Hempsted Playgroup and Toddlers
Hempsted Playgroup and Toddlers
General Contingency/Outbreak Plan and Control measures
Prioritising education
The overarching objective is to maximise the number of children and young people in face-to face education or childcare and minimise any disruption, in a way that best manages the COVID-19 risk.
In all circumstances, and in all settings, priority should continue to be given to vulnerable children and young people and children of critical workers to attend full time.
Updated Information- January 2022
11/01/2022
From 11 January in England, people who receive positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be required to self-isolate immediately and won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high across the UK. Whilst levels of COVID-19 are high, the vast majority of people with positive LFD results can be confident that they have COVID-19.
07/01/2022
From 4am on 7 January you do not need to take a PCR test before you travel to England or self-isolate when you arrive. Take a rapid lateral flow test on or before day 2 after you arrive and if it’s positive you must take a PCR test.
22/12/2021
If you’ve tested positive or have symptoms, you can stop self-isolating after 7 days instead of 10 days if you get 2 negative lateral flow test results on day 6 and 7.
Tracing close contacts and self-isolation
Close contacts in early years settings are now being identified by NHS Test and Trace and education and childcare settings are not expected to undertake contact tracing.
All individuals who who have been identified as a close contact of a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, irrespective of vaccination status and age, will be contacted directed and required to self-isolate immediately and will be asked to book a PCR test. (Actions for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic November 2021)
General contingency and Control Measures
Since the start of the pandemic, we have adapted how we operate as a setting to ensure we continue to offer a safe and secure environment for our children, staff, parents, professionals and visitors that have needed to come in to our setting.
The following procedures will be kept in place:
-
Increased cleaning processes remain in place. The setting will be cleaned throughout the day, ensuring areas that are used regularly will be safe to do so.
-
Staff members carry out regular Lateral Flow Device testing (due for review by PH, DfE in September 2021
-
Ventilation is a key part of infection control, doors and windows remain open and outdoor play is encouraged. Allowing a flow of fresh air throughout the setting will
-
Ensure good hygiene for everyone.
-
Maintain appropriate cleaning regimes, using standard products such as detergents.
-
Keep occupied spaces well ventilated.
-
Follow public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19. (Gov.uk)
Hand-washing
Frequent hand washing is inclusive of our regular day to day routine.
We will continue to ensure that children, staff and anyone who is entering our setting will wash their hands regularly, with soap and water or by using a hand sanitiser.
Respiratory hygiene
Talking about ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’. Using tissues to ‘catch it’, putting the dirty tissue into the bin and ensuring hands are washed afterwards.
PPE will only be used where necessary.
Cleaning
This will continue to take place throughout the session, paying particular emphasis on frequently touched surfaces.
The setting will be cleaned at the end of day as well.
Ventilation
The setting will be kept ventilated (open windows and doors) to allow fresh air to flow through but we will maintain the balance of it to ensure the temperature is comfortable.
Uk Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice. ( Changed name for Public Health England PHE)
We will follow the advice of Public Health with regards to:
Individuals developing COVID-19 symptoms or testing positive.
When to self-isolate and what to do.
If anyone in our setting shows signs of COVID-19, they will be sent home and we will follow the public health advice.
PPE will be used if necessary.
Face Coverings
May be advised to be worn temporarily.
Shielding
In the event of another outbreak, shielding could be reintroduced.
Possibility of limiting parents in the setting for visits/plays and meetings.
Outbreak Plan
When the playgroup infection cases of children or staff members reach 5 cases or 10% over a 10-day period this may be referred to as a COVID-19 outbreak. Hempsted Playgroup will take further advice from UKHSA.
Actions may be:
-
A more intense deep clean
-
Partial closure of areas in the nursery
-
Isolation of identified children or staff members
Actions following high levels of risk and infection
Attendance restrictions will only be used as a last resort. Our requests would be presented in the following order:
-
If you are able to keep your child home, please do so.
-
Only vulnerable children and those whose parents are critical workers may attend.
Measures to prevent the spread of infection.
Ensuring every child would still receive learning and support from the setting, using emails and other media.
Communication to parents/carers with regards to changes that would need to be made, via email or telephone calls.
All settings should seek UKHSA advice if a pupil, student, child or staff member is admitted to hospital with COVID-19. They can do this by phoning the DfE helpline (0800 046 8687, option 1), or in line with other local arrangements. Hospitalisation could indicate increased severity of illness or a new variant of concern. Settings may be offered public health support in managing risk assessments and communicating with staff and parents (Contingency Framework August 2021)
September 2021 (Updated January 2022)