Welcome to the Summer 2020 Childminding Best Practice Newsletter – the Covid 19 Special Edition! As well as the usual art projects, this newsletter includes Covid risk assessments, sample letters to send home to parents, a Covid policy and lots of other tips from other childminders to help you to make your own decisions for your business for the next few months.
Scroll down to read the newsletter online, or download it as a PDF.
Inspirational Best Practice – Ideas, Stories and Links
- Haven’t made up your mind about reopening? Read what other childminders say
- Why you should read to babies
Crafts for Fathers’ Day and Humpty Dumpty free EYFS Art Project
EYFS Paperwork, policy and legislation updates – loads of Covid Stuff
- Covid 19 Risk Assessments
- Letter to parents explaining your reopening policy
- Covid 19 Policy
Forest Childcare Association News
The next issue will be coming out in Autumn 2020.
Thank you to everyone who sent in contributions to this newsletter. I welcome contributions from readers on all aspects of childminding best practice.
Happy reading! Stay safe and healthy. And good luck with whatever you decide.
Kay
Inspirational Best Practice – Ideas, Stories and Links
The focus of this newsletter is (like everything else at the moment) on Covid and reopening after Covid. I want to wish each of you good luck over the coming months with the many difficult choices and decisions you have ahead of you.
However, before launching into policies, risk assessments and other people’s views, take a moment to read this story. I didn’t write this story. It is very famous and many of you will have read it before. It is a story I love because for me it captures the essence of childminding – making a difference to one.
Starfish Story
While walking along a beach, an old man saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer, he noticed it was a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.
He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”
Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young man, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”
Haven’t made up your mind about reopening on 1st June yet? Read what other childminders are thinking
I have made the decision not to reopen until after the summer hols (depending on current circumstances with this virus). I don’t think expecting children to socially distance in primary school is realistic and virtually impossible if I were to have several children in my home.
Our LA have advised against reopening on 1st June, so I am remaining open for key workers only until stated otherwise.
I am going to open and it will be business and toys as normal. As a childminder working with 6/7 young children every day I will be making one batch of playdough as normal for ex and will let them play. I am not going to stand over them saying no don’t share/that’s yours/that’s hers etc. I will simply put it away when finished and wash hands. I’m not going to clean the wall or door or floor every time a child touches it. (Just my opinion) Things seem to be going too far.
I have one key worker’s child and that’s it. But I really won’t survive without getting more children in though. I’m so scared but it’s either get children in or lose my home.
I’ve not shut, everything’s been fine. I’ve got 2 families, two sisters and one newbie (his childminder chose to close) and it’s been fine. Lots of hand washing, anti bac wiping down and being careful but my main thing has been trust. Trust that the four parents are adhering to the rules and my guarantee that I am.
I’m re opening the 2nd week in June. I think only 3 eyfs are coming back I am only looking at opening Monday, Tuesday or may do Mon to Wed for a few weeks, ease the little ones back in and see how everything goes.
I am reopening and I am confident with the guidelines I have put in place. That being said, I am 30, my fiancé is 32 and we are both fit and healthy with no children of our own. Also, I have been open for key workers throughout and if anything, my setting is safer now than it was when lockdown began!
I was so worried but had 2 siblings back this week and it’s been so lovely and you tend to forget all the worries or I did anyway
I am not opening until 1st September, most wouldn’t of come back until then anyway but they have all been great. I have 3 boys in secondary but my eldest has asthma. Was a very hard decision but glad it is done now.
I might reopen. Parents were very supportive to me through this tough times so I feel I need to help them too. It will be stressful though but I think this is not going to disappear in September (I hope I’m wrong) but I’m still waiting for what the government has to say at the end of this month.
The fact is that none of my parents want to bring their children back yet
I am not sending my boys back to school (year 1) as I think it’s too early. My two early years also don’t want to come back yet and my afterschoolers are in years that are not going back yet
No. Husband vulnerable. Not opening till July earliest.
I want to reopen BUT not allow parents to split care between my setting and another setting. I sent out a newsletter to all mine yesterday explaining that I’m not accepting split care – it’s me or nursery.
I will be doing school runs. I work with my husband so one will stay here with little ones while the other does the school run.
I’m in a flat that doesn’t have outdoor space. If I was in a house with a garden attached I may feel differently. I’m thinking of re-opening in September possibly when I know more about the situation etc. Also my husband is working from home and needs quiet so it just won’t work at the moment.
