| Focus and area of consideration | Risk identified | Risk level before recommendations and strategies are implemented. | Recommendation and strategies to minimise identified risk | Risk level after recommendations and strategies are implemented |
| Drop off and collection Parents/carers Children Staff | Parent/carer & emergency contact details out of date or not suitable to contact. Children and parents/carers who are displaying symptoms arrive at Nursery. Parents/carers and children arriving by public transport and not following national guidelines. Various family members dropping off and collecting. Children and parents/carers do not social distance when waiting to enter the Nursery. Children and parents/carers do not follow the one way system when arriving and departing from the Nursery. A child arrives upset or distressed and is reluctant to separate from parent/carer. Parent/carer need to pass a message of information to a member of staff. Staff need to pass a message or information to a parent/carer at collection time. Parent/carer is unclear of the new requirements and rules implemented when dropping off and collecting their child. Parents/carer have concerns regarding their child returning to nursery. | Prior to leaving their child at Nursery all parents/carers to confirm contact details and those on their emergency contact list are up to date and correct. Parents/carers will be required to confirm that themselves and those on the emergency contact list are not currently shielding, isolating or classed as vulnerable. Only children who are symptom free or have completed the required isolation period may attend the nursery. On arrival staff will ask if parents/carers, children or any member of the household have any symptoms of COVID-19. If the answer is yes, they will not be allowed to leave their child at the nursery. Parents will be asked to take their child’s temperature before bringing them to Nursery. If they parent cannot take their child’s temperature before arriving then a member of staff will do so before allowing the child to enter. Staff would be required to wear PPE including gloves and mask before taking a child’s temperature. Before being permitted to enter the nursery everybody will be required to use hand sanitiser which will be provided by the nursery. All parents/carers, children and staff coming to the nursery should avoid all non-essential public transport. If using public transport they should follow the national guidelines when doing so. Limit drop off and collection to 1 adult per family at all times. Where possible this should be the same adult each day. Clear markers to be displayed to indicate a 2 metre distance to encourage all children and parents/carers to adhere to socially distancing whilst waiting to drop off and collect their child. Clear signage to be displayed regarding a new one way system. Procedure will also be detailed in a letter sent to all parents before re opening. One staff member to be outside to guide and advise. Parents/carers are not to enter the nursery for the purpose of dropping off or collecting their child. Consideration will be given to allow parents/carers to enter the Nursery for the purpose of settling their child, should their child arrive upset or distressed. All measures will be taken to minimise contact between parents, other children and staff. Ensure all parents/carers are aware of other methods of communication with staff including telephone, email or Facebook messenger and encourage any messages or information be shared via these means before arriving at the Nursery. Should a parent/carer request to speak to a staff member in person they should be encouraged to do so outside of the building and adhere to a 2 metre social distance. In bad weather the buggy shelter could be used as a shelter for the parent/carer and staff member. Staff to wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or they are in close proximity to the parent/carer. Where possible staff to inform/share information with a parent/carer regarding their child before collection time. Methods to do this include telephone, email or Facebook messenger. If it is not possible to do so then a conversation should take place outside of the building at the end of the session between staff and parent/carer and adhere to a 2 metre social distance. In bad weather the buggy shelter could be used as a shelter for the parent/carer and staff member. Staff to wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or they are in close proximity to the parent/carer. All parents/carers to receive a letter outlining the new requirements and rules implemented by Ladybird Pre-School nursery prior to their child returning and in time which allows them to contact the nursery for clarification if required. Letter to also remind parents/carers how to contact us should they wish to discuss any concerns they have regarding their child returning to nursery. | ||
