Return from Covid

We were very pleased to reopen our doors on 1^st June and welcome back pre-school children, following the period of closure, to all but children of key workers.

Following a robust risk assessment, staff briefing and communication with parents and carers, we are very satisfied with how smoothly the reopening process has been, and above all the children have adapted exceptionally well and are enjoying being back at pre-school.

The committee would like to say 'thank you' to our staff for their hard work and positive approach to the challenges and also to parents and carers who have worked with us to adapt to the new routines.

Some of the steps we are taking to keep staff and children safe include:

·       Splitting children  into small cohorts and kept with the same children. There are orange, yellow and blue cohorts, with only two cohorts in pre-school at any one time and the same staff members with each cohort.

·       Cleaning our hands more often than usual. We have developed routines to ensure children understand when and how to wash their hands, making sure they wash them thoroughly for at least 20 seconds using running water and soap and dry them thoroughly, or use alcohol hand rub or sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered.

·       Implementing an enhanced cleaning schedule, ensuring surfaces touched by children and staff are cleaned regularly and throughout the day, including table tops, door handles and plays equipment.

·       Asking parents and carers to physically distance from each other and from staff when dropping off and collecting their children and to limit drop off and collection to one parent or carer per household.

·       Asking children not to bring toys or other items from home to the setting, unless this is essential to their health and well-being.

Covid Closure and Keyworker Children

Key worker children

Further Coronavirus Update

Swanwick Pre-school continue to follow government guidelines and advice in the connection with the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  We are also fully committed to providing regular and clear communication to all parents, carers, guardians and staff at the earliest opportunity in relation to the proposed and continued operations of the group setting.

Yesterday it was confirmed that Swanwick Pre-school is scheduled to close by the end of the day on Friday 20^thMarch 2020, this until further notice.  We reaffirm that regrettably this remains the case.  

We also advised yesterday that the government would require some schools and group settings to remain open for children of ‘key workers’ and for children in vulnerable groups, but would provide further clarifications in due course as to individuals who fall into this classification.  Clarification has been received today by Swanwick Pre-school upon these matters and the group setting will be required to stay open for the following groups of children:

• Children with a named social worker (this means children who are subject to child protection plans, children in need and those in care)
• Children who have an education and health care plan (EHCP)
• Children of key workers.  The government has defined those as teachers, teaching assistants supporting those with EHCP’s, health workers, social care workers (both children’s services and adult services), blue light services and those who provide vital logistical supplies (e.g. delivery drivers).  Consideration will also be given to children of local shop owners who provide vital links to ensuring the continuity of supplies for the local community and those children of school staff
• Please see the revised list for further detailshttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

We would ask parents, carers and guardians who believe they qualify against the criteria as set out above to contact Swanwick Pre-school via e-mail: Swanwick.pre.school@googlemail.com identifying your children(s) name and the specific criteria met that may qualify your child to attend the group setting under the government guidelines.  Alternatively you can communicate any qualifying links direct to the staff / management at the setting if you would prefer this method of communication.

We would encourage you to advise / contact Swanwick Pre-school before 12 noon Friday 20^th March 2020 in order to assist us with planning and preparation, however we do appreciate that this may not be possible in all cases.  The greater the period of notice provided, will assist our staff and management with their preparations in what is a very fluid and challenging period of time.

Swanwick Pre-school continues to take all precautions / preventative measures available in the face of the Coronavirus and would like to extend our thanks for your support.  Finally, should you have any questions during this period we would be happy to assist in tackling your queries, providing clarity wherever possible.

Once again thank you from all at Swanwick Pre-school.