I’m not, unless there are major changes in levels of safety. I’m not happy to send my own child to school yet, nor invite other families into our home when I can’t even invite friends & family in. I’ve stated that until it feels like the right time that it’s safe to take children back, then I’m not opening. My parents are on the same page which is great, & are able to juggle for now!
My own children are not going back to school. Knowing how they are in the holidays, playing, clambering, carrying, it would be impossible to keep them apart. I want my home to be their safe space without it turning into a bleach three times a day half empty space. They need nurturing right now, my business will build back up later.
I’m not opening yet. I want the chance to see how infection rates in my area pan out before I throw open my doors. I am concerned on health grounds.
I have decided today to open 1st June but only for parents that need it for them both to go out to work. I won’t be having them for them to sit at home! I know only 1 will need me June time and another 2 maybe July time.
Why should you read to babies when they don’t understand?
Even though babies don’t understand what you are saying, when you are reading to them, they are picking up language all the time. All of that language is all going in! There is a direct link between how many words a baby hears spoken to him each day and the language skills they have acquired by age 2.
Reading to babies:
- Teaches a baby about communication and builds their vocabulary
- Introduces them to concepts such as numbers, colours, shapes and letters
- Helps their listening skills and memory
- Gives them information about the world around them
- Gives them an appreciation for the sounds and rhythm of the spoken language
Most importantly reading to babies is a pleasant way to spend time with them. The rhythmical sound of your voice will help to lull them to feel secure and build on the bond between you.
Tips for Outstanding Ofsted Inspections
Even though Ofsted isn’t doing inspections at the moment, this is not a reason not to be staying prepared. The key to getting outstanding is to be mostly prepared for Ofsted most of the time! If you are not open, then now is a good time to get your paperwork in order.
A good way to prepare for your inspection is to imagine your inspector is watching you next time you do an activity with the children. She will be watching to make sure that you don’t have too many resources out at once in your house or garden and that the children aren’t surrounded by so many toys that they don’t have space to move around properly and worse, get distracted by things and can’t concentrate. Think about how the children move around your spaces and make sure your setting does not appear cluttered.
Childminding Best Practice Club member Michele King gets outstanding
“I just wanted to e-mail and personally thank you for helping me achieve my Ofsted Outstanding that I received yesterday. Since joining the “Childminding Best Practice Club” I have achieved a lot from activities to paperwork for which I am convinced you have helped me. Ofsted were very impressed with everything. Many thanks, Michele King”
Art and Activity Ideas
NEW: Childminding Best Practice Club – Themed Activity Packs emailed to you – £2.50 per month – July is ‘Tiger Themed’
Members of my new Childminding Best Practice Club are emailed a monthly pack of themed activities, plus activities that support continual professional development (CPD).Please join today to get templates and instructions for fun tiger themed activities like these:
For Fathers’ Day – 21st June – contributed by Jackie Eccleston and Libby Lea
Thanks to childminders Jackie Eccleston and Libby Lea for contributing these lovely ideas for Fathers’ Day.
Ice Cream Craft Display Idea – contributed by Shani Anderson
Humpty Dumpty with EYFS Observations
Observe the children while you explore the ‘sounds words make’. Enhance their pre-literary skills while you make a Humpty Dumpty picture. Remember that teaching through rhymes and songs is a big focus of the latest Inspection Framework. Download the free PDF here.
Please Like me on Facebook
Please like and follow my Facebook page. I share inspection tips, craft and activity ideas, news stories affecting childminders, articles supporting best practice, legislation updates and some funnies. Liking my Facebook page is also a totally free way to support my small business and I really appreciate you taking the time.
EYFS Paperwork, Policy and Legislation News
Summary of key points for childminders in England for reopening settings on 1st June
This article summarises the key points from the government publication Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings for childminders.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings
The full government guidance document about reopening from 1st June.
Pacey Covid-19 Resource Page
Lots of information on their pages is free to everyone whether you are a member or not and they’ve got a lot of links you can look through.
Note: the following resources have been submitted to me by various childminders. They have done their best with what is available. All of these documents were written prior to 22nd May 2020. Information changes very fast. The latest government guidance document Planning guide for early years and childcare settings now addresses some of this information and you should consult it when writing your own documents. For example, they are clear that there is no need to take children’s temperatures every few hours.
