Contingency Plan

Outbreak management plan / contingency plan

In the guidance for Step 4, the Govt stated: ‘As COVID-19 becomes a virus that we learn to live with, there is now an imperative to reduce the disruption to children’s education.’ The guidance went on to state that, ‘You should have outbreak management plans outlining how you would operate if there were an outbreak in your setting or local area.’ The revised ‘Actions for Early Years’ guidance is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures. As a result of the introduction of Plan B restrictions in December 2021, you need to update your risk assessment to consider what is best for you and your family moving forwards, especially as the current infection rate is increasing across the country.

The advice is to plan:

1. Precautions: how you keep children and staff as safe as reasonably practicable through a robust system of controls, using Actions for Early Years and common sense as a guide. Think about: what steps will you continue? It’s your decision – you might want to read through and tick the measures you will continue in the future to minimise the risk of infections and closure.

2. Identification: how to identify an individual – child, staff member, family member, close contact etc – is positive for Covid-19. Think about: how will you share this information about when to test, how to test, how to notify etc with parents? Bear in mind, if parents identify you as a close contact and you receive notification from NHS Test and Trace to close, you will have to close.

3. Reporting requirements – if contacted by Test and Trace or informed by a family that there is a positive case, you would need to report to Local Authority and Ofsted. Note: from Step 4 you are no longer responsible for telling families to isolate – this has been taken over by NHS Test and Trace.

4. Response: how you would operate if there was an outbreak in your setting or in the local area. Definition of an outbreak: ‘If you have several confirmed cases within 14 days, you may have an outbreak.’ You will be able to ask advice from the DfE Covid helpline - 0800 046 8687 / option 1.

Outbreak management plan details

1.     Precautions: the current system of controls Consider which of the current system of controls you implemented up to Step 4 will be continued to minimise the risk of closure:

¨ Good hygiene including robust hand washing procedures.

¨ Appropriate cleaning routines for your setting including frequently touched areas and equipment.

¨ Good ventilation in the setting – opening doors and windows to ensure good air flow.

¨ Good respiratory hygiene – teach children to catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, bin it straight away and wash hands.

¨ Doorstep drops / collections for parents.

¨ Outside parent / staff meetings.

¨ Wearing masks on outings to busy places / on public transport.

¨ Keeping groups of children separate.

¨ Providing separate messy play resources for children.

¨ Keeping children to the same car seats and cleaning straps etc between use.

¨ Sending children / staff immediately home if they have any symptoms of coronavirus.

¨ Limiting school collections to reduce possible transfer.

¨ Sitting children forward facing rather than in a circle when singing.

¨ Only meeting up with colleagues outdoors and keeping groups small.

¨ Continuing to do regular lateral flow tests – DfE advises twice weekly tests for staff if you are open through the summer.

2.    Identification To identify cases: **Regular LFT tests if no symptoms – DfE advise twice weekly for adults. **PCR test or 10 day isolation if symptomatic. **NHS Test and Trace notification.

Note: latest information and DfE guidance linked from here – https://www.childcare.co.uk/news/covid-self-isolation-changes

3. Report If you are required to close by NHS Test and Trace you must contact: **Ofsted Covid-19 notification form: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tell-ofsted-if-you-have-a-covid-19-incident-at-your-childcare-business. **Local Authority contact details: Andrew Nichol email.

4. Response to localised outbreaks Consider how you will manage a local outbreak – for example, you would:

**Close the setting when advised by the Local Authority or NHS Test and Trace and inform all parents – you might find it useful to have a parent contact list (name and phone number) accessible in case you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. **Isolate when advised following Government guidance.

**Reintroduce face coverings if advised. You should ensure you and staff can access face coverings in case they are recommended.

**Report closure to Ofsted (using the online form) and the LA Public Health (phone). You will need to keep these details with your outbreak management plan. **Ensure safeguarding is secure during periods of isolation by, for example, keeping in touch with parents and children through the internet.

**Deep clean the setting if advised by Public Health or other authority.

**Offer support to children if they are forced to isolate at home including providing ideas for home learning. The Govt ‘actions for early years’ guidance provides a few website links including ‘Hungry Little Minds’, BBC ‘Tiny Happy People’, Family Zone from the National Literacy Trust and this further guidance – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-children-aged-2-to-4-to-learn-at-home-during-coronavirus-covid-19.