Pandemic Policy
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak
(Policy will remain in place in the event of another national lockdown).
Busy Bees Playgroup intends to use this policy to provide precautionary measures to minimise transmission risks of disease in the setting during an epidemic or pandemic. It also states ideas for continuity of business if allowed.
Legislation and leading authorities which have guided and influenced this policy are:
Coronavirus Act 2020, Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Government Briefings, Public Health England (PHE) and World Health Organisation (WHO). Advice from but not limited to, The Secretary of State, The Chief Medical Officer, Local Authority (LA) and Department for Education (DfE). The policy also has regard to Ofsted and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidance where appropriate.
Aim of Policy
This Policy defines and assists the operating arrangements in place within the preschool that assures compliance to the Government and leading bodies requirements with relation to the outbreak of a pandemic such as Covid19. This information builds upon our current procedures for areas such as Safeguarding, Child Protection and Equality and Diversity, however new practices may emerge as the situation continues. The policy and considerations may evolve and be built upon as the situation deepens and new precautionary measures have been introduced and practices have been reflected upon.
Method
As early years providers we ensure to offer a continuum of very high standards of practice of childcare and education. The fundamental principles to be outlined in this policy are set out to ensure reasonable social distancing are enabled and that good hygiene practices are implemented as well as avoiding coming into contact with infected children and adults or anyone displaying symptoms. It states that the protective measures put in place for children, parents and staff reduce the risk of transmission. We will continue to follow all our other policies as long as they do not conflict with this policy and be guided by the EYFS as best as we can. The main areas we will be considering are:
- Minimising contact with individuals who are unwell
- Maintaining personal and respiratory hygiene (handwashing, catch it, kill it, bin it)
- Ensuring cleanliness of the environment (especially frequently touched surfaces)
- Minimising general contact and mixing (creating small groups and placing a temporarily cap on our numbers if necessary)
- The use of Protective and Personal Equipment (PPE)
- Testing (if an outbreak within the setting)
Focus/ Areas of Consideration / Recommendations Children
Attendance
- Only children who are symptom free or have completed the required isolation period should attend the setting.
- Providers will take the temperatures of children and staff on arrival and will risk assess any children /staff who are returning after a period of isolation.
Wellbeing and education
- Children should be supported in age appropriate ways to understand the steps they can take to keep themselves safe including regular hand washing, coughing into an elbow, using a tissue and adopting a catch it, kill it, bin it regime.
- Children should be supported to understand the changes and challenges they may be encountering as a result of Covid-19 and staff need to ensure they are aware of children’s attachments and their need for emotional support at this time.
- EYFS framework will continue to be delivered through play and adult led activities.
- Parents will be asked to provide a piece of fruit which can be wash for snack time and packed lunches should be in sealed named containers. We will provide additional water and milk throughout the session. We will also ask the parents to bring in a named water bottle for their child.
Workforce
Attendance
- Staff should only attend playgroup if they are symptom free, have completed the required isolation period or achieved a negative test result.
Social distancing/grouping/safety
- Staff will risk assess before opening to address any risks from the virus and ensure appropriate safe measures are in place to control risks.
- Staff to be informed of any cases or risks that may have occurred.
- Emergency revisions to the EYFS may have been implemented which provides some flexibility on ratios and qualifications to make this feasible.
If a member of staff is caring for a child who has developed symptoms of covid 19 throughout the day they will be required to wear a face mask whilst they look after the child who is isolated from the group waiting to be collected. This is because a 2 metre distance is not able to be kept from a child displaying symptoms.
- The staff member who was caring for the unwell child should continue to wear PPE and clean the affected area with disinfectant.
- All PPE should be removed and disposed of following current government guidelines, the staff member should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds.
- The staff member who supported the unwell child does not need to go home unless they are developing symptoms themselves.
Training
- Where possible, meetings and training sessions should be conducted through virtual conferencing.
- All staff members must receive appropriate instruction and training in infection control and the standard operating procedures and risk assessments within which they will be operating.
- Online training may be available to allow their training levels to be maintained if appropriate.
Parents
Social distancing
- Only parents who are symptom free and or have completed the required isolation periods will be able to drop off or collect their child.
- We will aim to minimise the ‘pinch points’ during the day and limit drop off and pick up to one parent per family.
- When parents are waiting to drop off or collect their child, any necessary social distancing should be maintained as advised by government social distancing policies.
- Consideration will be given to allow a parent/visitors to enter the setting if necessary as deemed in the best interest of the child. i.e Settling in, distressed child, assessment requirements. The provider should consider measures to minimise contact between the parent and other children and staff members. All adults entering the setting will be required to sign in, and observe our covid-19 requirements
Communications
- Parents should receive clear communication regarding the role they play in the safe operating procedure and all measures being taken to ensure the safety of their children and themselves.
- Parents should inform preschool of their circumstances and if they plan to keep their child away, this helps preschool to conform to our safeguarding policy.
