Is it just me or are things starting to feel a little more like the ‘old normal’? Or maybe we have just lived with the ‘new normal’ long enough to feel like we are getting back on track.
The telephone in nursery is alive again with calls from suppliers, assessors, prospective parents wanting to look around and companies who – prior to Covid-19 – visited us for sessions such as dancing, Forest School and drama.
Each caller has the same question: ‘Are you allowing visitors yet?’ My stock answer until recently has been ‘No’. This was and still is to protect our staff, children and families and ensure that we reduce the risk of the spread of infection. However, I am starting to judge each telephone call and request on individual merit. Are we becoming braver as time goes on, or are we starting to develop a way of living in a new era?
Online training
Both in my role as a consultant and even when I’m working hands-on in nursery, I’ve been fielding questions about training and how to keep staff teams developing their knowledge and skills. Many providers feel training has been neglected since the pandemic started, and understandably so. But as the doors have opened and more children are now attending, settings want to get back to professionally developing their staff team again.
Online training and using electronic platforms such as Zoom and Skype have been working really well and continue to do so. This means that all staff, whether in the setting or still on furlough, can access the training. It also helps with social distancing as staff do not have to be gathered in one room as they do for face-to-face training. Unless training needs to be face-to-face, such as first-aid, a lot can be achieved remotely.
That said, there are some instances where training on-site is desirable.
For example, apprentices and those staff completing childcare qualifications still require observations by tutors and individual teaching time. Many tutors have been great, working at times to suit learners and, where possible, online.
Welcoming tutors
However, real-time observations need to be completed in order for learners to progress with their studies. This is where a sensible risk assessment comes into play. In our setting we are welcoming tutors into the garden, where the risk of the spread of infection is reduced and where social distancing can be maximised.
Discussions have been open and honest with tutors who have their own risk assessments to follow and will adhere to hygiene practices, including disclosing if they have any symptoms prior to visits. The quieter period that many settings are currently experiencing may be the ideal time to support staff to gain any new qualifications.
There is also the balancing act of protecting staff, children and families by shielding them from unnecessary visitors and promoting their mental health, welfare and development. Having a setting that is usually rich with visitors who provide extra-curricular activities, we know that the children are eagerly anticipating their return.
Off-site activities
At least once a day either a parent or a child will ask about returning to Forest School, swimming lessons or dancing. Some of these activities are off-site and some are experienced in the setting. The infection rate is very low where we are located and therefore during the autumn term, providing the guidance allows, we will hopefully start to incorporate these back into our curriculum. Risk assessments will be carried out, of course.
It is imperative that any plans are discussed with parents so that all parties feel comfortable. In addition, risk assessments of those conducting the activities and those of the setting will need to be read prior to attending so the necessary risks for all parties are minimised.
Trips and outings
As parts of many communities are returning to some semblance of normality and the weather has been kind to us, many settings are starting to venture outside more. Using the local facilities of parks and recreation areas in walking distance is the obvious first step. Taking precautions is essential, such as only taking out very small groups, taking lots of antibacterial hand gel and discussing with children the rules of social distancing.
Of course, some settings don’t have their own private outdoor space and so it is important that children are exercising and accessing fresh air safely.
Every owner and manager will have their own thoughts and feelings about allowing visitors into the setting and going on trips and outings. Communities and local areas will have different infection rates, there will be factors to consider for each setting that are different from those of settings in other local authorities and even the setting down the road.
Parents will also have different views, so just remember what is right for one setting won’t always be right for another. Reviewing risk assessments constantly and taking into account the changes in guidance, factors in the local community and how comfortable each individual is with any associated risk will determine what you can and can’t do, or what you feel comfortable with or not.
We are in uncharted waters and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But I am confident that the great leaders and practitioners in our sector will navigate them successfully.
Laura Hoyland is managing director of Hopscotch Early Years Consultancy
