They are encouraged to write their requests as lists for me to take to the shops; another source of writing even for our most reluctant writers. Since developing a permanent domestic role play area, I have realised how much more purposeful it is than any of the areas we created before. This includes decorating it for Christmas and Chinese New Year. During these times, the children were able to discuss and explain what their own family traditions are and how these are not always the same for everyone.
As a faith school we also incorporated our reflection space into the home corner. Despite our changes, the children do continue to experience other forms of role play. This meant that they could play with what they were interested in whilst also keeping our continuous provision going with the domestic role play area and the two areas could be linked in their play when family members were ill. Effective EYFS practice which combines this breadth of experiences with skilful adult interaction needs to be shared and celebrated!
Higher viral load associated with people who have the new variant could have significant implications for transmission via the air, as previous scientific modelling suggests that viral load is a major determinant of airborne transmission risks. Since the emergence of new variants, SAGE has recommended where possible, increasing ventilation flow rates mentioned above by a factor of 1.
For some existing and older buildings, ventilation systems may not have been designed to meet current standards and additional mitigations may be needed. As a precautionary measure it is recommended that ventilation is included as part of any workplace or public indoor environment COVID secure risk assessment, and the necessary mitigation measures are adopted.
However, this is likely to be less important than the ventilation rate mentioned above medium confidence. Childcare settings should as explained above ensure adequate levels of ventilation.
Where centralised or local mechanical ventilation is present, re-circulatory systems should be adjusted to full fresh air. If this is not possible, systems should be operated as normal. Ventilation should commence ahead of session and continue after sessions have finished. Where ventilation units have filters present enhanced precautions should be taken when changing filters. Childcare settings with ventilation systems can consult HSE guidance on ventilation systems.
Where settings rely on natural ventilation including opening windows and doors to provide a supply of fresh air, this practice should continue to improve ventilation. It is however recognised that there will be a need to optimise the amount of fresh air entering a room whilst balancing this with thermal comfort maintaining a reasonable temperature and the risks associated with open windows.
The Fire Safety Risk Assessment should always be reviewed before any internal doors are held open. In winter the need for ventilation remains an important strategy for reducing our risk of exposure to the virus and it will be important to maximise airflow through the use of vents, windows and doors whilst maintaining a comfortable environment. Opening windows in the morning before people come into work or before sessions start for at least five minutes and in the evening when everyone has gone home will allow air to circulate.
In cooler weather windows should be opened just enough to provide constant background ventilation, and opened more fully during breaks to purge the air in the space. Open all windows for a few minutes during the day to allow for cross ventilation — that is for stale air to flow out and fresh air to come in.
Opening internal doors can also assist with increasing the throughput of air as long as they are not fire doors and where safe to do so. Windows and doors do not have to remain fully open to obtain the levels of fresh air required to provide good ventilation, they can be partially opened. Staff may need to be advised how to achieve the most appropriate ventilation in any setting and should start by consulting the HSE guidance. Additional ventilation can be achieved by ventilating rooms more fully between uses.
Whilst improving ventilation is a key control settings should continue to ensure that the wider controls of social distancing, hand washing, respiratory hygiene and enhanced cleaning as outlined in this guidance are implemented and maintained. If buildings have been closed or had reduced occupancy water system stagnation can occur due to lack of use, increasing the risks of Legionnaires disease.
Read HSE guidance covering water management and legionella. You will need to check any water supplies - mains water supplies that have to be reconnected because they were turned off when a premises was closed will need running through to flush away any microbiological or chemical residue that might have built up while it was disconnected.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate, who are the Regulators and technical experts in England and Wales, has produced this advice on maintaining drinking water quality when reinstating water supplies after temporary closure due to the COVID outbreak.
Where settings transport children , the following mitigating actions should be considered where possible in order to reduce mixing and support contact tracing:. Hand hygiene is essential before and after all direct contact with a child, and after cleaning equipment and the environment. Hands should be washed thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. An alcohol-based hand sanitiser can be used if hands are not visibly dirty or soiled and if soap and water are unavailable.
Please refer to the Alert level 2 Guidance for employers, businesses and organisations for further advice. Children should be supervised if using hand sanitiser, given risks around ingestion and potential splashes to face and eyes.
Small children and those with complex needs should continue to be helped to clean their hands properly.
Skin-friendly cleaning wipes can be used as an alternative. However, thorough handwashing with soap and water is more effective than the use of hand sanitisers. Hands should be dried thoroughly after hand washing using disposable paper towels. Paper towels should be disposed of in a lidded bin and not allowed to overflow. Bins should be emptied often and at least daily. Disposable single use tissues should be used to cover the nose and mouth when sneezing, coughing or wiping and blowing the nose.
