What if I or a child within the setting shows symptoms of covd-19 whilst working?

We will be following the Government guidance relating to Covid-19 at all times. We have also put in place an ‘Emergency Action Plan’ that outlines the procedures for any suspected cases of Covid-19 in the setting. This action plan covers what to do whilst waiting for children to be collected, what staff should do to keep themselves and others safe, cleaning protocols, communication procedures, and disposal of PPE, clothing and other things that might be infected. The basic process is summarised below.

Should a person (staff or child) develop symptoms (new persistent dry cough, high temperature or loss of smell and taste) the manager must be notified immediately, and the person should remove themselves from the setting – if it is a child, their parents will be contacted to collect immediately. Anybody infected will be advised to follow the guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection, and get tested as soon as possible.

Once tested, if it comes back as negative, the symptoms will be managed like any other illness absence – staff should liaise with their manager about when it is safe to return to work.

If the test comes back as positive, the manager must be informed immediately, who will also inform Laura & Steve in CSO. Anybody tested positive must adhere to the self-isolation rules.

If either a child or member of staff tests positive, the rest of their ‘group’ at the setting “should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days”. However, the guidance states that the household members of those in that group do not need to self-isolate unless the children or staff member who they live with develops symptoms themselves.