We are hoping to start welcoming Pre-school pupils back from the 22nd June, dependent upon no 'second wave' of Covid infections locally.  

I have attached a parent protocol for all returning children as we extend the opening.  This explains how nursery will manage with social distancing and the changes to the nursery times and organisation.  Please read it carefully and contact me if you require any further information.  

Dear Parent / Carer

Thank you for your continuing support through these unprecedented times.  I hope you and your families are well and are managing the changes to all of our lives.  

As you know the Government asked that we looked to identify how we could open the school to more children.  Thank you to all the parents for making the difficult decision about whether to bring your child to school or to keep them at home.  We recognise the anxiety that making that decision presented you with and will support you whatever decision you reached.

We have worked together with the staff, governing body, Local Authority and the Director of Public Health to ensure our setting is now as safe as it can be during this virus and we have followed all the advice we have received.  

• Pre- school children will return to school in two groups or ‘bubbles’ with a maximum of 15 children in each ‘bubble’.  
• Parents have been informed of which door to enter school via, either pre-school gate or 2/3 gate.
• Staff may wear face visors and other PPE within school to protect themselves and others.
• Children will be required to wash their hands on entry to nursery and throughout the day.
• The children will remain in these groups or ‘bubbles’ throughout the day and will be picked up from the same gate as they entered.
• Children may not have their own nursery teacher however we will aim to limit any changes to the staff working with them in their ‘bubble’.
• The school day for Nursery children will be 9:00am – 11:30 or 12:30-3:00 (15 hour children) or 9:00- 3:00 (30 hour children)  Monday to Thursday.  Nursery will be close on Fridays.
• Children MUST be brought to school and picked up on time in order to enable social distancing.
• Children will not be able to enter nursery through the main office.
• Only one adult should drop off and pick up at nursery.
• Bags can only be brought to nursery if they contain a change of clothes and will be stored outside the classroom. 
• Uniforms/clothes should washed daily.  
• Parents must provide contact details including an email address
• If possible walk to nursery.
• Social distancing measures are in place across and around nursery.
• Nursery staff will not be available for face-to-face discussions before or after school however if you have any concerns please ring the nursery office and a member of the senior leadership team will be available to help.
• The behaviour policy has been adapted to support children with understanding social distancing requirements.  If a child is unable to follow these guidelines safely parents/carers may be asked to take them home for their safety and the safety of others.
• Please keep your child at home if they are unwell or anyone in your household has Covid 19 symptoms:
• • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

The Government has released new advice on 28^th May 2020: guidance for households with possible or confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID 19) infection. We continue to ask our families to follow this advice:

Symptoms:

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. However, if you or anyone in your household have any of the symptoms above you MUST INFORM NURSERY IMMEDIATELY.

Main messages

If your child :

• suffers from a cough
• or has a temperature of 37.8C (100F) 
• or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
•  

 Please ensure they DO NOT come to nursery and your family self isolates at home. 

They should remain at home until 7 days after the start of the symptoms. After 7 days, if they feel better and no longer have a high temperature, can return to their normal routine. 

If anyone in your household displays symptoms of Covid 19 your child must not attend school for 14 days.  

Please alert school if your child or a member of your household has tested positive to COVID 19.

Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection that people in your household could pass on to others in school and in the community.

As a nursery we continue to promote good hand and respiratory hygiene with our pupils:

• Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Catch coughs or sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the bin and wash hands
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

We also:

• Follow a routine cleaning programme with emphasis on frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Provide clean and functional handwashing stations, soap, paper towels, and alcohol‐based hand sanitiser
• Will follow PHE guidance regarding school closures if necessary
• Support staff if they want to wear PPE, including visors, in order to protect themselves 

I recognise that there is a great deal of information in this letter however I want to inform you as much as possible about the changes we have had to make and to explain why we cannot currently welcome all of our families into nursery.

Please be assured that for the children returning we have planned lots of fun, learning activities which explain the changes to them and enable them to enjoy nursery.   We also understand why some children cannot return yet and therefore will also continue to support them with our extensive online learning activities.  

Please keep safe

Andrea Batley