Statement regarding Mental Health and Wellbeing

The past few months since March have affected us all. Children, at the very least, will have suffered loss of time with their peers and friends and a sense of well being that comes from familiarity of routine. There may be additional worries or even loss of a loved one in the family.

It is important to us that we provide an environment where all children feel safe, valued and enabled to participate.

To support this we will

· Listen to and acknowledge their concerns.

· Be aware of emotional and behavioural signs of stress.

· Being aware of children and young people who communicate differently who may rely on us to help them interpret them

· Look out for any changes in their behaviour

· Be aware of our own reactions

· Create a strong sense of routine during the day.

· Create opportunities to check in during routine basecamp recalls.

We will also

· model taking care of ourselves and positive relationships

· Be aware of our own reactions and manage our emotions, remaining calm and kind. We will answer any questions they have honestly

Parents, do contact us and have a chat if there is anything that we can specifically be aware of prior to the session.

Forest School and WILD PLAY post Coronavirus (Covid-19) Lockdown

Please note that the following policies and procedures are subject to change in line with government guidance. We will update them as the situation changes however if you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact us.

1. Information about Covid-19

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. Its incubation period is between 2 and 14 days. If a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, it is unlikely that they have been infected.

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

Cough
difficulty in breathing
fever (37.8 degrees or above)
loss of sense of smell/taste

People over the age of 70, with weakened immune systems and those with long term health conditions are more at risk of severe symptoms from Covid-19. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups – very few cases have been reported in children.

According to the World Health Organisation, the virus that causes Covid-19 spreads primarily when droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. You can also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.

To protect yourself from Covid-19 the UK government advise keeping yourself 2 metres apart from others, frequently washing your hands for at least 20 seconds and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces regularly. People who feel unwell should stay at home and self- isolate as per government guidance.

2. Context

The government as part of its roadmap towards recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak publishedProtective measures for out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Protective measures for out-of school settings during the corona virus COVID 19 outbreak 10th July and Guidance for providers of outdoor facilities on the phased return of sport and recreation in England. We are also considering guidanceout together by the Forest School Association on Mental Health and Wellbeing. This policy document is intended to provide information and support for all staff, parents and families as they return to Forest School from Tuesday 21 July 2020.

3. Hierarchy of measures to reduce risk

The government acknowledge that small children particularly but also primary aged children cannot be expected to remain the suggested two metres apart from each other and therefore have advocated a hierarchy of measures that settings should put in place to reduce risk of contracting and transmitting coronavirus.

This includes:

ensuring parents and carers are advised to keep children with any symptoms at home
ensuring staff who are symptomatic do not attend work
frequent hand cleaning and good respiratory hygiene practices
regular cleaning of settings minimising contact and mixing

4. How we will implement the hierarchy of measures

Parents and Carers to keep symptomatic children home

Parents and carers have a duty to keep their children at home if they have any of the most important symptoms of Covid-19 including:

a new continuous cough
a high temperature (37.8 degrees or above)
a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If children or any family members of children who are booked to come into sessions at forest school have any of the symptoms above they must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if they have COVID-19.

4.1.1 Getting tested and the results

The parent of the child or staff member who has symptoms must contact 111, OR 119 or apply online immediately and request a test.

If any person in a team member or child’s household shows signs of COVID-19 the family must get tested immediately. They cannot attend forest school whilst they await the results and the entire household must isolate. Anyone in your support bubble must self-isolate until you’ve been tested and received your result. Further details are available at:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/.Forest School must be informed of the result as soon as possible to enable appropriate action to be put in place if required.

Where the child or staff member tests negative, they can return to Forest School and their fellow household members can end their self-isolation.

If a child or staff member tests positive, the rest of their immediate group within their setting should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

If children develop symptoms of Covid-19 during a forest school session, we will follow the procedure for dealing with suspected or confirmed cases in Appendix A.

4.1.2 Clinically Vulnerable or Extremely Clinically Vulnerable

Please note that children who have been classed as extremely clinically vulnerable due to pre-existing medical conditions have been advised to shield and should not attend.