Hygiene and Health & Safety
Hand washing
- Hand sanitizer will be available for all children and staff to use regularly.
- Children and staff members should be encouraged to wash their hands frequently, this includes before and after eating food, after visiting the toilet, after sneezing, blowing their nose or coughing into their hand and dealing with unwell people.
- Bodily fluid spills should follow the correct procedures as normal.
Cleaning
- An enhanced cleaning schedule must be implemented that includes furniture, surfaces and children’s toys and equipment and all staff are responsible in their area of work.
- Communal areas, touch points and hand washing facilities must be cleaned and sanitised regularly and cleaned thoroughly at the end of every session.
- A deep clean may be needed after a child has become ill in the area they were waiting.
Waste disposal
- All waste must be disposed of in a hygienic and safe manner following government guidelines.
- Tissues etc that have been used by a child or staff member with suspected Covid 19 must be disposed of following the government guidelines.
- Tissues must be immediately disposed of and placed in a bin with a bag, lid and foot pedal.
- Bodily fluids must be double bagged and disposed of in a bin with a bag, lid and foot pedal.
- Tissue bins will be emptied regularly throughout the day.
Risk assessment
- The setting will be risk assessed before opening or going ahead to address the risks from the virus and due consideration given to any adaptations to usual practice. Sensible measures should be put in place and policies and procedures followed.
PPE
- Government guidance is that PPE is not required for general use in early years settings to protect against COVID- 19 transmission.
- PPE should continue to be worn and disposed of as normal for nappy changing, one to one care and the administration of first aid.
- If a child shows symptoms, staff should wear a face mask, visor, disposable gloves and apron if a 2-meter distance cannot be maintained at all times. PPE should be disposed of following government guidelines.
Premises Building
- Where premises have been temporarily closed during the lockdown period or where they may need to temporarily close during future lockdowns appropriate Health & Safety checks should be conducted prior to reopening including legionnaires checks.
- Keep windows open where possible to ensure good levels of ventilation. If doors are opened ensure the children safety is maintained with locked gates.
Resources
All resources required for play and learning experiences of children should be regularly washed and/or sterilized. Any resources which are difficult to clean should be removed.
- Equipment used by staff such as stationary, tablets etc. should be allocated to individual staff members where possible and cleaned regularly in between use.
Supplies Procurement & Monitoring
- The playgroup should ensure an adequate supply of essential supplies and contingency plans such as additional suppliers are in place to minimise the impact of any shortages of supplies. (Anti-bacterial sprays, Gloves, hand sanitizer, hand soap, paper towels).
- The playgroul will not be able to operate without essential supplies required for ensuring infection control.
- A monitoring system for the usage of PPE is essential to ensure that a supply of stock is available to all who require it as and when required to meet the operational needs of the setting. When stocks are low, other options may be considered, such as the use of washable tabards and facemasks. These items will be washed at a high temperature in accordance with relevant guidelines and separate to any other preschool washing.
Responding to a suspected case
- In the event of a child developing suspected coronavirus symptoms whilst attending the setting, they should be collected as soon as possible and isolate at home in line with the current NHS guidance.
- Whilst waiting for the child to be collected they should be isolated from others in a previously identified room or area. If possible, a window should be opened for ventilation.
- The staff member responsible for the child during this time should be a staff member from their group. The provider will provide suitable PPE for the staff member caring for the child such as a face mask, visor disposable gloves and apron.
- The area should be thoroughly cleaned immediately if the area cannot be left unvisited, and if the area can be left unvisited then it should be cleaned after 72 hours.
- The person responsible for cleaning ideally should be the person dealing with the unwell child and should continue to wear their PPE. This should then be disposed of according to current government guidelines.
- In the event of a staff member developing suspected coronavirus symptoms whilst working at the nursery, they should return home immediately and isolate at home in line with the NHS guidance.
Parental Agreement- Updated March 2022
- I fully understand that with all of the protective measures put in place, Busy Bees Playgroup cannot fully eliminate the risk of my child contracting COVID 19
- I fully understand that the government guidance states ‘that we cannot expect to keep young children 2 metres apart from each other and the staff’ This is being taken into great consideration and we have put protective measures in place to ensure we can minimise the risk of transmission.
- I agree that I fully understand the signs and symptoms of COVID 19 and will not bring my child to Busy Bees if they are displaying any of the symptoms. I will not give my child/children calpol before attending Busy Bees, even if it is for a non COVID 19 symptom and I will not bring my child/children in if they are unwell.
- In February 2022 the Covid guidance has changed with regard to self isolation rules but we also have the right to refuse any child into the setting who has symptoms of Covid. In line with government guidance which is to recommend that positive cases still stay home and isolate. :
If a parent or carer insists on a child attending your setting where they have a confirmed
or suspected case of COVID-19, you can take the decision to refuse the child if, in your
reasonable judgement, it is necessary to protect other children and staff from possible
infection with COVID-19.