The risk assessment provided below includes many items that many of you will NOT consider to be risks. I like this risk assessment because it shows that she has THOUGHT about the items. So you may ‘risk assess’ them and come to very different conclusions about the level of risk. But the point of the list is that she has thought about EVERYTHING and if you use it in your own setting, it will allow you to the same.
Everything below last updated 22 May 2020
A sample letter to send home to parents prior to your 1st June opening
This was written by a member of the Childminding Best Practice Club who wishes to remain anonymous. You are free to adapt this as you choose for your own setting. Last updated 19/5/2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
We will re-open the setting on June 1st 2020 following our short closure to observe the government guidance. We have adapted our setting to ensure the welfare and safety of the families and children attending, any staff present and our own families.
The setting may not open in the same way as previously and we will follow the following guidance for prioritising the children who attend:
Priority One:
- Those families where both parents (or lone parent) are key workers.
- Those families where one parent is a key worker and the other parent has to be present in the workplace in order to do their job.
- Vulnerable children including those with SEND, low income households and those with a family social worker.
Priority Two:
- Those who require a full-time place (4 days or more)
- Siblings of those children attending full-time
- Children who require placement during the summer holidays.
Priority Three
- All other children who have previously attended the setting and are registered here.
Hygiene Measures:
It is important to stress that social distancing is not possible to maintain where young children are concerned. We cannot enforce this at the setting as we would not be able to deliver the curriculum or any activities. We will be reinforcing hand washing and good hygiene habits with all children and staff but children will be interacting and playing together. If you are concerned about this then I continue to advise that your children stay at home with you and do not attend the setting. If you or any members of your household fall into the vulnerable groups, I also advise that you keep your children at home with you for this reason.
Measures to be observed by parents:
No visitors are allowed to the setting except for staff, parents, carers, children and deliveries.
Children are to be met outside by a member of childminding staff. All children and parents are required to use the hand sanitiser provided at the front door. Parents are asked not to enter the house except where very young children cannot be physically handed over without doing so.
All parents and carers are asked to observe the two metre distancing rules when dropping off and collecting children, using the demarcated areas set out at the house.
Brief verbal handover will be given at a distance of two metres, and longer discussion are to be held over the phone or via e-mail.
Any forms are to be completed online and prior to being dropped off with the exception of existing Injury forms that have to be completed by parents at the setting if needed. Accident forms will need to be signed by parents on collection of their child at the end of the session.
Parents must not bring a child in that has been administered Calpol or displayed any of the COVID-19 related symptoms.
Please do not bring scooters and bikes to the setting in order to minimize the items being brought from home.
No items are to be placed to be on pegs – everything must go home or be bagged and stored. We will not bring book bags from school or new property into the setting. Please do not send your children with property from home such as cuddly toys or stationery.
All outdoor shoes are to be removed outside and placed into the shoe box designated.
Inside the Setting:
At 9.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm staff will undertake a full disinfection of all surfaces, door handles, telephones and other high traffic areas using clinical wipes.
Staff are to follow government guidance on social distancing when not at work.
Staff and children will have their temperature taken on arrival and at lunch and teatime or as identified necessary (i.e. not well) and this will be recorded.
The conservatory will act as an isolation room in the event that a child becomes unwell and displays symptoms associated with Covid19.
We will not use flannels, but instead a bowl containing hot washing water and disposable hand towels / wipes. I have purchased a large number of Clinical surgery standard disinfectant wipes.
We will not be attending any closed spaces or buildings such as shops, libraries with the children when they re-open. This will be re-visited as government advice changes but at this time we will only visit open spaces and woodland areas.
Self-Isolating
All Staff, parents, carers and children must self-isolate for 7 days from the onset of symptoms: a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, and any individuals in their household will now be asked to self-isolate for 14 days from that moment as well. Children that have been sent home with symptoms can return earlier on the production of a negative test result.
Please be assured that we will continue to prioritise the welfare and safety of all children and their families. The setting may be liable to closure at very short notice in the event of an outbreak and this risk will present for some time.
Wishing you and your families all the best and good health.
A Childminder
Childminding Best Practice Club Member Sandrine Curpanen shares how she is planning to open and also the email she has sent to her parents
You may copy and adapt as much as this as you want for your setting.
