Policies

This policy applies to all employees, parents, children, volunteers, students, and anyone else working on behalf of the nursery. This policy also applies to any visitors coming to Immingham Day Nursery.

The purpose of this policy is to;

• Protect all employees and service users (Parents and children) from coming into contact with Covid-19
• To maintain the minimal level of staff to continue to provide the welfare needs of the children in our care
• To prevent the spread of Covid-19

Immingham Day Nursery continues to be open to all children. The UK government has decided that, after Monday 19^th July 2021, the restrictions surrounding Covid-19 are being lifted. Having said this, Immingham Day Nursery think it is safer to keep some restrictions in place, due to the rising Covid-19 cases in North East Lincolnshire.

This policy is to aim to ensure the safety of all our children and staff and their families. The following measures have been put in place to try and minimise the risk of Covid-19 spreading in nursery.

Drop off & Pick up

• No parents/carers or visitors are to enter the building at any time. All children will be dropped off and collected from outside the office by a member of staff and only one parent/carer will be let through the gate at one time, maintaining a 2meter social distance at all times. Other parents/carers will be asked to wait outside the gate with their children. Only parents who are symptom free or have completed the required isolation period will be able to pick up or drop off their child.
• Anyone that parents give permission to may now collect and drop off children to Immingham Day Nursery, as long as it adheres to our safeguarding policy.
• No children that are showing symptoms will be permitted to enter the building, and those who start showing symptoms while at nursery will be sent home and asked to isolate for 10 days. Staff will ask parents/carers if anyone in their household has developed symptoms, if the answer is yes, the child will be refused entry into nursery and asked to isolate for 10 days.
• Children will be taken to wash their hands as soon as is possible when they enter the building along with an adult for 20 seconds using the provided timer. Children and adults are encouraged to wash their hands every 30 minutes using soap and water.
• Children’s toys (toys, teddies, blankets or similar) will not be permitted in the building and parents will be asked to take them home. Parents are asked to put pushchairs into our shed and retrieve them themselves. If a child will not attend nursery unless they bring a comforter from home, a member of staff will encourage children to leave it in the lobby to ensure it doesn’t come into contact with anything in the pre-school room.
• Parents and Carers are asked to wear a face covering, along with staff members, when their child cannot walk to the staff member from the parent/carer.

Class sizes

• Children in different age groups will no longer be kept apart as much as possible and will be able to mix with each other when requested. The under 2s will be upstairs when required.
• Children will be able to use the self-registration method using the white board and use the pegs in the communal area for their bags, coats will be put onto the coat hangers in the dining room for outside use.
• Outdoor areas will be used by all age groups at the same time, if required.
• Resources are no longer to be minimised and dressing up clothes, soft furnishings, all toys, and messy play can be returned to the rooms.
• Each room will have a ‘washing up box’ and children will be encouraged to put toys in the box when they have finished playing with them, the staff member will then regularly disinfect these toys.
• Close proximity will be returned, such as the den in the preschool room, as long as there is appropriate ventilation.
• Children will be supervised at all times when in the bathroom and staff will demonstrate how to wash hands for 20 seconds. The bathroom will also be disinfected regularly, including taps, toilet seats and flush handles.
• Staff and Children MUST wash their hands before and after eating or any food prep

Staff

• At the earliest convenience, staff will complete a return to work health form, which includes a health questionnaire. Staff will only be permitted into work if they, or none of their household has symptoms of Covid-19, they have completed the recommended self-isolation period or they have received a negative test result. If staff start to show symptoms of Covid-19, they will be sent home immediately to start the self-isolation period and/or obtain a test. Staff will also be asked to sign a ‘Covid-19 Staff agreement form’, whereby they will agree to certain new guidelines.
• All staff are encouraged to avoid public transport where possible and to abide by social distancing measures when outside nursery.
• Staff no longer have to leave their uniform at work and this can be taken home to be washed. Staff must wash their uniform regularly, especially if any bodily fluids has spread onto the uniform. Stationary may also be shared, as long as hand sanitizer/ hand washing is regularly demonstrated.
• Staff are to wash their hands on arrival to nursery and every 30 minutes for 20 seconds using soap and water.
• PPE is available for staff to wear, should they wish to.
• Most staff members have completed a ‘Prevent Covid-19’ training course online.
• Staff members will be informed of the standard operation procedures and risk assessments which they will now be operating, including receiving their own copy of the policy, risk assessment and expected procedures.
• Visitors are welcomed back into the building and do not have to wear a face mask or any other PPE, along with staff, unless it is requested by either party.
• Face coverings will not be worn by staff or children. Regular PPE will be continued to be used, unless a child starts to show symptoms.
• Enhanced hygiene measures will be implemented at all times, with surfaces, toys, and frequently touched areas being disinfected regularly and children’s toys and chairs being disinfected at the end of every session. Dressing up clothes, blankets, bedding, soft toys etc will be washed regularly on a 60 degree wash.
• All staff have the opportunity to use Lateral Flow Tests at home, twice weekly. These are not compulsory and staff have the right to opt in or out to this scheme, they also have the right to change their mind at any time. All names, date of birth and test results will be kept confidential in line with the current GDPR rules. There will be one administrator of the tests (Jodie Hitchens) who will be in charge of distributing the tests and recording them on the register, Jodie Hitchens will also be in charge of recording the test results. All staff will report every test result to the gov.uk website and will be advised on what action to take next. Any staff that tests positive will immediately start the isolation period and order a PCR test. If the PCR test comes back positive, close contacts will then be contacted and advised to self-isolate.