Additionally, children who are clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) are also advised to not attend.

We will only accept children that are able to attend school.

4.2 Staff who are symptomatic do not attend work

Similarly, staff also have a duty to stay at home if they have any of the most important symptoms of Covid-19 and should follow the same guidance as noted for children and families in section 4.1 above. If a staff member develops symptoms during a session at forest school, setting staff will refer to the procedure for dealing with suspected or confirmed cases in Appendix A.

Where a staff member tests negative, they can return to Forest School and their fellow household members can end their self-isolation. If a staff member tests positive, the rest of their immediate group within Forest School should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

4.3 Frequent Hand Washing and Good Respiratory and General Hygiene

We will ensure sufficient handwashing facilities (running water and soap, alcohol hand rub, sanitiser or skin-friendly wipes) are available for staff and children, and that hands are washed upon entering the setting, regularly throughout the session, before and after eating and when children leave. Staff will ensure children are supervised when doing this, especially if using hand rub or sanitiser, and learn how to do it effectively. Staff will also ensure that they wash their own hands before supporting the children to wash theirs.

We will also ensure that we have a good supply of disposable tissues throughout the setting to implement ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’. We will ensure the availability of bins, and that tissues are immediately disposed into bins and that these are emptied and double bagged at the end of the session.

4.3.1 Hand Washing Routines

To ensure the staff, children, parents and visitors are washing their hands in line with the current guidelines the following will be put in place:

On arrival to Forest School all staff will sanitise their hands.
On arrival all children will be asked to wash their hands by a staff member.
Staff members should wash their own hands before supporting a child to wash theirs.
During the day children and staff will wash their hands after going to the toilet, before meals or snacks, and when arriving back to base camp.
Staff will take children to wash their hands before they are picked up to leave.
Team should wash hands before putting on any PPE.
Staff should wash their hands before preparing any food or drinks.

4.3.2 Food and drink

We ask parents to bring the child’s lunch and snacks in a wipeable box and water bottle.

We will not be providing cooking activities until guidance permits. Our popcorn snack will made and handed out to children by the staff who will ensure good hygiene with hands and utensils.

Water will also be provided to children who have not brought their water bottle in cups which will be washed after each use. Staff will wash their hands before preparing cups of water.

4.4 Regular cleaning of forest school area

All Seasons Forest School will ensure that the surfaces that children and staff are touching, such as taps, equipment, toilet, are cleaned at the end of each session using disinfection as appropriate.

We ask that parents do not allow children to bring toys/knives in from home.

We will ensure that gloves are taken home by staff and washed in line with guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19- decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings).

Please refer to Appendix B for the full details of the cleaning procedures to be followed.

4.5 Minimising contact and mixing

As of the 4th July social interactions are limited to two households (a support bubble counts as one household) in any location; or if outdoors, potentially up to six people from different households.

The government also acknowledges that we cannot expect young children to be able to keep 1-2 metres apart during sessions, therefore it is advised that contact between groups of children and staff is reduced as far as possible, for example by ensuring children and staff mix in a small consistent group and that small groups stay away from other groups on site.

We will encourage distancing and space between the children through talks and modelling and spreading out around the site. Children will be encouraged to take part in activities independently and where this is not possible, staff will spend only as much time as is necessary to help them and no longer. Activities will be considered to be achievable and within childrens’ abilities. We will reduce higher risk activities such as edged tool use that require staff to support children closely 1:1.

All activity should be risk assessed and due consideration given to any adaptations to usual practice. It is expected that would include, but not be limited, to the suspension of learning experiences involving materials which are not easily washable such as malleable materials and the suspension of the sharing of food and utensils.

When allocating children to groups we will prioritise organising them into households and school bubbles.

Additionally staff will use 1m plus mitigation while with children endeavour to sit/stand side by side with children rather than face to face.