I intend on running 2 groups : group 1 will be composed of EYFS and school children not attending school and group 2 will be of school children only. I work with an assistant so we are working on our activity timetable and room allocations. I am lucky to have a garden with a gazebo on the patio so this will be used to the max in conjunction with indoors rooms to separate group 1 for mealtimes and activity.
Only few toys will be kept at children’s level for the toddlers which will be cleaned twice a day after group 1 and after group 2. The rest is going to be put in plastic boxes some in my garage and the rest out of reach. Children will need to ask for toys (the older ones) and according to our activity I will choose a selection to leave out. I am putting a dirty basket in place so that instead of children putting toys away they will have to put them in the dirty baskets which I will need to clean afterwards. Resources with lots of pieces I.e. duplos, play kitchen accessories will be scaled down and not used too often.
As a result of all the extra daily cleaning required I am not operating my normal hours (7.30am to 6.30pm) but (9am to 3pm) for group 1 and before and after school for group 2.
As for the nursery children (3/4 yr old) they normally attend the nursery school in the morning and afternoon with me, I have told parents that I cannot do this anymore and I am hoping to make a deal with the nursery school so that the children either do their 30 hours with the school only or with me.
—
Dear Parents
I hope that you and your families are well.
I am writing in response to the Government’s proposal to open childcare settings to children of all ages as from 1 June.
As the Government has highlighted I am conscious that the mental wellbeing of children is strengthened through social interactions with their peers and finally by enabling children to return to childcare settings / school it will in turn allow more parents to return to work.
There are however numerous factors to be taken into account and the Government has included many of these in the documents that it released on Monday.
It really goes without saying that the most important factor is that I should do everything that I can to protect the health of your children, your family, my family and Sxxxx. As part of this I have been asked to carry out a risk assessment to ensure that everything has been done to protect the health of all of us when I do reopen. I am in the process of completing this and putting in place the additional protective measures that I have identified, such as disinfecting toys, equipment, furniture, door handles etc. at regular intervals throughout the day. I am also looking at how I will need to reorganise our daily routine so that I will be able to welcome back children when it is appropriate to do so.
A strong point from the Government’s guidance is to ensure that children and young people are in the same small groups at all times each day, and different groups are not mixed during the day, or on subsequent days.
In order to abide to the small groups advice I will be welcoming children who do not attend school from 9am to 3pm for the rest of the school year. I will be reviewing those opening hours to non school children on a regular basis following government’s advice on mixing different groups and school children attendance.
I would like to notify you of few temporary changes that I will apply as from 1 June such as:
Food – unfortunately I will not be able to provide lunch and snacks. The reason being is that I cannot guarantee that I will be able to secure a weekly food delivery. I will kindly ask for parents to provide a pack lunch and snacks in a plastic container which I can disinfect the exterior on arrival. I am happy to reheat any lunches if need be.
Hand towel – As regular hand washing is highly recommended, could all children bring their own hand towel on a daily basis which can then be sent back home for cleaning.
Beddings – could children who requires nap bring their own bedding on a daily basis
Soft toys / own toys– I will kindly ask children not to bring any soft toys (e.g. teddy bears, costumes etc..) which are difficult to disinfect on arrival. I appreciate that children at times enjoy showing and sharing their own toys with their peers, however the government/s guidance recommend to minimise the sharing of toys and resources therefore can you please make sure that your child does not bring his/her own toys.
Outings
At the beginning I do not intend on doing any outings until I have been advised it is safe to do so. Should we do outings it will be to local parks where no public transport is required. I will notify parents in advance to seek your permissions.
Drop off / Collection time
As advised by the Government I am making changes to the drop off and collection of your child:
- Please be on time
- On arrival and at collection time parents are asked to not come in, the handover will be done at the door whilst keeping safe distance as much possible between adults.
- Parents are asked to not gather closely at the front of my house and keeping the recommended social distance between themselves.
- Children will start to get ready 5 min before home time.
Clothing / PPE
The Government has not recommended practitioners to wear PPE during opening hours, however as a precautionary measure Sxxxxx and I will be changing clothes in between the attendance of the different groups. Children are asked to change their clothes on a daily basis.
I appreciate that with the measures listed above and your personal circumstances, it is not possible to abide to our contractual hours. In order for me to plan our weekly schedule I would be grateful if you could let me know as soon as possible the days and hours you would like your child to attend my setting when I reopen on 1 June.
