COVID-19 Update

Out of the 41 families we currently have in our setting, 9 have said they would feel happy to return, 5 were apprehensive and would like more details, 17 families said they would not be sending their child and 10 parents did not reply.

I am currently reading through all Government guidance, completing risk assessments and following checklists to see whether it would be beneficial to open for those 9 children.
What I can tell you is the pre-school experience would be very different to the experience your children are used to.
Government guidance suggests children are to be kept in small groups of 2/3 with 1 adult (the same staff member each time they visit) and where possible; they should be in different rooms. The children will not be able to mix with other groups. We have been informed we would not be able to use water/sand play, dressing up clothes, play dough and soft play equipment.
All toys and resources used must be cleaned with anti-bacterial cleaner once each child has finished playing with them and children are not to share resources such as pencils, paints etc.
Children would not be able to bring in toys or food from home and we would probably only offer the morning sessions to overcome the packed lunch issue.
Parents would be asked to hand over children in the car park and would not be permitted in the village hall.

This is just a very brief outline of what we are expected to do; in the event we do re-open for the six week period before the Summer holiday I will send a copy of our COVID-19 policy and procedures.

We are still awaiting guidance from Suffolk County Council (they have been extremely supportive) on the issues Early Years Providers face and are speaking to other providers daily to try to overcome the obstacles.

For the children who will be leaving us in July; I can confirm I have begun speaking to Reception teachers and we will do everything possible to make the transition in to primary school as smooth as possible. If you haven't already confirmed which school your child is attending, please do so as soon as possible. Without this confirmation I am unable to share any information with your child's reception teacher.
We will be arranging a leavers picnic/party for those who wish to attend as soon as it is safe to do so; we desperately want to say farewell to the children who will be leaving us.

Thank you again to everyone who replied to my last email, please don't forget to express your opinions on the survey below!

Stay safe

Shelley xx