are eased we will continue with our drop off and collection procedures at the entrance of the building only. Parents and carers will be unable to enter the nursery during these drop off/collection times.

·         Parents/carers will be encouraged to keep a 2 metre distance from other children/families. Markers will be set out in the car park area so parents/carers do not congregate together during drop offs/collections of children.

·         Senior management will greet families – one family at a time at the doorway of the nursery for both drop offs and collections of children. If they are able to enter site they will be invited in. If no spaces are available parents/carers must remain outside.

·         Parents/carers must follow the one way system into the nursery grounds and out of the car park. Gates must be securely closed after entering/exiting.

3.       Infection control measures (Handwashing):

·         Children’s hand washing will be actively promoted and monitored by staff, this will include; hand washing on arrival and departure from nursery, at regular intervals throughout the day including before/after eating, after outdoor play, after sneezing/coughing, after toilet use.

·         All staff and children will wash their hands for 20 seconds at a time using running water and soap and drying them thoroughly afterwards. Staff will monitor and support children with this.

·         Hand sanitiser will be readily available at touch point ‘hot spots’ such as doorways, hallways, nappy changing areas, reception area and within every room in the building.

·         Teaching and Learning: staff will use the washing hands song to teach children about effective hand washing.

4.       Infection control measures (Ensuring good respiratory hygiene):

·         The ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach will be promoted to all staff and children in relation to coughing and sneezing. This will be implemented through child-friendly ‘snuffle stations’ in each nursery room which will consist of a separate table with tissues, a small bin with a lid and hand sanitiser. Staff will monitor the use of these stations and make sure they are used appropriately.

·         Teaching and Learning: Staff will teach children about the ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach and why we do this during small group times.

·         Staff returning from sickness absences (Covid or non-Covid related) will be required to undertake an LFT before being authorised to return to work.

5.       Minimising contact with individuals who are unwell:

·         Any child/staff member who present with signs/symptoms of the Coronavirus including; a new, continuous cough or a high temperature may be sent home and will be advised to follow the government guidance surrounding self-isolation.

·         In an instance where we are waiting for a child/staff member to be collected from nursery that have presented with COVID-19 symptoms they may wait in a separate room where possible and any staff members waiting with them will wear appropriate PPE.

·         Parents/Carers of any children presenting with COVID-19 symptoms and/or staff members presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 will be advised to isolate and arrange a PCR test.

6.       PPE:

·         It has been recommended within the government guidance that staff do not need to wear face masks from 19^th July 2021. However, staff will continue to wear face masks when walking in nursery corridors as extra precaution and continue to adhere to the 2 metre social distancing  advice.

·         Original PPE protocol should still be adhered to i.e. white apron/gloves to be worn during nappy/changing times, blue aprons/gloves to be worn during food prep/meal times.

·         In addition to this as previously mentioned; if any staff member/child becomes symptomatic of the Coronavirus any staff dealing with this should then use appropriate PPE including a face mask.

7.       Shielded and clinically vulnerable children and adults:

·         Children/Staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable should have received a letter telling them they’re in this group or been told by their GP; any children/staff who fall into this category will attend based on advice from their GP/Health Practitioner/Government.

·         Parents/carers who are clinically extremely vulnerable should seek medical advice on if it is safe for them to send their children back to nursery.

·         Clinically vulnerable (but not clinically, extremely vulnerable) people who are considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from the Coronavirus should also seek medical advice if their child is in this category before attending. Any staff who fall into this category will not attend work unless advised it is safe by a medical professional.

·         Our nursery SENCO/Safeguarding officer will continually liaise with parents/carers of children with pre-existing medical conditions and will ask these parents/carers to seek medical advice before the phased return even if the child does not fall into either the clinically extremely vulnerable or clinically vulnerable category.

