life after lockdown - acre wood

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Looking back from lockdown to date, the pandemic has definitely caused the profession to rethink how they operate their childcare setting. From only being allowed to accept children of key workers and vulnerable children until the wider opening on the 1st June 2020 to the schools going back and the new “norm” of operation from September, communication with parents and carers has been important; offering the reassurance that government guidance was being followed and the Covid risk assessment was in place and put into practice. Given the furlough and job situation, some providers have reassured parents that their child’s place was secure until their working situation became clearer, without cost to them in the intervening time, whereas some parents have not been so fortunate. Offering flexible sessions, to cater for parents working shifts or from home, have been appreciated.

From the outset, child carers have continued to work with bubble groups of children in well-ventilated space and spending as much time as possible outside in the fresh air irrespective of the weather. Children have adapted to washing their hands more than usual but to them, their play has not changed. Messy play is very much a part of their learning and development though now water play always contains soap and sand and play dough are single use only. Dried pasta play is no longer on the agenda lest curious children are tempted to taste it only for their playmates to repeat the exercise. Meals are brought to the children’s base room to avoid mixing in corridors.

The cleaning regime, always a thorough process pre-pandemic, has since evolved to include frequent sterilising of the common hand-touch points in communal areas, handwashing stations at all entrances to the setting and anti-bacterial hand gel at the door of each nursery room. Nurseries have had to embrace the concept of bubbles including the staff “bubbling” themselves. Communal staff rooms have been closed in favour of smaller “bubble spaces”.

Visitors and parents are always going to pose a large risk of bringing Covid to a setting. Visitors, if their visit is essential, must wear a face covering. Parents are asked to drop off and pick up from their designated entrance/exit to the building; social distancing posters and markers are evident at these points. Many settings now have database apps through which parents can be kept updated about their child’s day through photos and commentary. All other general videos, photos and virtual show-arounds have moved to social media, though the majority of settings are still able to offer parents out of hours appointments for viewing.

These new ways of working are keeping babies and children as safe as possible while they continue to learn, develop and socialise.