Corona Virus/COVID-19
Currently we are preparing to open a number of our clubs as we recognise we are a key childcare setting for families, however this is and will continue to be based on the latest government guidance. In the event of a Holiday Provision Club being advised to close by government advice or by Public Health England due to the Coronavirus, a full refund will be given for the days that we are closed.
Pro-Active take health and safety seriously. In light of the current outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we have put together some information, all of which is based on Public Health England advice.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
Our Holiday Provision Clubs have put stringent measures in place to ensure your children can continue to enjoy their holidays with us in a safe environment. We believe these measures should give parents the comfort and assurances you need to continue booking your children onto our Holiday Provision Clubs. We have adopted the following special measures in response to the Coronavirus outbreak:
· Government advice is to stay alert. We will be adhering to the government guidance for education as of 12th of May 2020. A number of our Holiday Provision Clubs are planning to open for Summer 2020 but with restricted numbers in place in line with recent government guidelines.
· A Point of booking declaration has been added to the website for parents to declare that you, or your child has not been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and if they have, they have self-isolated for 14 days.
· Additional cleaning measures in all clubs to maintain the highest possible standards of hygiene.
· Talks with the children at morning and afternoon registration about hand washing and the importance of using and disposing of tissues. We will have regular hand washing times during the day.
· Children will be organised into ‘bubble’ groups of no more than 15 children, with 2 staff members. They will then remain in their ‘bubble’ and zone for the whole day. Activities are structured so that ‘Bubbles” do not cross over in terms of areas used.
· There will be no mixing of children between activities and between groups. All children will complete a shortened version of every activity to avoid mixing the groups.
· Clubs will have child-friendly reminders to the children about how to thoroughly wash their hands to stay hygienic.
· Every club will have a supply of antibacterial hand-gel and encourage staff and children to use this regularly throughout the day. In the event of not being able to supply antibacterial hand gel, soap will be made accessible to enable children and staff to continue to wash their hands.
· Staff will need to complete a Health Screen Questionnaire declaring if they have been in contact with anyone infected with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
· We will ensure that when parents arrive to drop off or collect their child/children that we maintain the government guidelines on social distancing and ensure there is 2 meters between everyone. No parents will be allowed into the building whilst dropping the children off and collecting and staff will sign the children in and out. The social distancing measures will also be a rule set in line for when children are sitting and playing.
· We will implement agreed drop off and collection times to reduce the number of people in any one area at any given time.
· Any child who develops a high temperature will not be able to stay at the club.
· If a child begins to show symptoms of a cough/fever there will be a designated area where the child can be kept safe and isolated until they are collected.
· PPE will be available for staff to wear if they choose to. This will apply to children too; if they choose to wear gloves or face masks they can.
What we will do if someone develops symptoms during a Holiday Provision Club;
If anyone becomes unwell or develops any symptoms of COVID-19 during the day, in your setting they will be sent home and advised to follow the staying at home guidance.
If a child is awaiting collection, they will be moved, if possible and if appropriate, to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door. We will be mindful of individual children’s needs – for example it would not be appropriate for younger children to be alone without adult supervision. Ideally, a window will be opened for ventilation. If it is not possible to isolate them, we will move them to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people. The member of staff supervising the child will wear PPE and the area will be deep cleaned once the child has been collected.
If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, they will use a separate bathroom if possible. The bathroom will be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.
If they need clinical advice, they (staff member, parent or guardian) should go online to NHS 111 (or call 111 if they don’t have internet access). In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.
If a member of staff has helped someone who was taken unwell COVID-19 symptoms, they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. They should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell and remove and dispose of their PPE.
In most cases, closure of a Holiday Provision Club will not be needed but this will be ours, along with advice from Head Office, decision based on various factors such as establishment size and risk of further spread.
This is a fast-evolving situation and we will monitor and share any new advice at the earliest opportunity.
Whilst we understand that the current situation is causing concern, there is no need for alarm. You do not need to keep your children away from a setting unless they have been to, or have been in contact with someone who has been infected.
Information for the public can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
Public Health England and Department of Health have advised that schools or settings can now open with restricted numbers from the 1st June 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings
If a confirmed case is identified with links to a school or setting, specific advice would be given on a case by case basis and parents and students would be updated appropriately.
There are some practical steps you can take to stop viruses:
Do
· cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
· put used tissues in the bin immediately
· wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
· try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
· Keep 2m distance as per the social distancing guidelines
Don't
· Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all children and staff at our Holiday Clubs across the country is our top priority.