Should further guidance on preparing childcare settings for reopening is issued from the Government I will share this with you as soon as I am able to.
If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards,
Sandrine
Returning to childminding during Coronavirus Policy – contributed by Childminding Best Practice Club Member Ilana Hill
Ilana has done a great job with this. You may adapt or change her policy as suits your setting.
The UK has been in lockdown since March and early years and childcare settings such as myself were told by the government to close from Monday 23 March 2020. I have been looking after key worker and vulnerable children since then. We have been told by government that we may be able to begin looking after all children of all ages from as early as 1 June 2020. This policy has been written to document how my setting with do it’s utmost to control and reduce the risk of transmission of the Coronavirus. I have had to figure out what will work for my setting by balancing keeping myself and the children safe and providing a service to all of my families.
Policy (what I will do)
My policy will be to reduce contact between people as much as possible. We can achieve this and reduce transmission by ensuring that children and myself only mix in small, consistent groups that stay away from other people and groups. Public Health England (PHE) is clear that if early year’s settings, schools and colleges do this, and crucially if we also apply regular hand cleaning, hygiene and cleaning measures and handle potential cases of the virus as per government advice, then the risk of transmission will be lowered.
We cannot social distance young children. We have a duty of care to provide for their basic needs such as love, comfort, food, hygiene etc. and so I will continue to change nappies and love and cuddle the children in my care.
Public Health England have advised us that the symptoms of Coronavirus include a new continuous cough and high temperature (37.8 degrees and above). Symptoms typically appear 2-10 days after infection and any contact with the virus could potentially make any of us ill.
I will follow government guidelines to keep myself safe and healthy. I would ask that all of the families of children who attend my setting do the same. Avoid public transport if at all possible and do not visit public places except for food or medical assistance. If at any time anyone in your household shows any symptoms of the coronavirus I ask that you keep your children at home until that person has been tested or for at least 14 days from the day their symptoms started. If the test is negative the child may return to my setting, however if the test is positive then you will need to keep your child at home for at least 14 days.
If a child or anyone in their home tests positive whilst they have been in my care I will have to close my whole setting until their test comes back negative or after 14 days. This would mean no childcare for anyone.
I will keep up to date with new regulations and guidance from government, Department for Education and Ofsted and communicate any necessary details to all families by email or text.
Procedure (how I will do it)
I will continue to regulate thorough hand washing routines and monitor these where necessary. There will be a constant supply of soap and warm water for this purpose as well as single use flannels for hand drying which the children will place directly into the washing machine after each use. These will be washed every evening at 60 degrees. If children’s hands become dried or cracked I will apply a small dab of hand cream for them to rub in. I will get parent/carer permission to do so.
I will continue to encourage children to catch coughs and sneezes into a tissue and put the tissue into the bin immediately followed by thorough hand washing. I will also continue to encourage children to turn their head away from others if they cough or sneeze. The bin will be emptied as soon as it is half full and at the end of each day.
I will continue to implement a ‘drop at the door’ policy where parents/carers do not enter my setting. Only one parent/carer should drop or collect their child at my setting at one time. Please knock or ring the doorbell then step back onto the driveway and I will encourage the children to come inside. If this proves emotional or difficult then please do come with me into the hallway and I will close the kitchen door to prevent other children joining us in the hallway. If you children are old enough, understand and are happy to do so they can walk to my front door on their own from your car. Please stay in your car and text me when you arrive on my driveway. I will open my front door and wave; encouraging your children to walk to my front door independently.
I will implement staggered drop off and collection times for each family so that no two families arrive at my setting at the same time. If you arrive and notice another family is at my front door please stay in your vehicle or on the pavement at the end of my driveway until the other family has left before you approach my front door.
I will ask each child to remove coats and shoes, hang these on their hooks in the hallway and then immediately wash hands before touching anything in my setting. I will encourage and assist any children that need it.
Children’s individual bags should contain a change of clothes and any other items that you think I may need and be dropped to my setting at least 72 hours before your child is due to come back after 1 June 2020. I will isolate these bags and then place them on their hooks in the hallway for use. If I use an item from the bag (such as a change of clothes) I will put dirty clothes in a tied plastic bag and send home with the child and ask for a new set of clothes to replace those from the bag. Please do not send toys and comforters from home each day. Children will also not be allowed to use electronic devices brought from home.