4.5.1 Implementing small groups at forest school

Children attending All Seasons Forest School will be divided into small groups which will operate in separate zones with a member of staff allocated for each group.

In emergencies (for example if a staff member is sent home ill) the Forest school leader would need to make the decision to close the session for those children within their zone.

4.5.2 Drop off and Pick up

For July/August opening, parents are advised that they need to prepare their child to be dropped off at the allocated area, maintaining social distancing and that their parent will not be able to accompany them to the forest school site.

As many of our children will not have been attending a setting for nearly three months and may be feeling anxious, staff and parents are encouraged to talk about and consider how best to manage dropping off the children while maintaining physical distancing.

Parents will be requested to have only one adult bring their child(ren) to drop off and pick up and will be allocated a time to drop off their child(ren) and pick them up to ensure there are not too many families queuing at once and to ensure social distancing.

Drop off times will be between 9:00 and 09:15 (at the latest). Pick up times will be between 15:00 and 15:15 (at the latest).

Each child will be allocated a leader and a drop of/pick up point.

Exceptionally the Leader should consider allowing parents to enter the setting for the purpose of settling in sessions (for new children) if not doing so would cause a child distress. In this case measures should be taken to minimise contact between the parent and other children and staff members.

Parents will pick up their children at the allocated time from the agreed collection point. If parents are running late for pick up they will need to call as far in advance as possible.

If parents/carers need to discuss an issue with staff, parents are asked to consider using technology digitally, for example via email or on the telephone at a time agreed after session.

5. Wider Measures

5.1 Staff meetings and training

Staff meetings and training sessions will be conducted virtually unless there is an exceptional reason to meet physically. If meeting physically staff should remain at a safe distance from each other as per the government guidance. While in general groups should be kept apart, brief, transitory contact, such as moving to a different part of the setting, is low risk.

5.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

In instances requiring first aid and if a child is displaying Covid-19 symptoms and needs close contact, a fluid resistant surgical face mask, disposable gloves and apron and eye covering should be worn.

Please refer to Appendix B regarding what PPE is required to be worn when cleaning the setting in various circumstances.

5.3 Taking temperatures

The government advise that settings do not need to take their temperatures every morning or throughout the day. Public Health England’s guidance is that routine testing of an individual’s temperature is not a reliable method for identifying coronavirus. There is no need for anything other than normal personal hygiene and washing of clothes following a day in a childcare setting.

5.4 Operational Procedure

Appendix C details the general operating procedure for offering sessions during COVID-19.

Appendix A – Procedure for dealing with a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 at Forest School

Staff members need to follow this AND the Public Health England South West Checklist for Covid-19 Case and Outbreak management in Educational Settings.

What to do if child or adult becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19

Call the child’s parent to request they collect their child from forest school immediately.
If it is an adult and they feel well enough, they should leave forest school immediately and return home. The individual who is unwell should call NHS 111 from their mobile, or 999 if an emergency (if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk) and outline their current symptoms.
If the person affected is not able for any reason to call NHS 111 themselves, then a staff member should call on their behalf and the staff member shouldleave forest school immediately and return home.
Call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency (if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk), you can do this on their behalf if this is easier. People who become unwell should be advised not to go to their GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.
Whilst you wait for advice from NHS 111 or an ambulance to arrive, put on appropriate PPE which would include disposable gloves, disposable apron, disposable surgical mask and face visor.
Find somewhere safe for the unwell person to sit which is at least 2 metres away from other people.
If possible, find an area where they can be isolated, such as base camp.
If they need to go to the bathroom whilst waiting for medical assistance, they should use a separate designated toilet tent reserved for such instances.
The aim is for the child to be off forest school premises within thirty minutes of becoming unwell.
After the child or staff member has left the room used for isolation it will need to be deep cleaned, including any objects/items touched.
Make sure that the children who are old enough know to tell a member of staff if they feel unwell.

What to do if a case of COVID-19 is suspected in forest school

If anyone has been in contact with a suspected case in Forest School, no restrictions or special control measures are required while laboratory test results for COVID-19 are awaited.

