Hummingbirds Montessori 

Covid 19 policy 

This policy applies from 1st June 2020

  

About Covid 19:  

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COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus,  and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019- nCoV.’ The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute  Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.  

  

Symptoms: 

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The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following: 

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• a new continuous cough 

• a high temperature 

• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) 

 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. 

 

Children are likely to become infected with coronavirus (COVID-19) at roughly the same rate as  adults, but the infection is usually mild. If anyone has any of the symptoms above they should self-isolate at home for 14 days. 

 

Basic principles:

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• Caregivers should alert the school and health care authorities if someone in their home has been  diagnosed with COVID-19 and keep their child at home.  

• No one with symptoms should attend the setting for any reason.  

 

Following basic principles can help keep students, teachers, and staff safe at school and help  stop the spread of this disease. 

We follow the government, Department for Education and the local authority guideline for the  recording, control and reporting of Covid19. 

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Ensure safe school operations from 1st June 2020: 

We will ensure, as much as possible, social distancing measures are in place and adhered to keep  children, parents and teachers safe by applying the following course of action:

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• Only 1 parent to drop off and pick up.

• We kindly ask parents to adhere to  your allocated drop off and pick up times according to your child’s age.  This will enforce staggered drop offs  and pick ups and will protect your  children and yourself by allowing  social distancing. 

• Please drop off and pick up from the  allocated entrance/exit from where a  teacher will accompany your child to  the classroom or hand over at the  end of the session.

• Parents are encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines at the school door and  avoid entering the building. 

• Changing shoes and coats: 
  At arrival: Children will be greeted by the teacher on duty at the door. They will then be directed to the covered outside area where children will find a designated mat to change independently or with the help of  another teacher.  Once ready, the children will enter the building and put their coats and lunch boxes (if applicable) away.  

       When leaving:  The same procedure will apply for children leaving before lunch and  after school clubs. Children will tak

        all their belongings  outside and will change to their outdoor shoes in their designated  area. Children will be called by the              teacher at the door and will be handed over  to their parents as soon as they arrive for collection. 

• Social distancing measures • Children will be encouraged to use  different areas of the classroom where possible. Outdoor learning will take place to  the greatest degree as this can limit  transmission and more easily allow for distance between children and teachers. Circle time will take place outdoors as frequently as we can. When indoors, we will provide a free  flow system so that children can  access both learning environments. Teachers will have a rota system to  be on duty in the garden at all times. Only 4 children at the snack and  lunch table at one time 

• Promote and demonstrate regular hand  washing and positive hygiene behaviours and  monitor their uptake. Children will be invited to wash their  hands with hands sanitizer before  entering the school and before leaving the premises at the end of  the day. We will ensure soap and safe water is  available at all times. We will encourage frequent and  thorough washing (at least 20 seconds) throughout the day. We will implement targeted health  education ensuring content is age,  gender, ethnicity, and disability  responsive. Learning sessions will include lessons  on good hygiene, what germs are  and how to stop them spreading. 

• Hygiene measures: School building • Clean and disinfect school buildings using disposable cloths and household detergents, according to current recommended workplace legislation and practice . This includes door and window handles, all surfaces, material, tables and chairs  plus outdoor equipment. Increase air flow and ventilation when weather allows by opening the garden door and allowing a free flow system. Ensure trash is removed daily and disposed of safely. Post signs encouraging good hand  and respiratory hygiene practices. Ensure toilets are cleaned regularly • Hand towels will be replaced by paper towels Ensure toilet bins are removed daily  and disposed of safely 

  

If someone becomes unwell at the setting:  

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If anyone in the setting becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or  has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste of smell (anosmia), they must be sent  home. Please be advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection guidance. 

If a child is unwell the setting will follow the following procedure according to government  guidelines:  

1. Call the parents of the child presenting symptoms. If parents are unavailable, we will keep  calling until we reach one of the parents. Emergency contacts will not be reached to avoid  the risk of transmission of the virus and to avoid giving the child to grandparents who  are at greater risk.  

2.  If a child is awaiting collection, they will be moved, if possible, to the music room where  they can be isolated behind a closed door, with appropriate adult supervision and  ventilation.  

3. According to government guidelines, PPE should be worn by the teacher caring for the  child while they await collection. 

4. In an emergency, we will call 999 if the child is seriously ill or injured or their life is at  risk.  

5. The teacher who has helped the child or another member of staff with symptoms, does not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves (and in which case, a  test is available) or the child subsequently tests positive.  

6. The teacher should wash her hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with  someone who is unwell. The music room and the classroom will be cleaned using  disposable cloths and household detergents -according to current recommended  workplace legislation and practice- after someone with symptoms has left. 

7. Children will be kept in the garden while door and window handles, surfaces, material,  tables, chairs and toilets are being cleaned.  

8. Parents will be notified if a child or teacher has developed symptoms compatible with  coronavirus without revealing the identity of the child/teacher. As long as the  child/teacher has not tested positive, the setting will continue as normal. 

9. Parents will have access to a test if their own child displays symptoms of the virus. To  access testing, parents will be able to call 111 if their child is aged under 5 or use the  111 online coronavirus service if their child is 5 or over. Testing is also available to all  essential workers as teachers through the gov.uk portal: https://www.gov.uk/apply 

coronavirus-test-essential-workers 

10. If the child or teacher with symptoms test negative, they can return to the setting and  their fellow household members can end their 14 days self-isolation. 

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If there is a confirmed case of coronavirus in the setting: 

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If anyone in the setting tests positive to coronavirus, we will follow the following procedure:  

1. parents will be notified immediately without revealing the identity of the child/teacher. 

2. The rest of the group will be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.  

3. We will notify our local Public Health England health protection team on 0344  326 2052 

4. We will conduct a risk assessment with help from one of PHE’s health protection  teams.  

5. As part of the national test and trace programme, if other cases are detected  within the cohort ,Public Health England’s local health protection teams will  conduct a rapid investigation and will advise us on the most appropriate action  to take. We will notify parents of this outcome via email. 

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Where settings are observing guidance on infection prevention and control, which  will reduce risk of transmission, closure of the whole setting will not generally be  necessary.