There is no need for anything other than normal personal hygiene and washing of clothes following a day in an educational or childcare setting
My setting will be well ventilated and kept clean at all times, particularly high traffic areas such as light switches, door handles, toys, tables and chairs etc.
Toys and resources will be kept to a minimum and rotated at the end of each day with those kept in storage to prevent cross contamination. Dolls clothes and blankets will be washed after every use.
The children will eat meals and snacks from individual plates using both the dining room table and the little activity table to help keep them spaced apart. I will explain to the children why we are not sharing and why we should not take food from others plates. I am keeping daily numbers of children to 6 maximum so I can sit 4 at the dining room table and 2 at the activity table. All food and drinks to be supplied by myself, please do not send food or drink from home.
My clothes will be washed after every day and not re-used. I will wash my hands regularly and do my best not to touch my face. I will not wear a face mask and do not expect the children to wear one.
No outside visitors will come into my home whilst the lockdown is in place and my cleaner will temporarily come on a weekend when I am out of the house.
My buggy will be cleaned by wiping it down and spraying with antibacterial spray at the end of each day or more often if required.
We will not leave the premises at this time other than to drop off and pick up from nursery. I will drive the children in my car to nursery, stay in my car in the car park, text the key worker who will come to my car to collect the children. At the end of the nursery session I will stay in my car in the car park, text the key worker who will bring the children to my car.
We will use the garden and resources outside as much as possible to get fresh air and exercise. As things progress and on advice from the government I may begin to do the school run but will let you know as and when this may happen.
If you decide not to send your children back if I am able to re-open on 1 June 2020 I will continue to charge a 50% of your usual monthly fee unless otherwise discussed individually with each family.
Sample email to find out if parents will still want your services when you reopen – contributed by Childminding Best Practice Club Member Sue Burnel
Dear Parents,
Following my previous email, please can you confirm the following:
1) Will you NEED childcare when I re-open to all ages on 1st June?
2) Will you be sending your child, should they be eligible, back to school on 1st June?
3) Will you be sending your child back to school, and to my setting?
If your child attends school, and you require me to have them after school, it would not be possible for me to do drop off and do collection from school with other children in my care, because this would not be supporting current guidance, and other parents may not have agreed for their child to leave my setting during this time.
Parents are also being asked to carefully consider using only one childcare setting for all their care to minimise risk.
Depending on the uptake for places at my setting: days / times required, the ages of the children and the different families concerned, I will need to reflect on how the children can be safely cared for at my setting whilst minimising any potential risk of infection.
Therefore I will be contacting you all individually over this next week to discuss what your childcare requirements will be going forward. If you have already discussed and decided this within your family, please feel free to confirm this to me via email or text.
Thank you to those parents who have already responded to my first email and have given me their childcare requirements going forward.
Many thanks for your time in reading this email, and thank-you for your continued support,
Kind regards
Sue
Risk Assessments for Covid-19 – contributed by Ilana Hill
Ilana Hill is sharing her list of risk assessments she is doing. You should adapt this list for your own setting and think if there are any further risks you need to add for your own house. But this is a wonderful, comprehensive place to start.