| During the session. Children Staff Parents/carers | Children begin to display symptoms of COVID-19 whilst at Nursery. Cleaning of the area and resources after a child displays COVID-19 symptoms whilst at Nursery. Safe disposal of potentially contaminated waste. | Any child who begins to display symptoms of COVID-19 (continuous cough or a high temperature) will be sent home to isolate per government guidelines. If a child begins to display symptoms of COVID-19, office staff will contact parent/carer to arrange immediate collection of their child. The member of staff caring for the child will take them to meet their parent/carer outside the building.A child waiting to be collected will be moved away from the other children, where possible to another room where a window will be opened or outside if weather permits but at least 2 metres away from the other children. One staff member will remain with the child until they are collected. When in contact with the child, the staff member must wear PPE including disposable gloves, a disposable apron, a fluid-resistant face mask and face visor. Parents/carers must then follow government guidelines regarding self-isolation for whole household and request a COVID-19 test for the child displaying symptoms.If a child tests negative, they can return to Nursery.If a child tests positive, their whole household must self-isolate following the government guidelines regarding self-isolation. Children and staff in the same bubble as the child who tested positive will be sent home to self-isolate following the government guidelines regarding self-isolation. All parents/carers and staff will be informed of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the setting. The area and resources will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected following Public Health guidance to cleaning in non-healthcare settings before being used by anyone else. Staff member responsible for cleaning the area must wear disposable gloves and disposable apron which must be discarded following the same procedure for potentially contaminated waste. Waste from possible cases including the PPE worn should be double bagged and put in the black lidded bin stored in the locked shed . Waste will be labelled, dated and marked for storage until: The individual tests negative; waste then can be put in with the normal waste Or The individual tests positive or results not known; then store for at least 72 hours and put in the normal waste. Staff member who cared for the child must wash their hands in soap and water for 20 seconds, both before and after cleaning. | ||
| During the session Children Staff | Children and staff coming into contact with and mixing with other children and staff | To minimise contact and mixing, ‘Bubbles’ of children containing a maximum of 10 children will be created. Each ‘bubble’ will have a minimum of 2 members of staff and will always meet the ratio requirements as outlined in the EYFS. Two entrances/exits will be created at the Nursery so each ‘bubble’ has its own entrance and exit.Each ‘bubble’ will have their own indoor and outdoor space.Each ‘bubble’ will eat their snacks and lunches in their own indoor or outdoor space. Children will be responsible for putting their own rubbish in the bin or alternatively it will be placed back in their lunch bag to be disposed of at homeEach ‘bubble’ will have an allocated toilet and handbasin. Each ‘bubble’ will access the toilet facilities through a different entrance/exit. Children will be assisted by a member of staff from the same ‘bubble’ whilst using the toilet.Each ‘bubble’ will have their own resources.Each ‘bubble’ will have access to their own handwashing facilities.Intimate care i.e. nappy changing will be carried out by a member of staff from the same ‘bubble’. Regular PPE should be worn by the staff member as outlined in Ladybird Pre School Nursery Intimate Care Policy | ||
| Cleaning and personal hygiene during the session Children Staff | Staff and children not washing their hands regularly or thoroughly enough. Running out of supplies. Children not having sufficient nappy changing supplies and changes of clothes. Children toilet area being used by both ‘bubbles’ and Staff toilet being used by all members of staff. Food and drink preparation. Adequate cleaning of kitchen utensils. Resources being used by other children in the same ‘bubble’. Resources not being able to be cleaned properly. Children coming into contact with cleaning products. | All staff to wash hands for 20 seconds using soap and water after using the toilet or changing a nappy, before and after handling food, before and after eating, blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, administrating first aid and before they leave the Nursery at the end of the day. Regular handwashing in addition to this as required.Staff to assist children in their ‘bubble’ to wash their hands for 20 seconds using soap and water after using the toilet, before and after eating, blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing and before they leave the Nursery. Regular handwashing in addition to this as required. Staff to ensure that each ‘bubble’ has adequate soap, paper towels, hand sanitiser and tissues available. Staff to inform the office staff when supplies are low to ensure an order is placed in time to avoid running out. Inform all parents/carers that it is their responsibility to provide changes of clothes for their child. This is to avoid sharing clothes between nursery and home. Children will require their change of clothes to be supplied in a named bag and each child will have their own allocated peg where their bag will be stored. Inform parents/carers that it is their responsibility to ensure there is sufficient changing supplies i.e. nappies and wipes. This is to avoid sharing changing supplies between nursery and home. Children will require their changing supplies to be supplied in a named bag and each child will have their own allocated peg where their bag will be stored. One member of staff to be responsible for thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the toilets, hand basins and baby changing area after each use. Using a disposable cloth, first clean hard surfaces with warm soapy water, then disinfect using a diluted household detergent following manufacturer’s instructions for dilution. Staff