There is no need to close Forest School or send other learners or staff home.

Once the results arrive, those who test negative for COVID-19 will be advised individually about return to Forest School.

What to do if a case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Forest School

Forest School will need to contact the local Public Health England Health Protection Team to discuss the case, identify people who have been in contact with them and advise on any actions or precautions that should be taken.

Advice on the management of children and staff will be based on this assessment. The Health Protection Team will also be in contact with the patient directly to advise on isolation and identifying other contacts and will be in touch with any contacts of the patient to provide them with appropriate advice.

Advice on cleaning of communal areas will be given by the Health Protection Team.

If there is a confirmed case, a risk assessment will be undertaken with advice from the local Health Protection Team.

The group that has been affected will be required to close, all team and children within this group will be required to self-isolate for 14 days along with the other members of their household. In most cases, closure of the whole setting will be unnecessary.

What to do if children or staff at Forest School are contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 who was symptomatic

The definition of a contact includes:

any child or staff member in close face-to-face or touching contact including those undertaking small group work (within 2 metres of the case for more than 15 minutes).
talking with or being coughed on for any length of time while the individual is symptomatic.
anyone who has cleaned up any bodily fluids of the individual.
close friendship groups.
any child or staff member living in the same household as a confirmed case.
Contacts are not considered cases and if they are well, they are very unlikely to have spread the infection to others, however:
They will be asked to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact with the confirmed case and follow the home isolation guidance
They will be actively followed up by the Health Protection Team
If they develop any symptoms within their 14-day observation period they should call NHS 111 for assessment
If they become unwell with cough, fever or shortness of breath they will be tested for COVID-19
If they require emergency medical attention, call 999 and tell the call handler or ambulance control that the person has a history of potential contact with COVID-19
If they are unwell at any time within their 14-day observation period and they test positive for COVID-19 they will become a confirmed case and will be treated for the infection

Family and friends who have not had close contact (as listed above) with the original confirmed case do not need to take any precautions or make any changes to their own activities such as attending childcare or educational settings or work, unless they become unwell. If they become unwell, they should call NHS 111 and explain their symptoms and discuss any known contact with the case to consider if they need further assessment. If a confirmed case occurs in the Playgroup the local Health Protection Team will provide advice and will work with the management team.

Outside those that are defined as close contacts, the rest of Forest School does not need to take any precautions or make any changes to their own activities attending educational establishments or work as usual, unless they become unwell. If they become unwell, they will be assessed as a suspected case depending on their symptoms. This advice applies to staff and children in the rest of the group.

The decision as to whether children and staff fall into this contact group or the closer contact group will be made between the Health Protection Team, the Forest School and (if they are old enough) the child. Advice should be given as follows:

if they become unwell with cough, fever or shortness of breath they will be asked to self-isolate and should seek medical advice from NHS 111
if they are unwell at any time within the 14 days of contact and they are tested and are positive for COVID-19 they will become a confirmed case and will be treated as such.

What to do if children or staff return from travel abroad within the last 14 days

If staff or children have travelled to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and you were there for 14 days or more you do not need to self-isolate. However, staff or children returning from anywhere else abroad are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return and cannot attend forest school during this time.

Appendix B - Cleaning Procedure What you need to know

Cleaning an area with normal household disinfectant after someone with suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
We will wear disposable or washing-up gloves and aprons for cleaning. These should be double-bagged, then stored securely for 72 hours then thrown away in the regular rubbish after cleaning is finished.

We will use a disposable cloth, and first clean hard surfaces with warm soapy water. Then disinfect these surfaces with normal cleaning products. We will pay particular attention to frequently touched areas and surfaces
If an area has been heavily contaminated, such as with visible bodily fluids, from a person with coronavirus (COVID-19), we will use protection for the eyes, mouth and nose, as well as wearing gloves and an apron.
We will wash our hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds, and after removing gloves, aprons and other protection used while cleaning.