If a child becomes unwell with Covid-19 symptoms while at nursery

• If a child starts showing symptoms (continuous cough, high temperature – 37.5 degrees or above) they must be collected at the earliest convenience to go home and start the isolation period, as per the government guidelines.
• If a child showing symptoms is awaiting collection, they should be isolated behind a closed door (in the office) with appropriate ventilation (open window) and supervised from at least 2 meters away. If the staff member feels like the child’s life is in danger or the child’s symptoms become worse, a senior member of staff will call 999 and ask for an ambulance and immediately call the child’s parents/carers. If needed, the staff member will accompany the child to hospital, with the child’s registration form.
• If the child needs the bathroom while waiting to be collected, there should be no one else in the bathroom while they use the bathroom. The bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected by using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.
• When the child is collected, the office is completely decontaminated. When that is completed, the staff member who has supervised the child changes out of their uniform and washes their hands immediately for 20 seconds. That staff member is not required to go home unless they start to show symptoms themselves.
• If clinical advice is needed, the setting staff or parent/ carer should go online to NHS111 or call 111 if they don’t have any internet access.

Covid-19 Outbreak Management

If a number of children test positive, age groups will be kept apart and the use of ‘bubbles’ will return. Ofsted and the local authority will be contacted regarding any positive cases. If there is an outbreak and children and/or staff need to isolate, parents/carers will be informed by a member of staff as to whether their children will need to self isolate or whether the nursery needs to close.

In addition to this, if staff members need to isolate from being a close contact or a positive case, they will isolate immediately for the correct amount of time. The nursery will continue to operate as long as it is legal and safe to do so, but if needed, the nursery will have to close in order for staff members to self isolate.

The original and updated risk assessments regarding Covid-19 will be followed at all times.

The wellbeing of our staff and children is paramount, and while we do everything we can to ensure the nursery is as safe as possible, it is important that children should be supported in developmentally appropriate ways to understand the steps they can take to keep themselves, including regular handwashing and covering when they cough and sneeze. The use of props will aid this (i.e. books and timers at sinks). Children will also be supported to understand the changes and challenges they may have encountered as a result of Covid-19. Staff need to be aware of children’s attachments and offer emotional support during this time.

All parents and staff will be given a copy of the risk assessment and procedures as well as this policy. This policy will be reviewed when needed and if there is any updates from the government.

To promote a healthy environment we encourage you to openly inform us if your child is under the weather and not been themselves. If you feel your child is too poorly to be at nursery then please keep them at home.

It only takes one child to be ill to add undue pressure to the staff. The following procedure will be followed.

Procedure

• It can be very difficult to care for a large number of children as well as a sick child.
• If a child is sick then the welfare of that child in mind and the remaining children in the nursery parent/carer will be contacted immediately.
• If parent/carer cannot be contacted then all attempts will be made to contact the next available person on the child detail form.
• Parent/carer will be informed of any infection within the nursery by poster detailing as much information and where to seek support/advice.
• Exclusion notice is situated on parent/carer information board situated in the cloak area downstairs with minimal periods for common illnesses.

At Immingham Day Nursery we aim to provide a high quality of care, support and development for children and families. We also aim to build and maintain good parent/Carer relationships.