member to inform office staff when supplies are low to ensure an order is placed in time to avoid running out. One member of staff to be responsible for all food and drink preparation and ensure the kitchen is cleaned after each use. Using a disposable cloth, first clean hard surfaces with warm soapy water, then disinfect using a diluted household detergent following manufacturer’s instructions for dilution Dishwasher to be used on the hottest temperature to ensure adequate and thorough cleaning of kitchen utensils Staff to ensure regular cleaning of resources and touch points throughout the day. Wipeable surfaces; using a disposable cloth, first clean with warm soapy water, then disinfect using a diluted household detergent following manufacturer’s instructions for dilution. Books will be changed for each ‘bubble’ at lunch time and then stored for a minimum of 72 hours before being accessible again. Natural surfaces; sprayed or washed in a bowl of diluted household detergent following manufacturer’s instructions for dilution. Allowed to air dry. Staff to remove all soft furnishings that cannot be safely and thoroughly laundered overnight. Staff to reduce the quantity of resources available at any one time and reduce resource rotation. Store cleaning products away from children and remove children from areas whilst cleaning takes place. | ||
| Cleaning at the end of the day Staff | Thorough and correct cleaning of resources and setting following guidelines issued by Public Health England. | Staff to be issued with the link to Public Health England Document ‘Guidance COVID-19: cleaning in non-healthcare settings’. Staff to read the document and be familiar with its content.Staff responsible for cleaning the resources and internal space used by their ‘bubble’ of children at the end of each day. Particular attention paid to frequently touched areas and surfaces.One member of staff to be responsible for the cleaning of the toilets, hand basin, baby changing area and staff toilet at the end of each day.One member of staff to be responsible for cleaning the kitchen and ensuring the dishwasher is emptied and the laundry has been done, including any soft furnishings that can be safely laundered ready for the next day.All areas to be cleaned following guidelines; using a disposable cloth, first clean hard surfaces with warm soapy water , then disinfect the surface with disinfect using a diluted household detergent following manufacturer’s instructions for dilutionGloves and aprons to be worn by staff whilst cleaning.Separate mops to be used in both indoor ‘bubble’ areas and left in a diluted bleach solution overnight. Staff to be responsible for emptying the diluted bleach solution out of the mop buckets each morning before the children arrive. Mops to be stored in their usual way. | ||
| Visitors to the nursery Visitors include but are not exclusive to; Prospective parents Committee members Trustees Outside agencies providing a vital service Early year professionals Ofsted Social workers Police | Visitors visiting the nursery during the day when children are present and visitors visiting the nursery out of hours. | All visitors must have an appointment to visit the nursery.Any visitor that arrives without an appointment will be offered a mutually convenient time outside of the nursery opening hours to visit the nursery.Only in exceptional circumstances will visitors be allowed into the nursery during opening hours and when children are present. Exceptional circumstances will be decided at the discretion of the nursery manager and guided by this risk assessment and epidemic/pandemic policy. All visitors to sign in and out of the nursery. Anybody visiting the nursery during opening hours and when children are present will be required to socially distance and face masks must be worn by both the visitor and the staff member with them. All visitors will be accompanied by a member of staff at all times.A thorough clean of the area visited will completed after the visitor has left. | ||
| Children’s wellbeing and education | Children not arriving at nursery with the necessary supplies and equipment. Children arriving without having sun cream applied. Children bringing ‘comforter’s’ from home. Children needing more comfort. Children unsettled by the unnatural environment from what they are familiar with at nursery Children not being fully prepared to transition to Primary School in September 2020. | Parents to receive a letter clearly outlining the supplies and equipment they are required to provide for their child each day. Parents will be encouraged to apply a 12 hour sun cream to their child before arriving at nursery, this is to avoid re-application during the day and unnecessary close contact between staff and children. A long sleeved cotton top and sunhat will also be requested to help protect their child from the sun when outside. Parents to discourage bringing an item from home as a comforter to nursery. If and when absolutely necessary we will request that it is an item that can be safely and thoroughly cleaned on arrival at the nursery. Staff to be mindful of the emotional wellbeing of the children in their care and be aware of the children’s attachments and their need for emotional support at this time. Staff to positive role model and approach all unfamiliar situations in a positive way providing reassurance to the children in their care. EYFS framework learning and development requirements will continue to be delivered across all 7 areas of learning. Staff will continue to provide an inviting environment for the children encouraging curiosity, excitement and engagement. Staff to work closely with feeder schools and reception teachers to support transition. Zoom meetings to be held between nursery staff and reception teachers to discuss children individually.Ladybird Pre School Nursery to share any information on transition that is received from feeder primary schools with the parents.Staff to complete Norfolk County Council Transition Reports for their key children. | ||
