COVID-19 Safeguarding Procedures.
Please find below general information and safety measures we will be putting into practice to help protect children, parents and staff at Mountford House.
Signs of Covid-19
The main symptoms include the following: Runny nose, increased temperature, persistent cough, respiratory problems, muscle pain and headaches.
How Covid-19 is transmitted
Covid-19 is transmitted via the tiny droplets that we emit when we sneeze, cough or speak. Other people can then become infected if they breathe these in. It is also transmitted via surfaces therefore if an infected person sneezes or coughs into their hands and then touches a surface and another person then touches that surface then touches their eyes, nose or mouth they can become infected.
Safety measures - Children
Attendance
· Only children who are symptom free or have completed the required isolation period of three days will be allowed to attend the nursery.
· Parents of children who display symptoms whilst at the setting will be contacted.
· In the case of a confirmed case of coronavirus at the setting, we will follow current government guidelines.
Physical distancing/grouping
· Children will no longer be placed in ‘bubbles’. They will remain in their key groups within the rooms throughout the setting. They will be with their key person and support member of staff.
· Care routines including meals, nappy changing, hand washing, toileting etc will be carried out within their group as usual.
· At Mountford House our spacious outdoor area allows for each age group to access their own space and we will continue with our good practice of spending a good deal of time outdoors on a daily basis.
· Internal toys and equipment will be washed regularly and our spacious rooms allow for distanced play whilst inside.
· Cots and beds will be distanced.
Wellbeing and education
· Children will be supported in age appropriate ways to understand the steps they can take to keep themselves safe including regular hand washing, sneezing into a tissue etc
Safety measures - Staff
· Staff will be encouraged to obtain vaccinations
Staff will clean and wipe down surfaces after use in the staff room
Safety measures - Parents
· Parents will not currently be permitted to enter the nursery when dropping off or collecting children. A familiar staff member will come and greet parents and take the child into the setting. Your child’s well-being is our main priority and we will call any parent to reassure if their child was unsettled upon arrival.
· Different entrances to the nursery will be allocated for different groups.
· General Hygiene and Health and Safety measures
Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19
· Children and staff will be required to wash their hands on a regular basis. This will be for 20 seconds using soap and water, then dried thoroughly using paper towels
· Older children will be encouraged to use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use bins for tissue waste. Children will be encouraged to learn these new habits through games, songs and repetition.
Hand sanitisers are provided at the entrances to the nursery for the use of all visitors.
· Bins for tissues will be regularly emptied throughout the day.
Hand sanitisers are provided at all entrances to the nursery
· All spaces will be well ventilated using natural ventilation (open windows, safely prop open doors etc) and outdoor play will be offered whenever possible.
· Soft furnishings and soft toys will be washed regularly and easily wipeable toys will be used which will be cleaned regularly throughout the day.
· All items that require laundering at the nursery will be washed at high temperatures on a daily basis.
· Door handles and high contact points will be cleaned on a regular basis. The fingerprint entry system will be covered and out of use.
· Government guidance is that PPE is not required for general use in early years settings to protect against COVID-19 transmission. PPE will to be worn as normal for nappy changing, handling food and the administration of first aid.