Public Health England letter to parents and guardians - issued September 2020

What are the key points you have put in place to keep everyone safe?

• We have introduced safe operating procedures as outlined in our Covid 19 Risk Assessment
• We continuously keep up-to-date with the latest guidance and amend our Covid-19 Risk Assessment where necessary
• Anyone displaying symptoms COVID-19 e.g. a high temperature, and/or a new, persistent cough and/or loss of taste or smell will not be able to attend nursery and be instructed to call their GP or 111.
• Social distancing and PPE, as far as possible, will be promoted for staff and visitors.
• Nursery tours will only be one individual and the tour will be limited to different areas to avoid bubbles. PPE will be required.
• PPE will be used in the setting during nappy changing, food handling, when caring for a child who is displaying symptoms or when dealing with incidents involving bodily fluids
• Enhanced cleaning of all areas and especially touch points
• Regular handwashing
• Careful monitoring of children’s health

Will staff be tested?

At present, all staff will be tested if they display symptoms. We only accept results from a testing centre as mail-in tests can miss important testing deadlines.

How will social distancing be respected in nursery?

All families will be asked to respect social distancing when arriving at nursery for drop-off and collection.

In nursery, we will aim to achieve this by:

• Monitoring our occupancy carefully
• Avoiding the movement of children and staff between rooms or within communal spaces
• Using the outside areas as much as possible
• Doors and windows open where possible for improved air circulation
• Spending time in small groups (bubbles)
• Each room working independently of other groups
• Keeping the same staff member with the same bubble group as far as possible

Will my child be comforted if upset?

Social distancing must be carefully balanced with ensuring the emotional wellbeing of each child. If your child needs their comforter or a hug, this would never be denied.

Our team is experienced at settling children and nothing has changed. We will care for your child in the same loving ways we always have, offering support and comfort.

Will the staff wear masks? What about if a child displays symptoms?

Government guidance does not recommend the wearing of masks in early years settings. It is very important that young children can see our facial expressions. However, masks will be worn by the staff member if a child displays symptoms. The staff member and the child will go to an isolation area until the parents collect.

Will you talk about the virus at nursery?

Whilst we do not want to frighten the children, it is important that we recognise that this has had an impact on them and their families. The team will talk about the importance of handwashing and coughing safely.

It is important that we are receptive to any thoughts and fears and give the children the opportunity to ask questions.

If we have any concerns, we will always share these with you. It is useful if you can reassure your child about joining us at nursery and that they will have friends to play with, they will have fun, and they will be washing their hands a lot.

Pacey has a lot of useful resources to help you support your child pacey.org.uk

Dr Dog explains coronavirus – www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/dr-dog-ebook-eyfs-t-p-843. 

This book is aimed at early years children and was written by the London School of Hygiene

Are you still doing nursery visits?

Any visits conducted in the nursery will be limited to one person. PPE will need to be worn at all times and the nursery tour may be limited to specific areas to avoid mixing with bubbles.

How will you encourage children to maintain social distancing but still enable them to play alongside one another?

Young children are naturally very affectionate with one another and learning to play alongside, together and to share are very important life skills. We will talk to the children about being mindful, taking turns, not pushing past each other and so on.

We will ensure the handwashing and hygiene is paramount and that the adults maintain social distancing and organise their bubbles in such a way as to minimise contact with another bubble.

We must consider that it has been deemed that it is safe to open nurseries and that as long as we adhere to our safe operating procedures, reviewing our practice and being vigilant, then we are doing the best we can do. It is impossible to eliminate all risk.

What happens if my child has a fever, a cough or is generally unwell?

We will encourage you to phone your GP or 111 for advice. We will also ask that you feedback any suggestions from your health care providers.

My child is teething and might require Calpol.

One of the main symptoms of COVID-19 is a high temperature and so we cannot accept any children who require Calpol in case it is masking a temperature. If you know your child is teething and maybe looks flushed, please speak with the nursery manager and we are happy for you to supply teething granules or gel.

Is there anything I need to provide?

As the temperatures become colder, we would like you to dress your child in layers and pack additional waterproof and warmer clothes. We will be spending time outdoors and will have windows open throughout the season for ventilation.

What should I do if there is a long queue to get into nursery?

