Covid-19
Re-opening of Berrington Lodge Nursery and Covid-19 update
Firstly we would like to thank each and every one of you for being so patient and understanding during these difficult times. We hope that you are well and have been keeping safe. As a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the transmission rate of coronavirus has decreased and following the Government’s announcement, from the 1st June we are reopening Berrington Lodge Nursery and will be welcoming all our children back with open arms.
The director and management team of the nursery would like to reassure you that rigorous safety measures have been put into place following the Department of Education guidelines to ensure that all children, parents/carers and staff are kept safe.
- 1. Parents and carers will drop and pick up their child/children at the main front door.
- 2. Parents or visitors will not be allowed into the nursery building during nursery times.
- 3. Deep cleans will be carried out throughout the day and in the evening before closing, ready for the next morning.
- 4. Staggering return back to nursery where classes will be kept very small and will be spilt using the extra free spaces within the nursery.
- 5. Children are no longer allowed to bring in any toys or other items from home, only spare clothing and their bag. The nursery will not be sending art work, home work sheets or other items home with the children.
- 6. Children will be encouraged to stay 2 meters apart and classroom will be set out so that equipment is also 2 meters apart.
- 7. Hand sanitizers will be placed in all classrooms and hand washing throughout the day for all.
- 8. Doors and windows to be propped open to ensure the rooms are ventilated.
- 9. All children will access the outdoors more often than previously.
- 10. Risk assessments have been carried out and will be monitored regularly as well as revised polices in place.
Any concerns or questions please feel free to call the nursery.
Showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19
Could we please kindly ask all parents and carers to not send their child to nursery if they have coughs, colds or high temperature. Children should stay off nursery for 14 days from when these symptoms started, as we are trying to take the best precaution possible. Also if anyone in the family house hold show any coronavirus symptoms then the whole family will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
If you have been in contact with anyone that has tested positive for the coronavirus please can you let the nursery know immediately. If you or your child/children are returning from abroad in the last 14 days then please remain at home for 14 days.
If you think you might have coronavirus, you can use the 111 online coronavirus service for support and guidance on what to do.
If your child is at nursery and starts to showing signs and symptoms of the virus then parents/carers will be asked to immediately come to collect your child. We kindly ask that all parents/ carers keep their phones to hand just in case the nursery needs to get in contact with you. We would need a rapid response from all parents and carer please.
If parents and carer are using public transport to get to nursery, can we kindly ask that you wear PPE to minimise the risk of the virus entering the nursery.
During this time we will ensure that the nursery is doing everything possible to make sure that everyone is kept safe. The new changes to the nursery after following the Department of Education guidance we hope to ensure that the virus is kept out of the nursery.
We understand that the children have had a long period of time off from nursery and it may take them some time getting use to nursery life again and the new ways in which we are carrying out our practice.
We will be focusing on the children’s mental health when they return back to nursery and support them through these difficult times. We will have open conversation with the children and explain to them why things have changed in the world and at nursery. We want to do our best to reassure the children that everything is ok and show them what we can do to keep safe in our day to day lives.
When we return back to nursery on Monday 1st June 2020, the nursery operating times will be from 9.00 am until 3.30 pm from Monday to Friday to begin with, AM half day session will be from 9.00am until 12.00pm and PM sessions from 12.30 pm until 3.30 pm. The nursery will be staggering children’s return back throughout the week. Can we ask that all parents/carers be patient with the nursery, as there may be lots of changes happening day by day or week by week as the virus is new to us all and we will have to ensure that we are keeping in line with the Department of Health and Education in keeping everyone safe.
Could we please ask parents/carers to talk to your child/children regarding the new way that they will be dropped off and picked up from nursery. We know that some parents would come into the classrooms, talk to the staff and have a little play with their child/children before leaving. However this is not possible now due to COVID-19, so could you please have a chat to reassure them that things maybe different but everything is ok and staff will be there to help and support them back to nursery life.
Can we also ask for parents to fill out and sign the parental declaration form before attending nursery and also the sun cream consent form.
We look forward to seeing you all.
Kindest Regards,
Nicki-Director
Pav- Manager
Tracey- Deputy Manger