| Area | Hazard | Control measures in place |
| Driveway | Parents/carers and children standing too close to each other | Staggered drop off and collection times in place, note to parents asking them to stay in their car if they arrive when another parent/carer is at my front door |
| drop off and pick up | If children responsible enough (and with parents/carer agreement) parents/carer can text me upon arrive and stay in their car whilst the children walk to my door or walk from my door to the parent/carer car at pick up | |
| Front Door | Doorbell | Cleaned after every use. Positioned higher up so that children cannot touch |
| Door and handle | Cleaned after every use and at end of the day | |
| Hallway | carpeted bottom step where children sit | sprayed with antibacterial spray after every use |
| Children’s hanging hooks | cleaned at the end of each session | |
| Children’s bags | Parents asked to put one bag together with spare items to be dropped at my house at least 72 hours before 1 June. Ilana isolate each child’s bag for 72 hours (probably outside on back patio to get fresh air (if not raining) then place onto each child’s individual peg. Used items sent home in tied plastic bag with the children, request for replacements with parents, and repeat the cycle | |
| communication with parents/carers | no paper diaries to go home, I will be using text, tapestry (online learning journey), phone calls and emails to communicate the daily activities and routines of the children | |
| kitchen door and handle | cleaned after every use and deep cleaned at the end of each day | |
| Children’s toys/comforter from home | No toys from children’s home to come to my setting please unless they are in the bag that arrived 72 hours before the child is due to start (this includes electronic devices) | |
| Other items from children’s homes (such as buggies, car seats etc) | to be stored outside behind my car if appropriate and not raining or in lounge on newspaper to stop transmission from wheels and out of reach of children | |
| Playroom | Soft toys | rotated with those in storage at the end of each day |
| Sofa cushions | removed | |
| blankets | washed after every use | |
| Toys and books | Kept to a minimum, rotated with those in storage every day, cleaned as required and deep cleaned at the end of each day | |
| Floor | Cleaned whenever needed throughout the day, hoovered and mopped at the end of each day | |
| Leather sofa | Cleaned as required and at the end of each day | |
| Children’s table and chairs | Cleaned after every use, then again at the end of the day | |
| Messy play (playdough, waterbeads etc) | Each child to have own individual tray with own playdough or waterbeads etc, not to be shared between children (Ilana will explain why), thrown away or sent home with that child after 1st use | |
| Craft activities | Each child to have their own individual resources, explain to children why not sharing at the moment, craft activities taken home with child at the end of each day | |
| Computer | Keyboard and mouse cleaned after each use and deep cleaned at the end of the day | |
| Computer table | Cleaned whenever needed throughout the day and deep cleaned each evening | |
| Cupboard doors and drawer handles | Wiped clean after every use and at the end of each day | |
| Dining room chairs | Wiped clean after every use and at the end of each day | |
| Dining room table | Wiped clean after every use and at the end of each day | |
| Downstairs bathroom | Toilet | As usual wiped clean after every use and deep clean at the end of the day |
| sliding door | Wiped clean after every use and deep cleaned at the end of the day | |
| Basin | Cleaned after every use and deep clean at the end of the day | |
| Hand washing | Teach children to wash hands using soap and warm water thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds), monitor and assist where necessary | |
| Hand drying | Single use flannels on top of toilet for drying hands, placed in washing machine immediately after use for 60degree wash each night | |
| Toilet roll holder | Wiped clean after every use and deep cleaned at the end of the day | |
| Walls | Wiped clean as required and deep cleaned at the end of the day | |
| Quiet Room | Toys and resources | kept to a minimum, rotated daily with those in storage shed, cleaned at the end of every day or more frequently if required |
| Toys and resources | For older children put together a box for each child of favorite toys for their sole use when here | |
| Soft toys | rotated with those in storage after each day | |
| Dolls buggies | sprayed with antibacterial spray at the end of every day and rotated every evening with those kept in storage | |
| Kitchen | Water bottles | Only water bottles provided by me to be used, each child has own bottle, dishwashed at end of each day |
| Plates, bowls and utensils | Each child has own (no sharing), placed in dishwasher immediately after use, washed overnight every day | |
| Cupboard doors and handles | Wiped clean after each use and at the end of the day | |
| Generally | Children restricted in the kitchen so that food items not touched by many | |
| Surfaces and chopping boards | Sterilised and cleaned after every use | |
| Tea towel | kept out of children’s reach and washed after every use | |
| Lounge | Soft furnishings, carpet, cushions | Children not allowed in here unless in travelcot to sleep |
| Travelcot | Sprayed with antibacterial spray after every use and wiped clean | |
| Travelcot fitted sheet | Each child has their own, washed at high temp after every use | |
| Blanket | Each child has their own, washed at high temp after every use | |
| Outside | table and chairs | Wiped down after each use and at the end of the day |
| sand pit | closed and out of use (I will explain to the children why) | |
| Water tray | Only soapy water play or used for loose parts and imaginative play such as dinosaurs, cars etc | |