| Workforce Staff | Staff members who are displaying symptoms arrive and enter the nursery Staff member begins to display symptoms of COVID-19 whilst at Nursery. Cleaning of the area after a staff member displays COVID-19 symptoms whilst at the nursery. Safe disposal of potentially contaminated waste Staff members arriving by public transport and not following national guidelines. Staff do not social distance or wear a face mask when necessary. Staff do not have the required level of knowledge of COVID-19 and how to recognise symptoms. Staff do not have the required level of knowledge on how to currently put on and take off PPE equipment. Staff require additional professional and personal support due to the impact of COVID-19. Staff not familiar with the content of Ladybird Pre School Nursery’s Epidemic and Pandemic Policy Staff not familiar with all the measures put in place to minimise risks. Staff are not familiar with latest Government Guidelines and Legislation. | Only staff who are symptom free or have completed the required isolation period may attend the nursery. On arrival it is reasonable to ask if a staff member or any member of the household have any symptoms of COVID-19. If the answer is yes, they should not be allowed to attend the nursery. Before being permitted to enter the nursery everybody will be required to use hand sanitiser which will be provided by the nursery. Any staff member who begins to display symptoms of COVID-19 (continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) will be required to return home immediately to self-isolate per government guidelines. If it is felt that the staff member requires assistance to return home their emergency contact will be contacted and the staff member with symptoms will be asked to wait outside of the building.Staff member should request a COVID-19 test.If a staff member tests negative, they can return to Nursery.If a staff member tests positive, their whole household must self-isolate following the government guidelines regarding self-isolation. Staff and children in the same bubble as the staff member who tested positive will be sent home to self-isolate following the government guidelines regarding self-isolation. All parents/carers and staff will be informed on any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the setting. The area and resources will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected following Public Health guidance to cleaning in non-healthcare settings before being used by anyone else. Staff member responsible for cleaning the area must wear disposable gloves and disposable apron which must be discarded following the same procedure for potentially contaminated waste. Waste from possible cases including the PPE worn should be double bagged and put in the black lidded bin stored in the locked shed. Waste will be labelled, dated and marked for storage until: The individual tests negative; waste then can be put in with the normal waste Or The individual tests positive or results not known; then store for at least 72 hours and put in the normal waste. Staff member who is responsible for cleaning the area and removing rubbish must wash their hands in soap and water for 20 seconds, both before and after cleaning. All staff coming to the nursery should avoid all non-essential public transport. If using public transport staff should follow the national guidelines when doing so. Staff to adhere to social distancing rules when speaking to parents and to staff members from a different ‘bubble’. Staff to wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or they are in close proximity inside of the building. All staff to complete online ‘Prevent COVID-19’ training. All staff to be issued with Public Health England – Guide to donning and doffing standard PPE All staff to receive a letter from the Trustees outlining how staff members can contact the Trustees to seek additional support. All staff to be supported by the nursery manager and their work colleagues throughout the working day.Conversations will be held regularly between the manager and staff to discuss staff’s wellbeing and if appropriate a wellbeing questionnaire will be available for staff to complete. All staff to be issued with a copy of the Policy. Staff will be required to sign to confirm they have read and understood the contents of the policy. All staff to be issued with a copy of this Risk Assessment. Staff will be required to sign to confirm they have read and understood the contents of this Risk Assessment. All staff to be sent links to all the documents used to form and support this Risk Assessment and Ladybird Pre-School Nursery’s Epidemic and Pandemic Policy. |
Guidance Documents used to develop and support this risk assessment.
Public Health England – COVID-19: cleaning in non-healthcare settings
Department of Education – Planning guide for early years and childcare settings
Government Guidelines – COVID-19: implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings
Government Guidelines – Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including the use of PPE
Government Guidelines – Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
EYFS Statutory Framework – (published 31st March 2014 Last updated 24th April 2020)
