Coronavirus – Information for Parents & Carers

A coronavirus is a type of virus that can affect your lungs and airways. In December 2019, a new strain of coronavirus named COVID-19, transmitted from animals to humans, was identified in Wuhan City, China. The virus is now spreading in several countries around the world including the UK. 

On 5th March COVID-19 was added to the list of notifiable diseases and SARS-COV-2 to the list of notifiable causative agents. All cases must be reported to Public Health England / Health Protection Scotland. 

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the those of other common illnesses such as the cold or flu. Typical ailments include a cough, high temperature and shortness of breath. 

Infections can range from mild to serious, with severe cases leading to pneumonia, respiratory failure, or septic shock. Those most at risk of death are the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. 

As it is a new virus, the exact way in which the virus passes from person to person has not been confirmed yet similar viruses are know to spread from cough droplets. 

The best way in which we can limit the spread of this potentially life-threatening illness and protect ourselves, our children, and everyone around us, is to practice good hygiene. There are a number of things that we can do to stop germs from spreading including: 

• Washing our hands regularly with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser where soap and water are not available.
• Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue or the crook of our elbows, rather than our hands, then binning the tissue and washing hands thoroughly.
• Avoiding touching our faces, especially our eyes, noses and mouths with unwashed hands.
• Avoiding close contact with anyone who is unwell. 

Official information about the coronavirus and the latest advice can be found on the NHS website (nhs.uk) or the UK government’s website (gov.uk)

If you or anyone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill. 

If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

In the interest of protecting yourselves and others do not go to your GP, pharmacy or hospital. 

In order to protect the children and families We provide care for, ourselves , we are keeping up to date with the latest government advice and ensuring that my hygiene and illness policies are strictly adhered to. 

• Ÿ We will help children to wash and dry their hands correctly and regularly talk to them about why it is important to prevent the spread of germs and infection. We display a hand washing poster in the children’s toilets..
• Ÿ Children will be helped to wash their hands on arrival to the setting, after using the toilet, playing outside or touching animals, and before eating any meals or snacks. 
• Ÿ Liquid soap and disposable paper towels are provided in the washroom to enable children, staff and visitors to wash and dry their hands properly. The waste bin is emptied daily.
• Ÿ Tissues are available throughout the setting and we encourage children to use them to catch coughs and sneezes. we teach them the importance of putting dirty tissues in the bin to prevent the spread of germs. 
• Ÿ If you, your child or anyone in your household is displaying symptoms, has recently returned from a place where coronavirus has been identified, or has been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, government advice must be followed. Should this include self-isolation, then your child will not be able to attend my setting for the duration of the isolation period. As per our fees policy, full fees will still apply during this absence. 
• Ÿ If We or anyone else within our nursery display symptoms or come into contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, government advice will be followed. Should this include self-isolation, then We will notify families immediately and close my setting for the duration of the isolation period. As per our fees policy, no fees will be charged during this time as We will be  unable to provide care. In the event of closure, weI will try my best to assist you in finding alternative temporary childcare arrangements.
• Ÿ In the event of local school closures, again official guidance will be followed and my setting will remain open unless otherwise advised. Should you require additional hours of care for your child until schools reopen, please discuss this with me as We may be able to assist so long as We do not exceed our permitted ratios. Additional hours will be charged at the overtime rate as detailed in our contract. 
• Ÿ Should you choose to keep your child at home as a precautionary measure, despite our  service remaining open and available, full fees will be charged. 
• Ÿ Official guidance will be followed at all times regarding any further scenarios that may arise as a result of a coronavirus outbreak.

Failure to follow government advice, official health guidelines, or refusing to support the nursery with the procedures outlined above will be taken very seriously and may result in the immediate termination of our childcare contract. 

We would be very grateful if you can support us in our efforts to help minimise the risk and protect our children and families. 

If you have any questions regarding coronavirus management procedures within our setting, please do not hesitate to discuss them with management