8.       Visitors:

The following procedures will take place in relation to all visitors into the building in addition to our safeguarding/visitors policies which are already implemented:

·         Any important visitors/contractors who need to enter the nursery will be required to sign a COVID 19 health declaration in line with Oldham council to ensure they have no symptoms of the virus or been in contact with any who has. This will help avoid cross contamination/wider spread of the virus.

·         All visitors will need to be booked in advance and will need to wear appropriate PPE – a PPE station will be set up in the waiting area which will include disposable masks, shoe covers and a hand sanitising area.

·         All visitors will have their temperature checked on arrival and we will be unable to welcome them in to the setting  if their temperature is 38 degrees or above and will suggest they seek health advice and rebook at a safer time.

·         As per our normal safeguarding procedures, visitors will be signed in and out of the building – this will support the governments track and trace system and security.

·         Visitors are not permitted into any rooms where children are present. However, visitors may observe rooms/ environments through toughened glass windows

9.       Additional cleaning procedures:

There will be two separate risks assessments in addition to this which will implement extra cleaning/hygiene procedures on a daily basis within the nursery building; please see the following;

·         Additional daily risks assessment (COVID-19) – this will focus on the sanitising of high touch point areas throughout the day including door handles, stair hand rails, key pads etc – see individual sheet for more information.

·         Room risks assessment (COVID-19) – this risk assessment will be completed by practitioners in each of the nursery rooms and will focus on the sanitising of toys/resources, children’s water bottles, ongoing provision etc – see individual sheet for more information.

·         All mops and brushes are ordered to replace the old ones to ensure high standard of hygiene are being followed. Each room will have a new blue mop used for the room and a red mop used for the room lavatories.

10.    Staff deployment:

·         On a daily basis senior management risk assess staff health /well-being/COVID19 symptoms before deploying them for the next working day; this delays staff having advanced notifications of deployment but with its best intentions allows track and trace bubbles, prevents further risk of COVID-19 travelling to other staff, children and parents.

·         On arrival staff members should sanitise their hands and a senior member of staff will take their temperature. If a staff member has a temperature of 38 degrees or above they will be advised to go home and follow government Covid-19 guidelines.

·         Staff should use the staff toilet facilities before starting their shift, on their lunch break and after their shift ends to avoid contact with other staff in other bubbles during the day. However, if a member of staff needs to use the staff toilet facilities during the day they must ask the Nursery manager in charge who will ensure it is not already in use.

·         All resources for children’s activity must be set up the night before or staff should collect resources prior to their shift starting.

·         All staff are responsible to do their own laundry for their own rooms- times will be allocated to do laundry in the utility room by the management team to avoid mixing of staffing from other bubbles

·         Staff are welcome to go out during their dinner time and use the local shops/facilities.

·         Staff using the staff room MUST sanitise the area after use with the cleaning products provided in the staff room cleaning box.

·         ONLY the nursery cook and managers are to enter the nursery kitchen to avoid mixing staffing bubbles and the manager will deliver meals to each room to avoid the nursery cook mixing with different staffing/children bubbles.

11.    Outdoor handovers - COVID Outdoor Marshall

*Updated January  2021

·         We have now implemented a COVID Outdoor Marshall to support the safety of children/parents during our busiest collection times.

·         The role of the COVID Outdoor Marshall is to risk assess the car park/outdoor area as children leave the building – making sure parents/carers are following COVID guidelines in the one-way queuing area.

·         The COVID Outdoor Marshall supports the safe running of outdoor handovers between nursery staff – children – parents.

·         This role also supports safeguarding in relation to recent local roadworks – ensuring cars are entering/leaving the parking area safely.

·         Handovers of children finishing between 3.00-3.30pm will continue to take place outside, utilising our covered garden area.

12.    Lateral Flow Testing (LFT)

·         As per recommendations of Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, we have lateral flow tests available on site.

·         Any staff returning from a period of illness will be asked to complete an LFT as part of their return to work interview process.

·         LFT’s will be available as part of our sanitising station, for anyone that would like to complete a test before entering the nursery setting.