Principles of cleaning after the case has left the setting or area Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The minimum PPE to be worn for cleaning an area where a person with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) is disposable gloves.

Hands should be washed with soap and water for 20 seconds after all PPE has been removed.

If our setting risk assessment indicates that a higher level of virus may be present or there is visible contamination with body fluids, then the need for additional PPE to protect the cleaner’s eyes, mouth and nose might be necessary. The local Public Health England (PHE) Health Protection Team (HPT) can advise on this.

Staff will be trained in the correct use of a surgical mask, to protect them against other people’s potentially infectious respiratory droplets when within 2 metres, and the mask use and supply of masks would need to be equivalent to that in healthcare environments.

Cleaning and disinfection

Public areas where a symptomatic individual has passed through and spent minimal time, but which are not visibly contaminated with body fluids can be cleaned thoroughly as normal.

All surfaces that the symptomatic person has come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected, including:

objects which are visibly contaminated with body fluids
all potentially contaminated high-contact areas
Use disposable cloths following one of the options below:
- use either a combined detergent disinfectant solution at a dilution of 1,000 parts per million available chlorine

a household detergent followed by disinfection (1000 ppm av.cl.). Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants

if an alternative disinfectant is used within the organisation, this should be checked and ensure that it is effective against enveloped viruses

We will avoid creating splashes and spray when cleaning. Any cloths used must be disposed of and should be put into waste bags as outlined below.

When items cannot be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example, upholstered furniture and mattresses, they should be securely disposed of. Any items that are heavily contaminated with body fluids and cannot be cleaned by washing should be disposed of.

Laundry

Wash items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest water setting and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an unwell person can be washed with other people’s items.

Do not shake dirty laundry, this minimises the possibility of dispersing virus through the air. Clean and disinfect anything used for transporting laundry with your usual products, in line with the cleaning guidance above.

Waste

Waste from possible cases and cleaning of areas where possible cases have been (including disposable cloths and tissues):

Should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full.
The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied.
It should be put in a suitable and secure place and marked for storage until the individual’s test results are known.

Waste should be stored safely and kept away from children. You should not put your waste in communal waste areas until negative test results are known or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours.

if the individual tests negative, this can be put in with the normal waste
if the individual tests positive, then store it for at least 72 hours and put in with the normal waste

If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, arrange for collection as a Category B infectious waste either by your local waste collection authority if they currently collect your waste or otherwise by a specialist clinical waste contractor. They will supply you with orange clinical waste bags for you to place your bags into so the waste can be sent for appropriate treatment.

Appendix C - WILD PLAY COVID 19 Operating Procedures

We are an outdoor provider with all sessions taking place outside with space to explore, move and get into our bodies fresh air, fun and connection. We believe that being outside and being with each other again supports well-being. We look forward to offer re-opening our provision for the summer holidays with increased measures to limit the transmission of COVID 19 and an engaging, supportive programme.

In order to this we will be

· Organising children into small groups with one adult to 5 children/households operating in three separate ‘zones’ each with their own basecamp, toilet, and handwashing facilities and activity area.

· Encouraging social distancing and space through optimum use of outdoor environment.

· Beginning our day with basecamp talks, modelling, games, visuals and activities that help instill a new way of being ogether, while considering children’s attachments and their need for emotional support at this time

· Limiting certain more risky activities in order to support social distancing. Until guidance suggests it is safe we will not be offering cooking as an activity.

· Creating new routines to reinforce these measures while maintaining the familiar as far as possible and creating a sense of safe, supportive environment; structuring the day into set activities such as firelighting, construction or craft.

· Closely supporting free play .

· Considering carefully how our activities are delivered and ensure shared equipment is cleaned between uses and where possible children will be allocated their own equipment. Any equipment that cannot be cleaned easily between sessions will be not be available.

· Ensuring good handwashing and hygiene. On entering the site, all children will handwash for designated time of 20 seconds with soap and water. Handwashing routines will be modelled and supported at key times such as entering the site, before and after using equipment and between activities.

