Changes to the guidance
Early Years and Childcare providers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19)outbreak. Published 24th March 2020. Updated 27th July 2020. DfE www.gov.uk
From 20th July early years settings are no longer required to keep children in small consistent groups within settings but can return to normal size group sizes. Settings should still consider how they can minimise mixing within settings.
Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social settings including the use of personal protective equipment. (PPE) updated 21st July 2020.
The use of soft toys and toys with intricate parts or that are otherwise hard to clean should be avoided.
Risk assessments around Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Date of Assessment-6th August 2020.
Setting-Galmpton Pre-School.
2.Responsibilities.
In light of the removal of bubbles from 20th July early years settings and local authorities should continue to keep risk assessments for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) our-to-date.
All other protective measures must remain in place.
Wash hands thoroughly.
Ensure good hygiene -Catch it bin it kill it.
Enhanced cleaning
Social distance - later the layout of your setting.
Engage with NHS test and trace process
PPE only needed where there is a suspected case. Gloves apron and fluid resistant surgical face mask.
What care should be taken in Early Years settings?
Settings should manage risks by keeping children in small groups and trying, as far as possible to keep the same children and staff members together from day to day.
Settings should consider staggering meal times and should discourage parents from gathering at setting entrances. As far as possible parents and carers should not enter Early Years premises.
Isolation Period
There are changes to the isolation period for those who have Coronavirus symptoms from 7 days to 10 days.
Health and Safety Risk Assessment.
Risk assessments around COVID 19.
Date of assessment -19th May 2020 and adapted 25th May 2020.
Setting-Galmpton Pre-school.
The return to school risk assessment is based on the principles with the DfE guidance Coronavirus (COVID 19) implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings (12th May 2020)
DfE guidance planning guide for Early years and childcare settings. (24th May 2020)
How will we mitigate the risk to make the Pre-school as safe as possible?
No Pre-school can guarantee total safety against COVID 19 particularly as socially distancing is virtually impossible with very young children, however by following government guidelines around health and anti-infection procedures, we can be made safer and more secure to reduce risk to a level that we believe is acceptable for children, families and staff.
The offer of sessions provided.
Galmpton Pre-school will open for the 2nd June 2020 as long as the government 5 targets are met and the science says it’s safe to do so.
We will do their best to offer sessions to children where possible. Numbers will be reduced in line with government guidelines for schools and educational settings.
We are currently working with the premise of no shared care between other settings, so that children aren’t mixing in different groups.
We have looked at our SEN and vulnerable children and how we can meet some of their needs providing some provision but not the full offer.
All staff on site will be Paediatric First Aid trained. There will also be a named Deputy on site ‘Tracey Davies’ as well as Designated Lead ‘Jane Podschies.’
Schools and employers are required to assess the risks associated with Covid 19 and implement preventative measures outlined in Government guidance, The risk assessment will supplement any existing risk assessments in educational settings.
The return to school Risk Assessment is based on the principles and guidance contained within the DfE Guidance : Coronavirus (COVID 19) implementing measures in education and child care settings (12th May 2020)
Changes to the building 2
We have looked at the building and general risk and ensured control measures remain in place. We have included the risks to include hand washing, and one way systems, as well as shared bathrooms. Each bubble of children will use one specific bathroom every time they need to.
We will be splitting the outside space into two areas each bubble of children will be able to access each half of the playground with a range of activities and the equipment will be shared out between each group.
First Aid 6
Every member of staff on site will be Paediatric first aid trained.
We will communicate First Aid arrangements during daily briefings.
Stopping transmitting of coronavirus is the highest priority in our setting and staff are aware of the signs.
The way that we will handle coronavirus in the setting is explained below.
Fire Procedures 3
We have looked at our fire procedures and have decided to move our evacuation point to Galmpton Village Pub carpark as we can’t use the Primary school and to ensure that Social Distancing guidelines are being met. As part of monitoring our regimes will be checking alarms and extinguishers on June 1st.
When we are open we will prop open the doors where necessary to reduce hand contact and aid ventilation.
Water Hygiene 4
We have looked at water management. Our setting has been closed for the last 10 weeks so we will be flushing and disinfecting the area prior to occupation as per government publications.
