Covid-19

As the government lifted most restrictions on 16th August 2021 Education settings (schools, nurseries and childminders included) have been required to set out how we will manage our settings going forward.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

I will be keeping the doorstep drop off and collection policy. This has proven very helpful in both settling on arrival and handing the children back on departure.

I intend to attend local activities, parks, shops and soft play as government guidelines allow. This will of course change if there is a local outbreak or my risk assessment, the local authority or central government advice/ guidelines changes. My own risk assessments will be under constant review.

TESTING IN MY HOUSEHOLD

All of our family living at this address test twice weekly in order to attend school, college or work. this will be carried out on Sundays and Wednesdays.

POSITIVE CASES IN YOUR CHILDS HOME

Although the guidelines currently advise that children under the age of 18 do not need to isolate if a close contact, I will not accept any children into the setting if there is a positive case within their home - ie a parent or sibling, without a LFT being taken daily.

POSITIVE CASE OF A CHILD ATTENDING THE SETTING

In the event that a member of my childminding family displays symptoms or has a positive LFT, I will inform you and advice once a PCR test has been taken. If the PCR test result is positive I will inform all parents and ask that each other child in the setting has a PCR test. Although this is unpleasant and inconvenient, it is again to safeguard the other children and families. I will also need to inform the LA, Ofsted and Test and Trace and follow their guidance. I will be able to remain open unless advised otherwise by Public Health England or the Department for Education.

POSITIVE CASE IN THE SETTING (ONE OF MY FAMILY)

IF someone in my household tests positive, I can still provide childcare from an alternative premises or from an annex where there I a separate entrance from the main property, doesn’t have access to the main house (although there is interconnecting doors these are not used during working hours and the children will not come into contact with the person who has tested positive. I will LFT daily (if I do not have symptoms), but the choice to continue to send your child is up to you.

IF YOUR CHILD DISPLAYS SYMPTOMS DURING THE DAY

During the working day if any minded child displays any symptoms of COVID19, I will phone for them to be collected as soon as possible for a PCR test (not a LFT) or 10 days isolation. If they test negative and once proof of this is sent by email (confirmation of negative test from the NHS) they may return once well enough to participate fully but at least 48 hours after a temperature. Failure to provide proof of a COVID19 result will mean I will not care for your child for 10 days after their test, whether it be positive or not.

Symptoms of COVID19 can include (of which all will require a PCR test):

- High temperature

- New continuous cough

- Loss of taste or smell

- Diarrhoea

- Blocked or runny nose

- Aching muscles

- Vomiting

- Long lasting headache

- Sore throat

- Feeling run down, tired and unwell