Used tissue should be disposed of promptly in a separate double bagged waste bin and disposed of safely. Bins should be emptied, cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day. Consider how to encourage young children to learn and practise these personal hygiene habits through games, songs and repetition. Some children with additional learning needs ALN , and disabilities may require additional support in following public health advice, or may find frequent handwashing distressing.
Staff will know where this is likely to be the case and should consider how they can best support individual children. Equipment, toys and surfaces, including those across all areas of the setting such as toilets, sinks, taps and changing areas, tables and handles should be cleaned and disinfected frequently in line with Infection Prevention and Control for Childcare Settings Guidance please see appendix 9.
Outdoor equipment and entrance gates should also be cleaned and disinfected frequently. Children should wash their hands between activities. Cleaning routines including times, dates, and name of person responsible for the cleaning should be recorded to meet the requirements.
We realise that childcare staff are required to provide close contact care for small children, including toileting, nappy changing and feeding.
In these situations, staff should follow Infection Prevention and Control for Childcare Settings Guidance using aprons and gloves as necessary. Where a symptomatic individual or a positive case has attended the setting the principles of the COVID cleaning advice should be followed in conjunction with the sector specific advice outlined in the Infection Prevention and Control for Childcare Settings Guidance.
Additional cleaning and disinfecting must be undertaken of areas with which a symptomatic individual or those with a positive test result has come into contact. Except for public areas where those with symptoms or a positive test result have passed through and spent minimal time and which are not visibly contaminated with body fluids, all surfaces that the symptomatic person has come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the Infection Prevention and Control for Childcare Settings Guidance once the individual has moved from the area.
These surfaces include:. The clothes of staff and children who have come into contact with a symptomatic child or positive case should be washed on a hot wash in accordance with the guidance on contaminated laundry in Infection Prevention and Control for Childcare Settings Guidance.
It is therefore suggested that staff keep a change of clothes in the setting. When items cannot be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example, upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning should be used. Any items that are heavily contaminated with body fluids and cannot be cleaned by washing should be disposed of. In cleaning the areas where an individual with possible or confirmed COVID has been, disposable gloves and an apron should be worn as a minimum.
Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after the gloves and apron have been removed. Waste should be stored safely and kept away from children. You should not put your waste in communal waste areas until negative test results are known or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours. If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, arrange for collection as a Category B infectious waste either by your local waste collection authority if they currently collect your waste or otherwise by a specialist clinical waste contractor.
They will supply you with orange or purple clinical waste bags for you to place your bags into so the waste can be sent for appropriate treatment. Attention must be paid to avoiding infection control during wear, removal, storage and disposal. PPE is manufactured to a regulated standard and is intended to provide the wearer with a known level of protection for health and safety purposes.
The face coverings that are generally available everywhere are not considered PPE. The information below is based on current advice. We will keep this under review and update if required, based on scientific evidence. Gloves, fluid repellent gown, FFP3 mask and eye protection are required in cases where aerosol generating procedures such as suction are undertaken. All staff should understand how to put on and remove PPE in order to reduce the risk of onward transmission of infection.
Further guidance is available here in appendix 6 of the Infection Prevention and Control for Childcare Settings Guidance. Childcare settings are not considered to be public spaces and therefore the wearing of face coverings is not mandatory in a childcare setting.
Face coverings are not considered to be PPE and are not required in a childcare setting. However, where the setting feels their use would be needed, careful consideration should be given to how to do this appropriately and ensure the needs of children are met, particularly those with additional needs. The guidance on use of face coverings in the Alert Level 2 Guidance for, employers, businesses and organisations should be followed. Settings should also ensure adequate waste bins on premises for those who choose to use single-use face coverings.
Face coverings or visors are not PPE and would not prevent an individual being identified as a close contact by the TTP team. Settings may wish to consider advising parents to wear face coverings when dropping off and picking up children where maintaining a social distance between staff and parents is difficult. Settings should also consider their advice on face coverings for essential visitors and make their policy on this clear before visits take place.
Where a setting is located on a school site they should ensure they understand and abide by the school policies on the use of face coverings and may wish to consult the school operational guidance. Where settings are based on mixed-use sites, they should consult and adhere to the guidance provided for the site and the policies of the landlord on the wearing of face coverings in communal areas.
Any person who may not be able to adapt to face coverings as directed e. If parents want children to wear face coverings the practicalities of how this can be managed within the setting should be discussed. Children under the age of 3 should not wear face coverings at all for safety reasons. If staff in childcare settings wish to wear face coverings, they may do so, as long as they follow the advice for safe and hygienic use.
When given the opportunity to play children are likely to be physically active by running, jumping, dancing, climbing, digging, lifting, pushing and pulling. This short workshop is ideal for anyone working in an early years setting that provides care to children. The workshop is especially suited to those who would like to learn more about the importance of physical activity in the early years and how to engage children in more physically active play.
If you have any queries about the workshop or to book please contact us.
0コメント