Http:/www.gov.uk/government publications/managing -school-premesis-during-the -coronavirus-outbreak/managing-school-premesis-which-are-partially-open-during-the-Coronavirus-outbreak.
Http:/cieh.org/media/4208/legionella-guidance-covid19.pdf
Management of waste 8
We will ensure that bins are emptied throughout the day.
We will follow the guidance on disposal of waste
Http/:www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe#how-should-PPE-and-face-coverings-be-disposed-of.
Hand washing practice with children. 1
Hand washing practice with children- We have reviewed the guidance on hand cleaning and hand washing. We will help children by having an adult available at all times to support hand washing and hygiene. See guidance
http://e-bug.eu/eng_home.aspx?
Toilets being overcrowded 1
Toilets will be selected for each specific bubble of children and will not be overcrowded.
Children with EHCP 1,2
A risk assessment will be completed by SENCO in relation to children who have addiction needs.
Regarding pupils unable to follow the guidance we have ensured that the individual children have 1:1 support. Some children will need additional support to follow the new measures opportunities will be given for these children.
The risk to Children is low to medium. 1
It is virtually impossible for children to social distance so to mitigate against this we have planned a number of contingencies.
Children will be kept in ‘bubbles’ (small groups) and will stay where possible with the same group of children and the same adult each session.
Children will sit 4 to a table with two metres in between them for lunch and other activities. Carpets will be replaced with rubber spots and children will sit on them for circle time and story time two metres apart. These can be wiped down after use.
Government guidelines for schools and educational settings recommend the use of the outdoor environment to create a safer space for children to access activities as much as possible. So we will be using outside splitting the playground into two for ‘bubbles of children’ to access the physical environment.
Children will be required to wash their hands upon entering the Pre-school and before leaving. We will ensure direct adult supervision and that children wash their hands for twenty seconds. They will be supported to wash their hands using liquid hand soap regularly throughout the day.
If a child falls and injuries themselves then staff will wear PPE to clean up the child’s injuries.
Following the government guidelines if a child has any symptoms of illness including cough, cold, and a temperature, and diarrhoea then the child must stay at home.
If a child is taken ill in the setting any waste used (objects which are visibly contaminated including tissues and cloths) will be double bagged and stored for 72 hours and then thrown away.
Children who have symptoms of the virus at Pre-school and are awaiting collection will be moved to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door with appropriate adult supervision. A window will be opened for ventilation.
Staggered drop off and pick ups will be used to reduce the number of people accessing the playground. Parents will be given a slot when the can drop their child off, and collect them. We are encouraging only one parent to drop off or collect to reduce the number of people gathering around the gate.
The risk to staff is low to medium. 1
We will be running a low ratio of staff.
Staff will be washing their hands thoroughly throughout the day.
Staff will keep gloves in their pockets at all times to keep safe and be ready to deal with any spillages or contaminated fluids.
Staff will be social distancing from children where possible and from each other.
Long hair will be tied up and PPE will be worn when necessary. For example when nappy changing and dealing with injuries, or a sick child.
No more than two members of staff will be allowed in the kitchen at one time.
Staff will be giving short breaks to have lunch and take a comfort break.
Staff will remove their uniforms at home and wash them each night before returning to work the next day.
Staff will be required to clean equipment and toys that the children have used. Dettol sprays and wipes as well as bleach will be used. These will be kept locked in the kitchen cupboards.
Staff will clean sinks and toilets after each child has used them and will supervise children in the toilet one at a time.
Staff on site will all be First Aid trained.
Anxiety levels of staff causing breakdown in staffing ratios, comprising group sizes. 2
Talk to staff where possible the plans (for example safety measures, timetable changes and staggered arrivals and departure times) including discussing whether training would be helpful.
Staff will be supported if they are feeling in any way anxious about returning to work and will be offered the opportunity to talk through anything that is worrying them.
Testing arrangements are clear for all staff 1
Access to testing is already available to all essential key workers
http://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test.
Staff who are vulnerable/shielding family member with underlying health conditions. 1
Guidance on shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable persons http//:www.gove.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19 and clinically vulnerable people.
Staff will be protect themselves by reduced contact with children (2metres) particularly children who are unable to socially distance.
The risk of use of equipment and resources is low to medium. 1
This will be managed by the following :
Children will be given their own tray with pens and glue and other resources to be used individually by them to mitigate against cross infection as children put them in their mouths.