However of you feel that you have a concern or complaint against the nursery or feel dissatisfied with any aspect of care given, the following procedure will be followed:

• Informal discussion with the key worker
• If remains unresolved then the manager should be contacted
• The manager will then investigate the complaint and report back to the parent/carer within 3 working days
• Alternatively the complaint can be put in writing to the proprietor of the nursery
• A complaint/concern form should be filled in for every issue where a follow up will be done

However if you feel the explanation or solution to the complaint is not satisfactory then the matter can be taken further for this you will need to contact ofsted at the following address:

Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2wD – Tel: 0300 123 3153

• 14 children between the ages of 0-2 years
• 25 children between the ages of 2-5 years

We aim to provide an environment in which each child feels safe, secure, well cared for and conforms to the Equality act 2006. We understand that all children are individuals and that the settling in period will vary. We aim to be flexible about the attendance patterns to accommodate needs of the individual child and families. Working in partnership with the parent/carer and the child. The child’s key worker will ease the settling in process enabling all parties to feel confident and comfortable.

• We monitor the gender and ethnic background of the children joining the setting to ensure that no accidental discrimination is taking place. Children & families from all cultural, ethnic, religious and social groups, with or without disabilities, all are welcome;
• We make our equal opportunities policies widely known.
• Accepting all children whom meet the criteria for 2yr & 3yr free early education.
• If a child is looked after by the local Authority the child will automatically be given a place at the nursery.

The settling in process will include:

• A visit to the nursery with parent/carer to take a look around the nursery environment, allowing you opportunity to chat with the other staff members informally and build a sense of trust and mutual respect.
• Allowing time for any questions or concerns you may have.
• Once the decision has been made the parent/carer must return to the nursery to fill in the necessary forms, to allow accurate up to date records of your child.
• A pre-nursery visit will be arranged so the child can come to the nursery and be left by parent/carer for a maximum of 1.5hours (adhering to the settings adult: child ratio free of charge). Once the child is settled and comfortable being left, there will be a maximum of 2-3 taster sessions offered to the child and family adhering to ratios at all times.

Democracy:

Democracy is embedded within the nursery. Children and parents have the opportunity to have their voices heard through questionnaires, talking to the child’s keyworker, Open door policy with manager. The children get listened to by the staff and keyworkers and is respected. Our behaviour policy involve rewards and sanctions.

The Rule of Law:

Pupils are taught age appropriately the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are a regular part of our calendar events and help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty:

Within nursery, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a nursery we educate and provide boundaries for all the children to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and an empowering approach through the education

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

At Immingham Day Nursery we have are culturally rich and diverse where children have unique opportunities to learn from each other by sharing and celebrating their different faiths and cultures. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within the nursery.

From 1^st July 2015, all schools, registered early years providers and registered later years childcare providers (referred to in this advice as ‘childcare providers’) are subject to a duty under section 26 of the ‘counter terrorism and security act 2015’, in the exercise of their functions to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. This duty is known as the prevent duty. It applies to a wide range of public-facing bodies.

What is Radicalism?

Radicalism refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism. Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is seen as part of Immingham Day Nursery’s wider safeguarding duties, and is similar in nature to protecting children from other forms of harm and abuse. During the process of radicalisation, it is possible to intervene to prevent vulnerable people being radicalised there is no single way of identifying an individual who is likely to be susceptible to an extremist ideology. It can happen in many different ways and settings. Specific background factors may contribute to vulnerability which are often combined with specific needs for which an extremist or terrorist group may appear to provide an answer. The internet and the use of social media in particular has become a major factor in the radicalisation of young people.

What is Extremism?

Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.

Constant Practice and Procedure

At Immingham Day Nursery it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation should be seen as part of a childcare provider’s wider safeguarding duties and is similar in nature to protecting children from other harm (for example, drugs, gangs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influences. We can also build children’s resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views.

Procedure for reporting concerns

If a member of staff in a setting has a concern about a particular child/family, they should follow the setting’s normal safeguarding procedures, including discussing with the setting’s designated safeguarding lead, who will, where deemed necessary, inform children’s social care. A member of staff can also contact their local police force or dial 101 (the non-emergency number). The police can talk to the staff member in confidence about their concerns and help them gain access to support and advice. Also, the police can advise if this would be a case for Channel. The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to enable staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly. Concerns can also be raised by email to counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN AND WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE, PLEASE CONTACT THE HUMBERSIDE POLICE PREVENT TEAM ON 01472 204579

Channel

Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It provides a mechanism for settings to make referrals if they are concerned that an individual might be vulnerable to radicalisation. An individual’s engagement with the programme is entirely voluntary at all stages. Section 36 of the CTSA (counter terrorism and security act, 2015) places a duty on local authorities to ensure Channel panels are in place. The panel must be chaired by the local authority and include the police for the relevant local authority area. Following a referral, the panel will assess the extent to which identified individuals are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, and, where considered appropriate and necessary consent is obtained, arrange for support to be provided to those individuals. Channel is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/channel-guidance