| Veg garden equipment | each child have their own spades, watering cans, forks etc which are cleaned at the end of every day | |
| Climbing frame | Sprayed with antibacterial spray at lunch time and at the end of each day | |
| Trampoline | Remind children that only 1 person on the trampoline at one time, sprayed with antibacterial spray halfway through the session and then at the end of each day | |
| Ride ons and other toys | Wiped down at the end of the day, rotated daily | |
| Play House | Soft furnishings and soft toys | rotated with those in storage after each day |
| Tables and Chairs | wiped down at the end of each day | |
| Door handle | Wiped down as required and at the end of the day | |
| Other toys | Rotated with those in storage every day, wiped down as required and at the end of the day | |
| Mud kitchen | Pots, pans other metal objects | Washed at end of each session |
| Natural objects | pine cones, leaves, feathers stones etc washed with soapy water at the end of each session and left in fresh air | |
| Rubber and plastic bowls etc | Each child have their own and washed at end of each session | |
| Wooden utensils | washed at end of each session and left out in fresh air | |
| mud | Each child to have their own tray of mud which is disposed of at the end of their play session | |
| Everywhere | ventilation | Every area of my setting will be well ventilated at all times, if the weather is good two doors will remain open to allow a flow of air throughout the setting |
| General cleaning | Spills, sneezes, toilet accidents etc will be cleaned at the time and the whole area will be kept very clean all of the time | |
| General | Children will be encouraged to help with the wiping down and cleaning of surfaces and toys and I will do a deep clean of the entire area at the end of each day | |
| Parents/carers | Health | Ask all parents to monitor their health and take all precautions laid out by the Government |
| Symptoms | If anyone in the household begins to show any symptoms particularly a continuous cough or a high temperature, then children to be kept at home | |
| Children | Sneezing, coughing, licking | Teach the catch it, bin it, kill it routine, tissues straight in the dustbin, hands washed, also talk to the children about licking and spitting not being acceptable (taking age and stage of development into account also) |
| Bodily fluids onto their own clothes | Change of clothes from spares bag, dirty clothes washed at high temp or sent home in tied plastic bag | |
| Coronavirus Symptoms | Most telling symptoms are a new continuous cough and a high temperature above 37.5 degrees. Other symptoms could include runny noses, headache, stomach ache, upset tummy, general flu like symptoms. I will be aware of these symptoms in my setting and take precautions laid out below. | |
| Child showing symptoms of Coronavirus | Isolated from everyone else as much as possible whilst keeping them safe and happy, contact parent/carer for immediate collection | |
| temperature of children | By the time a temperature becomes apparent individuals already have Coronavirus and could have previously been contageous so I will not be taking temperatures at my setting. If parents wish to do so or are concerned they could take their children’s temperature at home before they come to my setting and let me know the outcome. | |
| Toffee Dog | pick up virus from outside walks | for the time being outside walks for Toffee will be limited to Friday evening only so that she has enough time to be clear of possible contaminants before children come into contact with her on a Monday |
| Bedding | Toffee’s crate will continue to be stored in the quiet room with her cushion inside. I will continue to wash the cushion once a week and I will also explain to the children why they should not climb into her crate or touch her cushion | |
| Family members | Zxx my daughter | Will remain in her student house in Bxxx. If she shows interest in coming home I will discuss this with you all, she will self isolate in her bedroom for 72 hours before being allowed to mix with any of the children |
| Visitors | Cleaner | My cleaner will come on a Saturday morning whilst I am out of the house and she will be wearing protective clothing, gloves, a mask, shoe covers, etc |
| General | Visitors will not be allowed into my setting until the government give clearance for social distancing measures to be relaxed |
Forest Childcare Association News
Members of the Forest Childcare Association commit to taking the children on an outdoor outing to a ‘wild’ place once a week.
How to use the Forest Childcare logo to promote your business. Case study: Charlie Bear’s Nursery, Seaford
Charlie Bear is a small new nursery managed by Anita Ryciak. When Anita joined the Forest Childcare Association she wrote: “Our regular outdoor activities and experiential learning in the natural environment are our best unique selling point (USP) and becoming a member of the Forest Childcare Association we hope will aid us to start a new direction for smaller nurseries to emulate.”
“We are wonderfully placed in a locality with some amazing outdoor resources. The famous ‘Severn Sisters’ are just at the top of our golf course and we have Friston Forest, the Cuckmere Valley and Beachy Head within a few minutes’ drive. I have been lucky enough to be granted a small allotment patch within a secure gated Seaford Community Garden within our adjoining park grounds.”
Charlie Bear’s Nursery use the Forest Childcare Association logo on their website and other marketing materials like this postcard to help to attract new parents to the nursery.
Forest Childcare Facebook Page – join our online community
The Forest Childcare Association has its own Facebook Page. Please like my page and join in our discussions, share your photographs and enjoy the links, stories, crafts and activity ideas, photos and inspirational ideas we share.
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