There will be no malleable play sand, water, play doh, clay, paint, to reduce the risk of cross contamination.
Tables and chairs will be cleaned regularly.
Soft furnishings will be removed including cushions, sofas, soft toys, and dressing up.
Children will not be required to bring show and tell or things from home. They can bring their own lunch box as it contains their own food, which will not be shared by others.
Entrance to the school gate and building. 1
[if gte mso 9]> <![endif] We will be doing staggered drop off and pick up times to avoid large groups of people gathering around the gate or playground, so not to compromise social distancing. We will make clear to parents they must stick to their times, and telephone if they cannot meet them and an alternative time will be arranged. Children will be handed over at the door without the parents entering the building. We have suggested where possible only one parent drops off and picks up and no other other family members attend.
Risk score and description
Action plan for opening Pre-school.
Our plans are based on the DfE Government guidelines ‘Planning guide for Early years and childcare settings.’ Published 24th May 2020
Our plan is to open our setting three full days Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 8-3.30.
The numbers of children has been reduced in line with government requirements. We will have 11 children staggered over three days.
Staff are reduced to four members of staff. The rest being furloughed.
Children will be doing staggered start times and drop off times giving each parent and child time to chat at the door and pass on relevant information.
Before return to Pre-school.
Risk assessments have been carried out and an action plan put in place.
Staff have been reading the guidance set out by the government on COVID 19
Cleaning products and PPE have been collated.
Routine
Children will come in and wash their hands on arrival. Children will be offered breakfast if they want it. The maximum number of children who may require breakfast is three.
Once all children have arrived we will have a circle time where children will sit on coloured rubber spots two metres apart. We will take the attendance register and have a story together. (9.30) The coloured spots will be wiped down with antibacterial spray after use.
The children will then be split into two groups and will access their daily activities. One member of staff will take each group for supervision. Where possible the same adult will remain with the same group of children each day. We may use the outdoor space to play weather permitting.
We will be providing a mid morning snack and drink where children sit at the table two metres apart. Using two tables pushed together children will be sat four to a table spaced out. They will have their name on their own space to reduce any transmission of disease or germs. (10.45)
After snack time we will have outside play and split the children into two groups. The playground will be split in half creating two areas for investigation and exploration. (11)
We will then have singing time (11.45)
Then we will be washing hands for lunch. We will be encouraging children to sing the wash your dirty hands song which supports them to wash their hands for at least twenty seconds.
After lunch we will be playing outside until registration time at (1.15)Then we will sit back on our rubber mats and share a story.
The children will then be split into two groups again and play with the toys and activities. (1.30-2.30) and start to pack away near to pick up time.
The children will then watch a DVD while waiting to be collected. (Between 2.45-3.15)
Our vulnerable children will be provided for by regular sessions and direct observations. Our children of critical key workers who require provision will also be provided for. Our SEN child will be given one to one support to access his activities. We will be offering reduced provision to support his needs while protecting staff and other children in the setting.
We currently use the term ‘reasonable endeavours’ regarding the learning and development and welfare requirements and the number of staff present in the setting. However ‘Best endeavours’ is a higher level requirement used to ensure Paediatric First Aid measures and will now take priority over areas of EYFS framework during this pandemic.
What will children learn and how to adapt the EYFS?
We will help children in our care to adapt to their new routines and help them settle back into Pre-school. We will support children in an age appropriate way in how to keep themselves safe including hand washing and disposing of tissues through songs and repetition. We will help them understand words like ‘germs’ and ‘virus’ and how they can keep themselves healthy.
Our focus will be on Early language skills, and children developing language opportunities.
We will also be providing exercise for all particularly those children who have had limited opportunities to exercise during lockdown.
For those children who aren’t returning to Preschool we will be providing online stories and songs as well as suggesting parents access ‘Hungry Little Minds’ campaign and ‘BBC’s Tiny Happy People’ to support home learning.
Assessor and manager declarations
I confirm that this assessment has been completed using all available materials, publications or guidance documentation available, and is an accurate reflection of the activity or equipment being assessed.
Name of assessor- Claire Greaves Manager
Name of others involved with assessment- Tracey Davies and Jane Podschies.