· Parents dropping off/collecting children will be allocated a drop off point and time and will be asked to socially distance.

· Parents will be asked at drop off whether their child has any of the symptoms and should confirm by signing the parent agreement that the child and household is well and symptom free

· Keeping a record of children attending for 21 days to support government Test and Trace service.

Staff will only attend the setting if they are symptom free, or have achieved a negative test result having displayed symptoms.

Cleaning shared equipment and frequently touched surfaces or where not possible to clean equipment quarantining for 72 hours. Ensuring that equipment is not shared between groups

All Seasons Forest School

Risk and Benefit Assessment

Assessed by: Carrie Roet

Date : 28/5/20

Next assessment due wk/bg 27/7/20

Benefits of the Activity

Being in the natural environment reduces stress, keeps immune systems strong, builds resilience and community and keeps us physically healthy.

The UK Government Guidance : 11/05/20

The government has acknowledged that ‘the risk of transmission outdoors is significantly lower.’ They suggest that people ‘move activity outdoors if you can’.

The Forest School Association

The FSA believes that due to the nature of Forest School Sessions and facilitating play needs of children and young people, the most appropriate precaution which can be taken is to create and maintain learner ‘bubbles’. This means that equipment, resources and the environment can be shared within each ‘bubble’ without significant risk.

All Seasons Forest School recognizes that this is the most ideal scenario for children however with risk mitigation in place detailed below and small groups of 5 children to one adult.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/guidance-for-providers-of-outdoor-facilities-on-the-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation?fbclid=IwAR0rFZKbl3z8E8UQsqQD0b9yCbTnZmqMeo5PJsOv1eu_1JaoavIgZ9qxa0w

RISK

· Spread of covid-19 during forest school session.

· Contracting the virus within a group setting

· Further cross-contamination within the community

Note: The risk factor for children and younger people (without underlying health conditions) is significantly less than for older people (including staff) and the wider community (where up to 1/3 of the population have underlying health conditions). The risk factor for clinically vulnerable people is very high and so the control measures must be implemented rigorously in order to lower the residual risk.

Govt Guidance taken from gov.uk 23/05/20

Example of action to be taken in order to comply.

How will this information be relayed to staff/parents/learners?

Notes

Plan parent’s drop off and pick-up protocols that minimize adult to adult contact.

Parents are advised to maintain 2m at drop off. Parents are asked leave children at drop off point rather than accompanying children to the site.

Groups will be allocated drop off and pick up points and times.

Booking information indicating clear guidance and photos of drop off points.

Reminder poster to be displayed.

Minimising contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does not attend childcare settings, schools, or colleges.

Email, facebook with links, website, paper copies on the day

Parents to sign paper copies on the day.

Parents will be asked on the day if their child or any member of their household has symptoms of cough or loss of taste/smell.

Parent agreement to be shared on booking and made available on the day for parents to sign. Emails detailing important content to be labeled as such to avoid possibility of missed information.

Ensure that parents and young people are aware of recommendations on transport to and from education or childcare setting(including peak times). Read the coronavirus (COVID19): safer travel guidance for passengers

Parents directed to this information through parent agreement.

Cleaning hands more often than usual – wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap and dry them thoroughly or use alcohol sanitizer ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered.

Children to wash hands on entering site.

Parents provided with antibac for hands if using pen to sign agreement.

Staff to antibac hands once drop of complete.

Tippy taps installed at accessible height requiring no hand contact to operate. Antibacterial hand soap with each tap. Supervised handwashing for younger children.

Handwashing/antibacterial gel on entering /leaving environment.

Handwashing after catching a sneeze in hand.

Handwashing before eating, drinking.

Handwashing after sneezing and touching face with hands.

The FSA does not recommend alcohol hand gel. Mud/dirt on hands will render ineffective.

We are informing the children through verbal dialogue during basecamp talks, adults modelling, ongoing prompts and visual signs around site.

Help children to remember these through games, songs and repetition.

