zigzag

Thoughts are with you and your Mum Cait.

We wear polo shirts with our logo and I have little half apron things with a pocket for pens and post it’s, sometimes we wear them sometimes we don’t! I just wanted a temporary covering to stop the risk of bleach stain. In retrospect I think the disposable plastic aprons will be the way to go!

Thank you so much. Xxx

🤣🤣You should do stand up comedy!😉

Anyone know where I can get some jazzy tabards from? One day in and my work polo top already has a bleach stain on it!

Just wanted to add that we reopened this week and it was my first day back today. I was dead set against opening with just three children but I have to say that they are very happy and don’t seem phased by it at all. It’s also a good learning curve for September. (Quite concerned how we are going to operate on full numbers in September and keep up with the cleaning)

Well it’s been a hellish two weeks for me. My darling Dad was rushed to hospital (not Covid related) and it’s literally been a rollercoaster everyday since. We were first told there was no hope, then told he was improving then told they were removing all treatment and we were called in four times for end of life visits. But I am delighted that today he actually managed to sit in the chair for an hour and ate some lunch. Despite being 89 and very seriously ill he still has the most amazing fight and stubborn streak in him! I am almost scared to say that we now see some light at the end of the tunnel. Although the end of life visits were traumatic we were lucky to see him. Now of course we are not allowed to visit which is hard on us but so very hard for him. Makes me so very, very cross when I see the beaches and the football celebrations with all those irresponsible people congregating together, what on earth are they thinking!

Water play seems to have turned into a really contentious subject.! I am following a post about it on FB and people have very strong opinions about using or not using it. Personally I am going to have it but I only have three children. They will wash hands before and after and I will use a little soap in the water as well. Like normal to make it bubbly. I think that playing with other toys poses more of a threat but that is my opinion. As long as you risk asses it and monitor how it’s going. We all know our own groups and what is right for some is not right for others. Go with your own heart and decision.

Oh my goodness, so glad it’s not just me with these feelings! Thank you all for the reassurance. 🙂

It’s amazing isn’t it. I have become like this even when just going to collect my click and collect shop. So full of anxiety it was ridiculous. So many weeks of not going anywhere other than walking the dog have actually been my idea of heaven! But the nearer I get to going back to school and the wider world reopening my anxiety levels are sky rocketing. I need to get a grip on it as it’s not good or pleasant. Take care Sunnyday

Well yes it is BUT everyday during lock down I have felt blessed to live where we live, the most beautiful beaches and countryside on our doorstep all within walking distance. Not a day has gone by when we haven’t felt gratitude at how lucky we are and thought about people in cities with no outdoor space. So I understand why people want to come here, it’s just concerning how many are here already without some of the restrictions being lifted, it’s quite scary thinking ahead to the summer!

It really does not surprise me, we have seen such an increase of visitors during the last few weeks it’s quite intimidating. God knows where they are staying as holiday let’s, campsites and b&bs are meant to be closed. It really is a huge concern. One of my Dads is a community responder and has been warned by the south west ambulance trust that the worst Is yet to come and is a few weeks away for us.

Yes I know just what you mean, very glad of the reprieve but not at the cost of a child having an accident. Yes they are her children!

Just might have a two week reprieve before re-opening. The third child returning has had an accident that will require her to be away for a time, (I have suggested two weeks) So hoping not to open on Monday for the two siblings!

Is anyone else actually beginning to despise the word bubble!! I haven’t even had to start thinking about bubbles just yet as haven’t got enough to fill one bubble but I know come September I am going to be bubbled out!

Lucky you Sunnyday. Have had a very emotive day with my committee today, despite only one of the committee sending their child back to pre-school or school they have voted 6-3 for reopening. I’m afraid I couldn’t keep quiet and told them what I thought of them making me open against my will whilst they are not prepared to send their children in! After much conflict/discussion I will be reopening on Monday for three children.

Oh gosh it’s such a dilemma. As you know I only have three who want to come back two siblings aged 4 and 2 and a 3 year old. The mix of these is not good, none of them will have their peers with them and a know for a fact that the 4 year old will hate it without his friends. I am still fighting in discussion with the committee about not opening as it is not in the best interests of all concerned. However the siblings Mum is the chairperson!!🤨 My heart says it’s just not worth reopening for these three, the benefits do not outweigh the risks.

Just wanted to say hope all goes well for everyone welcoming more children or reopening tomorrow. I know there are so many anxious providers out there who just want to do their best for the children in these extraordinary times and I am sure we will all find a way to do so. We are not back until the 8th so will be interested to hear how people find working this way over the next week. To the providers that have stayed open for all this time, I have nothing but respect for you all. 🥰

Brilliant news for Mr S. xxxx

Totally the right decision. I was meant to have four new starters this term and am now not starting them until September (hopefully)

We have a really big outdoor sandpit and I intend to use it. I am buying a pressure sprayer and going to spray the sand with diluted Milton at the end of session. It helps we are only having three children back. I seem to remember when I worked in the day Nursery (all those years ago) that we used to pop a detox mixture in the sand to clean it.

No you are not being petty at all. It really drives me insane.

