Covid-19

In line with current Government guidance, all children are encouraged to attend
We aim to keep siblings in the same group to minimise the risk of more than one group becoming isolated
Only children who are symptom free or have completed the required isolation period can attend the setting
Children MUST NOT attend if they are unwell (temperature, cough) or have been given Calpol (excludes runny nose, sneezing or sore throat)
Children MUST NOT attend if anyone in their household has coronavirus symptoms
Parents will be notified of action to take if a child shows symptoms of COVID-19

Children will be organised into groups
Toilet areas shall be cleaned four times per day in accordance with the cleaning schedule
As far as possible, we shall remind children not to hug, hold hands, share cups
Only adults who are symptom free and have completed the required isolation periods will be able to drop off or collect their child
Only one adult per child is to drop off/collect their child from pre-school premises
Clear drop-off / collection spacing according to current social distancing guidance (2m)
We stagger collection times at St Denys

Wherever possible, parents and carers shall travel to the pre-school alone
If public transport is necessary, current guidance on the use of public transport shall be followed
Follow current social distancing guidance (2m clearance) when travelling on foot, by bike or using public transport
Travel accessories, including buggies, car seats, bikes and scooters CANNOT be left at the setting
Outings from the setting into the community shall be restricted and will only take place if there is no risk of mixing with the general public

Hand washing facilities with soap, hot water and paper towels are in place
Stringent hand washing procedures are in place https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
We ensure that all adults and children:
- frequently wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry thoroughly
- clean their hands on arrival at the setting, before and after eating, and after sneezing or coughing
- are encouraged not to touch their mouth, eyes and nose
- use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use bins for tissue waste (‘catch it, bin it, kill it’)

As per Government current guidance, PPE is not required for general use in the setting to protect against COVID-!9 transmission
Face shields shall be available to staff who choose to wear them for general use whilst working with children in the setting
Staff shall wear face masks in communal areas
In line with the Intimate Care policy PPE shall continue to be worn as normal for nappy changing
In line with existing policy, appropriate PPE shall be worn for the administration of first aid
Parents and carers shall wear face masks at drop off and collection

High temperature – feeling hot to touch on chest and back
A new, continuous cough – coughing a lot for more than one hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours. If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than normal
Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

In the event of a child developing suspected coronavirus symptoms while attending the setting, they should be collected as soon as possible and isolate at home in line with current NHS guidance (self-isolate from day symptoms started + next 10 full days).
ALL fellow household members should self-isolate for 10 days
Households to follow latest Government guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Whilst waiting to be collected, the child shall 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 shall be a staff member from their group
The staff member will NOT need to go home unless they develop symptoms

We operate a workplace lateral flow rapid testing programme. Staff complete asymptomatic rapid lateral flow tests twice weekly at home, the results of which are reported and logged in accordance with Department for Health and Social Care guidance
Parents and carers of early years children can access symptom-free rapid lateral flow tests, which, when taken twice-weekly, three to five days apart, can contribute to the reduction of the transmission of COVID-19
Testing kits can be collected from various locations around Southampton – please follow these links for more information on obtaining and completing the test:

Do not visit any of the testing sites to collect kits if you develop coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating. If you have COVID-19 symptoms you must not use the symptom-free testing and should book a symptomatic test in the usual way.