Dear Parents and Carers
Willow Tree Pre-School COVID-19 Protective Measure policy/assessments
23rd September 2022
For the most up to date Government Guidance please read – COVID-19 Response: Living with Covid-19 From 1 April 2022.
The Government is no longer providing free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public in England. There is some limited ongoing free testing available for: Social care staff A limited number of people who are at greater risk from COVID-19 infection. We are promoting safer behaviours that can still be used to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Precautions remain particularly important to those who are at higher risk if they catch COVID-19, although due to advances in vaccination and therapeutics, this group is now better protected.
The majority of people previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable are now advised to follow the same general guidance as everyone else as a result of the protection they have received from vaccination. Individuals can still reduce the risk of catching and passing on COVID-19. We will continue in letting in fresh air indoors as a matter of course Please stay at home if you or your child are unwell Taking a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms, (if you any LFT’s left) and staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if you test positive Continuing in washing your hands and following advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ for the Signs and Symptoms of coronavirus.
The symptoms of COVID-19 have been expanded and now include the following: a new continuous cough a high temperature (over 37.8 degrees) a loss of or change in your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) fatigue and lethargy shortness of breath headache (that is unusual or longer lasting than usual) sore throat aching muscles diarrhoea/vomiting/ nausea blocked/runny nose
From 1 April 2022, the Government has: Removed access to testing for most people, however adults and children with symptoms of a respiratory illness should stay at home and avoid contact with others until they are well and no longer have a temperature. People who do test positive (if you have access to LFT) are advised to stay at home for 5 days (adults) and 3 days (children) and avoid contact with other people. We as Early Years Practitioners will continue OUR commitment to provide advice, supporting where we can. We will continue with washing hands more often than usual – washing our hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap and drying them thoroughly using disposable paper towels or using hand sanitiser. Ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach. Continuing cleaning frequently touched surfaces more often than usual, using standard appropriate detergents. Minimising contact and mixing by altering, as much as possible, the environment and timetables (such as allowing for sufficient changeover time) To clean areas between different activities or groups of children and ensuring areas do not become overcrowded Where possible all spaces will be well ventilated using natural ventilation opening windows and doors.
Risk Assessment
We have refreshed our existing risk assessment in line with the HSE guidance, identifying protective measures and establishing who is responsible for implementing each protective measure.
Staff
All staff will be made aware of effective infection protection and the safeguarding issues that can put children at risk during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE is only needed in a very small number of cases, but is available to us. It is vital that we play our part by making our setting as safe as possible for staff, children and parents If anyone in our setting becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), they will be sent home and advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection guidance. If a child is awaiting collection indoors, they will be moved where they can isolate with appropriate adult supervision. A window will be opened for ventilation. If they need to go to the toilet while waiting to be collected, they will use a separate toilet and it will be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else. PPE will be worn by staff caring for the child while they await collection if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained (such as for a very young child or a child with complex needs). In an emergency we will call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. We will not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital. If a member of staff has helped someone with symptoms, they will not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. They will wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell and clean the affected area of the setting with normal household disinfectant after someone with symptoms has left which will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
What happens if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in a setting?
If/when a child, young person or staff member develops symptoms compatible with coronavirus (COVID-19), they will be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 3/5 days.
Communicating with parents
We have been asked by the Government to consider the following steps use technology to communicate with parents and carers digitally where possible. Tell parents, carers or any visitors, such as suppliers, not to enter the setting if they are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus reduce contact between parents and carers when dropping off and picking up your children, for example by limiting drop off and pick up to one parent or carer per family and staggering timings. We recognise the important role our pre-school plays in providing enriching activities, giving children the opportunity to socialise with others outside their household and promoting their well-being. This has been a challenging time for us all and we have followed the Government guidance in putting in place the protective measures to provide a safe and fun place for your child to attend. The Government guidance will be checked regularly.
-Willow Tree Trustees and Staff.