Welcome back: Covid-19 information to keep us all safe!

Now that lockdown measures have been eased, we are delighted to have opened our doors again this week for a small group of Little Lodgers and staff. We are so proud of our Little Lodgers and how well they’ve settled back in – we were expecting lots of tears and resettling but it’s been quite the opposite!

Each and every one has brought the smiles and laughter with them that we’ve missed so much. If you follow us on Instagram you will have seen our posts. It’s been so lovely to see them together again after being away for so long.

We’re looking forward to welcoming back yet more Little Lodgers and staff in July, and we really can’t wait! From July 1st we will return to full days from 7.30am – 6.00pm.

As you can imagine we’re very keen to get back to ‘normal’. However, for a while at least, we are required to put certain systems in place to protect all the Little Lodgers and staff in our care. We’ve outlined our plans below so we can work together to ensure the transition from home to nursery is as stress-free as possible.

Drop off and pick up

As you may be aware, we have more than one entrance and will be using two from July until further notice.

• From 1st July we would like to ask that all parents of Under 2s use the main entrance, and all Over 2s please use the wooden gate entrance – the first entrance on the left as you come into the driveway. If you have more than one child and they attend both rooms please drop both children off at the main door.
• Where possible, we would like to ask for the same parent or carer to drop off and collect your child, as this minimises unnecessary contact.`

• We kindly ask all parents to keep a safe minimum distance of 2 metres apart whilst waiting for your child to be brought to you or handing them over to their Group Lead or Key Worker. Please do not stand and chat (especially if your car is in the driveway!) or allow your children to run around outside as this is a hazard!

Environment

The building underwent an intensive, deep clean with four cleaners in masks and protective clothing over a 16-hour period while we were closed. Since then, our cleaners have returned daily and our staff sterilise toys, equipment and surfaces at regularly designated times throughout the day. We have removed any soft furnishings and toys that cannot be sterilised daily. Unfortunately, we cannot allow children to bring in toys or comforters from home unless absolutely necessary.

We are obliged to point out that we can’t guarantee The Lodge will stay Covid-free (much the same as your local supermarket). However, we will do all that we can to ensure it does.

Hand-washing will remain a high priority and one that we’ll ensure becomes a regular and fun habit!

Windows will remain open throughout the day ensuring good ventilation. We plan to spend most of our day having fun and running around outside.

Covid 19

We ask for your support should you, your child or a family member become ill with symptoms or be suspected of having Covid-19. If this does occur we kindly ask you NOT to bring your child to nursery and follow government guidelines.

If your child or a member of your family displays any of the following symptoms they should stay home. If your child becomes ill displaying symptoms below, you will be called to collect them and we will follow the advice from Public Health England.

* High temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

* New, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

* Staying at home if you have symptoms (self-isolation)

If your symptoms are mild you must not leave your home. This is called self-isolation. Anyone with symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days from when their symptoms started.

* Anyone who does not have symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days from when the first person in your home started having symptoms.

Read more about when to self-isolate and what to do:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/what-to-do-if-you-or-someone-you-live-with-has-coronavirus-symptoms/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

It is essential we work together to keep The Lodge as safe as possible and we really appreciate your support with this. We are so looking forward to welcoming everyone back to The Lodge. Until then, stay safe and well!