The Prime Minister confirmed in his announcement on 23 June, that out-of-school holiday provision for children can operate over the summer holidays. This is still not without some restrictions as one would expect. We are putting in reasonable steps to reduce the health and safety risk in the setting by putting protective measures in place. If your child has been given a place over the summer it is imperative that you work with the Academy in ensuring the measures, we are putting in place are met.
Group sizes
We can confirm that the “bubble” size for summer holiday care will be no greater than 15 children on each day with a maximum of 3 members of staff over that day. Parents and carers are encouraged to limit the number of settings their child attends over this period, ideally ensuring their child only attends the same setting consistently.
Infection protection and control
- DO NOT attend the setting if your child, or someone in the household, is displaying coronavirus symptoms. Please keep the academy informed. This should minimise contact with individuals who are unwell.
- Cleaning hands will be carried out more often than usual while in the setting. We ask that parents ensure children wash their hands before they attend in a morning.
- We will be promoting the “catch it, bin it, kill it” approach to ensure good respiratory hygiene.
- Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned more frequently than usual throughout the day.
- We will minimise contact, as much as possible, through consideration of the environment layout.
- As the risk of transmission is considerably lower outdoors, we will use the field and playground for activities as much as possible.
- It is not necessary for separate toilet facilities but we will ensure that only one child is using a toilet at a time and that wipes are used after use.
Attendance over summer
If your child, for whatever reason, is not going to attend then the academy MUST be notified (you will still be charged for the session). We need to consider measures to reduce the extent to which children are mixing with others. As the numbers for attendance do not go over 15 on any one day these children will be classed as a “bubble” so that when they return the groups will remain consistent for future sessions. Times will remain the same for sessions.
Personal Protective Equipment
The Government have advised that PPE is not required beyond what would normally be needed for work. However, as staff will be encouraging social distancing there will be times when staff will wear PPE. These include;
- When dealing with a child’s intimate care needs.
- If a child displays any symptoms of COVID-19 while in the academy
Becoming unwell
As we have stated, if a child is unwell then they should NOT be attending the academy and staff need to be informed. If a child becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell, they will be sent home and advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection.
While the child is waiting for collection, they will be isolated in a ventilated room (headteacher’s office) and supervised by a member of staff wearing PPE.
Confirmed Cases
When a child, young person or staff member develops symptoms compatible with COVID-19 they will be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 7 days and arrange to have a test to see if they have coronavirus. Their fellow household members should self-isolate for 14 days.
Where the child, young person or staff member test negative, they can return to the setting and the fellow household members can end their self-isolation.
If the child, young person or staff member tests negative but is unwell, they should not return to the academy until they have recovered.
Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, NHS Test and Trace will speak directly to those they have been in contact with to offer advice. This advice may be that the rest of the group should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
Parents supporting the academy
- Parents must not attend the academy if they are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus.
- Parents should avoid using public transport to get their child to the setting
- To reduce contact between parents we ask that social distancing is adhered to when dropping of or picking up children. Staff will collect children from the playground and send children out which means that parents will not be required to come into the building.
I hope this information will prove to be useful in easing any concerns you have about your child returning to the academy and we look forward to seeing you back.
Regards
Ms Dawson