Coronavirus - COVID-19
Coronavirus information for childminders
Free COVID-19 risk assessment pack
Before you reopen you must ensure everyone remains safe in your setting. This FREE resource pack contains COVID-19 risk assessment and parental agreement forms.
We aim to keep this webpage updated as more information is made available by the Government
March 30th - CORONAVIRUS - Living with Covid-19 from 1st April 2022
Please find below some of the main points from the Government's new plan for living with Covid, effective from 1st April 2022 when free testing for the general public will end.
-
From 1 April, anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result will be advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days, which is when they are most infectious.
-
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
-
People with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and a high temperature or who feel unwell, are advised to try stay at home and avoid contact with other people, until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature.
-
Advice will be provided for individuals who need to leave their home when they have symptoms or have tested positive, including avoiding close contact with people with a weakened immune system, wearing a face-covering and avoiding crowded places.
Please click here
February 24th
The government has today published new guidance entitled 'COVID-19: People with Covid-19 and their contacts'. This new guidance is effective immediately and provides details of what you, and any close contacts should do in case of testing positive for Covid-19.
The following documents have now been updated and will direct you to this new guidance on matters relating to self isolation and close contact.
- Actions for Early Years and Childcare providers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
- Additional Actions for Childminders during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Whilst there is no longer a requirement to report Covid-19 cases to Ofsted or carry out Covid-19 testing, the DfE still have guidance in place that Childminders should not operate if someone in their household has a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19.
February 22nd.
The Prime Minister has announced the plans to end all COVID restrictions and to 'start living with COVID'.
From Monday 21st. February
You no longer need to inform Ofsted of any positive cases in your setting
You no longer need to take lateral flow tests twice weekly
From Thursday 24th February
All restrictions will be lifted including the requirement to isolate if you test positive- although there is a recommendation that you do so.
Self isolation support payments will end- although the Statutory Sick Pay will still be available for any assistants until March 24th.
Routine contact tracing ends and those who have been in close contact with a positive person no longer need to test each day for 7 days.
Those not fully vaccinated no longer need to isolate if they have been in close contact with a postive person.
From Friday 1st April
There is a change to replace government advice to stay at home following a positive Covid-19 test with the expectation that people will 'exercise personal responsibility'.
The access to free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public ends. However, free symptomatic testing to the oldest age groups and those most vulnerable to Covid will continue. It is expected that tests will be available to purchase.
You can see the full statement here. The Actions for Early Years guidance is yet to be updated and we will let you know when this is done.
February 21st
The Department for Education has announced that from today- Monday 21 February, you are no longer required to notify Ofsted of cases of Covid-19 within your setting. This applies regardless of whether the positive case is a child who attends the setting or a staff or family member.
You also do not have to submit notifications for any cases that have happened in the last 14 days.
It remains a legal requirement under the (EYFS) statutory framework to report cases of serious illness. You should notify Ofsted as soon as practical, and in any case within 14 days of a notifiable event happening, using Ofsted's online form.
You can read their news item about this change here
Handwashing
It is recommended that we wash our hands using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star once.
This video shows the correct way of washing hands
Public Health England have produced a range of posters and other information. You need to sign up to use, but it is a quick easy process and this means you will be kept informed if other resources are made avaialble too.
Tom Fletcher who is a member of the McFly band and well loved children's author has produced this video to visually show children the importance of washing hands
Protecting Childrens skin
Some children are developing red and sore hands from washing their hands more frequently, as water removes natural oils from the skin. The best way to alleviate this is to provide simple moisturising cream such as E45 to use after handwashing. It is advisable to gain parents written permission for this or to ask parents to provide a moisturising cream of their choice and give written permission for its use.
Explaining Coronavirus to children
This video explains Coronavirus in a fun way aimed at not causing alarm
This graphic is a child friendly way of explaining the virus to children
Public Health England has some 'fun e-Bug teaching resources' including Horrid Hands and Super Sneezes
Childline has produced information for children who may be concerned about the virus and what they hear on the news. It includes suggestions of what children can do if they are worried.
Animation & Story Book Explaining the Coronavirus to Children
FREE online training
Some companies are offering FREE online courses to support providers. We will aim to add to this list as we hear of others
Wellbeing during the coronavirus
FREE resources
Some companies are offering FREE temporary subscriptions to their learning resources for parents, teachers, carers to help keep children engaged in learning during any self-isolation or setting or school closure. Other companies are making us aware of FREE resources they offer that may be useful at this time too. We will aim to add to this list as we hear of any more.
Teachers, parents and carers, some free resources to help you with home learning are available from Mathematics Mastery, a non profit organisation has resources for Key Stage 1, 2 and 3.
EYFS Home - NEW! EYFS Home- A free, daily set of activities for 3-5 year-olds, linked to the English EYFS Early Years Learning Goals.
Strings and Things. Drama based sensory stories and story messages about social distancing from our good friends at Collar and Cuffs.
Free access to the Spring edition Creative Steps magazine
Toddler Approved boredom busters
Phonics Play is free to access during the Coronavirus pandemic
Ideas of Free resources for people of all ages
Safer Internet Centre has a list of online safety activities you can do from home for all ages
FREE for 30 days Widget Symbols to support people help parents, teachers and carers who use symbols and help them realise their full potential, no matter what their age, ability or background.
TeachKloud is giving away, 40 Yoga poses and activities and a 46-page Resource with 20 fun and easy open-ended learning opportunities using natural materials
Learning through Landscapes This is our second week of sustainable learning and play activities, while children are at home due to Covid-19. There will be many more resources and ideas over the coming weeks.
BBC Bitesize There are free videos, guides, activities, games and quizzes by level and subject, all available.
Books at Press are offering Free Powerpoint Jigsaw, Easter Board Game and Dominoes to play at home or school Email [email protected] and ask for FREE EASTER ACTIVITIES.
Foundations Software have gathered 'bunch of free resources ' from some well-known celebrities and children’s entertainers. Links to all can be found here
At Speech Link Multimedia Ltd we believe that every child should have access to support for their speech, language and communication needs to help them reach their full potential. Welcome to the Parent Portal, our new parent support site for children with speech and language difficulties.
Orchard Toys Ltd have got you covered with over 120 free downloadable activity sheets
Bloomsbury Education have an online library of activity ideas to do with children aged between 0-5. Bloomsbury Early Years will be available for free for the duration of the Coronavirus pandemic.