Coronavirus - Reopening the doors

While 1 June signalled the opening of some settings that had been temporarily closed, it was also the date that those settings open to key-worker children could increase their numbers of children attending.

The date was one that was met with a mixture of emotions from the early years sector. Some managers were ready and eager to open their doors, while others were apprehensive, and there were also numerous settings that decided it was not feasible to open at all. Of course, there was no right or wrong way to approach the Government’s signalling to reopen – it was a decision that would always be met with trepidation.

The planning phase, whether that was to increase the number of children attending or to open back up from temporary closure, has been an incredibly difficult one. The risk assessment process has been tested to the limit. There has been so much to consider, with an ongoing process of writing, adding and then changing, such that we have a document that is very much live and in constant review.

Adapting to bubbles

The logistics of children’s ‘bubbles’, sanitising rooms and areas, staffing, supporting the parents and children has never been so testing in planning, let alone in practice. The Government guidance of limiting numbers and having children in ‘bubbles’ might seem alien to other industries and even schools to some extent. However, in the early years, bubbles are really just like key person groups, although a little more thought and planning is needed.

In our nursery we have assigned children to bubbles based on the days they attend and friendship groups, where possible. Necessarily, some children have had to swap from their previous key person (because either they are on furlough still or it made sense to group them with children attending the same days and hours therefore limiting the cross-contamination).

As we decided on the bubbles children would be allocated to, we sent information to parents so they could prepare their children for the return to nursery. Staff also posted – onto the online parent hub – pictures of themselves so that parents could show their children a reminder of their nursery grown-ups. Let’s be honest, most of the staff had changed a little, whether that be a lovely sun tan from furloughing in the garden or the fact that no-one was able to have their hair cut.

Further planning was needed to allocate outdoor time to the children. Our usual policy of free-flow play has been halted and bubbles are taken to and from the garden to limit the number of children inside the building. This is to provide all children with a safe and spacious area to play in, without them coming into contact with children from the different bubbles and rooms. After each session of outdoor play, the equipment is sanitised. The resources, furniture, floors and touchpoints are constantly cleaned in the rooms throughout the day. Although this was always a priority, it is much more frequent and there is always a member of staff with a cloth and antibacterial spray in their hands now.

Balancing the books

Once the risk assessment process was in place, the number-crunching could begin.

Covid-19 has had a huge financial impact on settings, and balancing the books was always going to be hard. It’s so very sad that many settings are not financially stable following the pandemic and have had to close their doors permanently as a result.

At our nursery we have made the decision to take children back in waves. Every two weeks we open up more places so that children can return at a pace that suits both our families and nursery. As families indicate they would like to return, we offer – where possible – a place in the next wave. We are then able to look at staffing and unfurlough staff accordingly.

Inevitably, some parents have decided to withdraw their children permanently – these are either children who are due to leave to go to school shortly, or those children’s parents who would like to wait until they feel more comfortable with the virus risk factors and the decreasing rate of infection. It is upsetting that we won’t get the chance to say a proper farewell, but I am sure they will come and visit when they feel the time is right.

Solving problems

Welcoming children back has been a heart-warming experience. Seeing the smiles on their faces as they come to the door and their reluctance to go home because they want to stay reassures all of us that all the hard work has been worthwhile.

Some parents have required more reassurance as they were worried about their children being emotional with the return to a not-quite-usual nursery environment after a period back at home. We have encouraged parents to call the nursery throughout the day and check on their children if they wish. However, after a couple of weeks, it is now the norm to leave and collect their children at the door. The handwashing before entering is standard practice and children have adjusted to the new systems extremely well. This could just be the new normal.

We can’t predict the future and I am sure the path that lies ahead is not going to be a straightforward one – it never is for early years. That said, we are an industry that adapts very speedily, we are quick-thinking and exemplary at solving problems. I am sure that by pulling together we will come out of this pandemic stronger.