Please remember to stand back and wait so as to maintain social distancing.

Are the team aware of all the new procedures?

All the teams have received updated information on signs and symptoms and how to react to a suspected case of COVID-19, handwashing, good hygiene and social distancing. They have been made aware of the track and trace and understand the requirements of them both inside and outside of nursery reading the COVID-19 policy and associated risk assessment.

We would ask you to be cautious in favour of staying away, rather than bringing in your child in if they seem at all unwell. We do rely on everyone in our community to follow the rules outside nursery as well to help keep nursery safe and virus free.

If someone else is displaying symptoms and/or is home awaiting test results, can my child come to nursery?

Anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 10 days. If they live with other people, they should ALL stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone they live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine. If you have any concerns about the health of your family, we will always encourage you to speak to your GP or call 111.

If my child has to self isolate – will I still have to pay my normal nursery fees

Yes you will. During the first 5 months of this pandemic we were able to access government assistance for the business, which allowed us to have a very flexible approach to booking patterns and fees, but sadly this has now been withdrawn. Therefore, we are unable to provide refunds for sessions not used.

What happens to government funded sessions if my child is self-isolating?

Where possible we will rebook funded sessions.

We work with Emma Young, former Nutritionist at Aldi UK who has worked with the Office British Dietetic Association, the British Nutrition Foundation, Vegan and Vegetarian Society and various other organisations such as the Institute for Food, Brain and Behaviour at Oxford University. Emma has joined our team to ensure that we deliver a tasty, healthy and balanced menu that supports every child's developmental needs.

We realise how important it is to encourage healthy living from a young age. We understand that young children need a varied and nutritious diet, and that learning good eating habits at an early age is essential for a child’s health, growth and development.

Meals and snacks are mainly from organic sources where possible and prepared from fresh ingredients each day. Our kitchen staff hold a Level 2 Food Safety Certificate and continuously take training opportunities to extend their knowledge.

We have signed up to the Early Years Code of Practice for Healthy Food and Drink and we work towards the following principles in all of our nurseries:

• We consult with families and children about our menus and keep them informed about issues relating to food and drink in our nurseries.

• We plan varied and highly organic menus for meals and snacks in advance. We aim to include different tastes, colours and textures, and take into consideration seasonality and availability of fruit and vegetables. All of our meals and snacks meet the national best practice food and drink guidelines, including those for early years settings.

• We cater for the dietary requirements of all children wherever possible, working with families to make sure that they can be accommodated. We aim to ensure that children of all cultures and religions can enjoy appropriate meals and snacks.

• We have a positive and welcoming eating environment in order to encourage children to eat well, and develop good eating habits and social skills. We use meals and snacks to teach children about healthy eating, and encourage a positive attitude towards mealtimes.

Outdoor learning is essential to a child's development and well being. All of our nurseries have outdoor play spaces. Our children frequently use our outdoor areas taking part in a wide range of stimulating activities including planting, water play and muddy kitchens.

Our outdoor spaces have been designed with imagination and safety at its core. These spaces provide for inspirational activities such as climbing, balancing, riding, playing games and obstacle courses.

We encourage our children from a young age to take a keen interest in the environment. Many of our outdoor areas include planting stations and vegetable patches, where children learn to care for and appreciate the natural world.

As children grow in their understanding of the natural world, it gives them the opportunity to explore the ways that we can protect and preserve our environment. Children are introduced to the impact of climate change and encouraged to feel passionately about the environment and society.

As soon as you register, your child’s allergy information is given to our chefs and flagged on your child’s profile. We use colour coded allergy bowls and every room has allergy information on the walls for the team to see. If your child has a severe allergy, it is crucial that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can arrange a meeting with the senior management, kitchen and your key person to make an action plan.

Your child's key person will follow what you do in your own home and will work alongside you throughout the potty training process. You can bring your own potty or are welcome to use ours. We are happy to offer advice on how we can work together to toilet train your child.

Medicines that have been prescribed by their own doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist will be administered to your child. If in the event of your child needing relief for teething pain, etc. you may provide appropriate medication, clearly labelled with your child’s name and we will comply with the procedures outlined in our Health and Hygiene Policy. HEALTH-and-HYGIENE-POLICY