Dear member, You will be aware that the government has announced that it is asking childcare settings in England to welcome back children below statutory school age as of 1 June, subject to scientific advice at the time. A number of our members have contacted us to ask if they will continued to be covered by their insurance policy if they open as of this date. We can confirm that if you hold an insurance policy with RSA via the Early Years Alliance underwriting scheme at Cover Levels 1, 2, 4a, 4, 5, 6b, 8, 9, 10a or 10b, your policy will be active in relation to the provision of childcare. The usual policy terms and conditions will apply. Important considerations for re-opening on 1 June 2020 You must assess whether it is safe to open your setting. If so, you should comply with all Ofsted registration requirements, have risk assessments in place and adhere to all government guidelines, including those recently issued on effective infection protection and control and shielding. You should keep checking that the children and staff members are not demonstrating any symptoms of Covid-19 and continue to review the situation in light of any additional information released by the Government, whilst updating risk assessments. RSA is not in a position to advise you as to whether you should re-open your specific setting premises. More information on the implementation of protective measures for providers considering re-opening from June is available in the new Department for Education guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings. Other important information can be found here: • Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak • Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020 • Opening schools for more children and young people: initial planning framework for schools in England Children and staff with medical conditions There are two categories of medical conditions where people with those conditions are at higher risk of becoming serious ill with Covid-19: these categories are clinically extremely vulnerable (i.e. high risk) and clinically vulnerable (i.e. moderate risk). Information on who is classed as clinically extremely vulnerable and who is classed as clinically vulnerable is available here. All Alliance member policyholders providing childcare should follow Government and NHS guidelines with regard to assessing underlying health conditions of a) the children in their care and b) staff working in their setting environment. The new government guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings states that staff and children with who are clinically extremely vulnerable should not be working in or attending your setting. If the children attending or staff working within your setting premises have medical conditions that are not included on the clinically extremely vulnerable list (including children and staff who are clinically vulnerable (i.e. moderate risk), then reasonable precautions should be taken to decide whether the child can attend the setting whilst receiving adequate care or the staff member can continue to work in the setting environment, without compromising their underlying health conditions. Please note that, in light of the new government guidance, the above also applies to policyholders who are currently open to key worker and vulnerable children (and in the case of childminders who are open to children from a single household). We hope that this additional information is helpful. Please rest assured we are here to support you through these difficult times. If you would like to discuss your insurance policy more specifically with us, please call the Alliance insurance on 020 7697 2585. Our phone lines continue to be exceptionally busy at this challenging time so please do continue to bear with us. Thanks again for your ongoing support and understanding. With kind regards, The Alliance Insurance Team Read our privacy policy here. Early Years Alliance National Centre 50 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8RT You are receiving this email because you have signed up as a member of the Early Years Alliance. Preferences | Unsubscribe

Hi there and welcome to the forum. Have you looked at the other posts in the Covid 19 thread? There are lots of helpful discussions going on, risk assessments and ideas and advice. Well worth looking and catching up on each thread. The photo of the diary sheet uploaded to Tapestry sounds like a good idea as long as it is not a really long task for you to complete. Not sure how many children you would be doing it for. With regards to cleaning toys. I will restrict the amount of toys available at any one time and have a rotation system in place. At the end of a session the toys will be soaked in Milton for 30 minutes, then air dried and returned back to the box. Toys that need cleaning in session will be anti-backed and wiped. Our outdoor toys such as bikes and slides will be cleaned (by children) with warm soapy water and then at the end of session with a diluted bleach solution then left to air dry. 😀😀

Dear member, You will be aware that the government has announced that it is asking childcare settings in England to welcome back children below statutory school age as of 1 June, subject to scientific advice at the time. A number of our members have contacted us to ask if they will continued to be covered by their insurance policy if they open as of this date. We can confirm that if you hold an insurance policy with RSA via the Early Years Alliance underwriting scheme at Cover Levels 1, 2, 4a, 4, 5, 6b, 8, 9, 10a or 10b, your policy will be active in relation to the provision of childcare. The usual policy terms and conditions will apply. Important considerations for re-opening on 1 June 2020 You must assess whether it is safe to open your setting. If so, you should comply with all Ofsted registration requirements, have risk assessments in place and adhere to all government guidelines, including those recently issued on effective infection protection and control and shielding. You should keep checking that the children and staff members are not demonstrating any symptoms of Covid-19 and continue to review the situation in light of any additional information released by the Government, whilst updating risk assessments. RSA is not in a position to advise you as to whether you should re-open your specific setting premises. More information on the implementation of protective measures for providers considering re-opening from June is available in the new Department for Education guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings. Other important information can be found here: • Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak • Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020 • Opening schools for more children and young people: initial planning framework for schools in England Children and staff with medical conditions There are two categories of medical conditions where people with those conditions are at higher risk of becoming serious ill with Covid-19: these categories are clinically extremely vulnerable (i.e. high risk) and clinically vulnerable (i.e. moderate risk). Information on who is classed as clinically extremely vulnerable and who is classed as clinically vulnerable is available here. All Alliance member policyholders providing childcare should follow Government and NHS guidelines with regard to assessing underlying health conditions of a) the children in their care and b) staff working in their setting environment. The new government guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings states that staff and children with who are clinically extremely vulnerable should not be working in or attending your setting. If the children attending or staff working within your setting premises have medical conditions that are not included on the clinically extremely vulnerable list (including children and staff who are clinically vulnerable (i.e. moderate risk), then reasonable precautions should be taken to decide whether the child can attend the setting whilst receiving adequate care or the staff member can continue to work in the setting environment, without compromising their underlying health conditions. Please note that, in light of the new government guidance, the above also applies to policyholders who are currently open to key worker and vulnerable children (and in the case of childminders who are open to children from a single household). We hope that this additional information is helpful. Please rest assured we are here to support you through these difficult times. If you would like to discuss your insurance policy more specifically with us, please call the Alliance insurance on 020 7697 2585. Our phone lines continue to be exceptionally busy at this challenging time so please do continue to bear with us. Thanks again for your ongoing support and understanding. With kind regards, The Alliance Insurance Team Read our privacy policy here. Early Years Alliance National Centre 50 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8RT You are receiving this email because you have signed up as a member of the Early Years Alliance. Preferences | Unsubscribe