Children will be made aware of and supported with these new conditions and adults will monitor, observe and support children for potential anxiety.

FS Leader and assisting adults to support social distancing among children as much as is practicable and appropriate. Adults will support children through warm, reassuring verbal interaction, through tone, body language and gesture without touch and use risk mitigation detailed further below.

Used pens placed aside and fresh pens given to parents. Disinfect immediately before resusing.

Ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.

Bin for tissues provided, removed and replaced between groups. Tissues available near taps to facilitate immediate handwashing.

As hand hygiene above. Bin for tissues placed beside handwashing facilities. Tissues readily available.

As above.

Cleaning frequently touched surfaces often using standard products, such as detergents and bleach.

Priority areas will be: all areas of tippy taps, toilet tent and toilet * zip and walls in and out, gate, tool handles, storage box handles and lids, ropes. leader to wear disposable apron and double gloves for cleaning.

Cloths will be double bagged and then thrown away in the regular rubbish after cleaning is finished.

* toilet will be cleaned and disinfected between uses.

Second tier surfaces, scissors, laminates, butterfly net handles, coat pegs, tool handles where shared. These items/surfaces will be cleaned after each use with alcohol spray and left to air dry before next use.

Equipment will be kept on site.

Cleaning of priority areas to take place 12:30 and 15:30.

Minimising contact and mixing by altering as much as possible, the environment(such as classroom layout and timetables (such as staggered break times)

‘Early Years and Primary children cannot be expected to stay away from each other and staff.”

“Where setting can keep children and young people in those small groups 2 meters away from each other they should do so.’

FS Leader will not plan for physical contact games, rough and tumble play, group cooking, chasing and tagging and role play.

Clear boundaries between Forest School zones.

Parents informed that government advise is that children do not attend other settings/schools/outdoor gatherings to avoid further mixing.

FS Leader will plan for fun alternatives and frame any advice with positive alternative as far as possible.

Children will be made aware of and supported with these new conditions and adults will monitor, observe and support children for potential anxiety.

FS Leader and assisting adult to support social distancing among children as much as is practicable and appropriate through a greater emphasis on structured activities. Adults will support children with games through warm, reassuring verbal interaction, through tone, body language and gesture without touch and avoiding eye height interactions without PPE.

Individual activities will be risk assessed separately in order to maintain social distance or 1m with mitigation.

Eating will be in our circle with plenty of space between us.

The majority of staff in education settings will not require PPE beyond what they would normally need for their work, even if they are not always able to maintain a distance of 2 m from others.

PPE will be made available to staff. In the instance that a child becomes unwell with symptoms of C19 they will wear full PPE including eye protection when with the child. PPE will be available as a matter of course for adults providing essential close contact 1:1 in the instance of first aid and personal assistance with clothing young children. This will be a matter of preference. Other mitigation such as sitting sideways or not being below will be used

Communicated through this doc and verbally prior to session.

Children to receive pictures of adults wearing PPE.

It is sensible to arrange classrooms and workshops with sitting postions 2m apart.

‘Basecamp’ talks where children seated for no more than 20 minutes will be conducted on playground or in a position where there is space for children to spread out and sit side to side.

Tool and craft workshop areas will be set out so there is a natural distance.

Children will be made aware of and supported with these new conditions and adults will monitor, observe and support children for potential anxiety.

FS Leader and assisting adult to support social distancing among children as much as is practicable and appropriate. Adults will support children with games and activities through warm, reassuring verbal interaction, through tone, body language and gesture without touch and avoiding eye height and below interactions.

Remove soft furnishings, soft toys, and toys that are hard to clean (such as those with intricate parts)

Limit the amount of shared resources that are taken home and limit exchange of take-home resources between young people and staff by seeking to prevent the sharing of stationary and other equipment where possible.

Shared materials and surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected more frequently although practical lessons can go ahead if the equipment can be cleaned thoroughly and the classroom environment is occupied by the same children and young people in one day, or properly cleaned between cohorts.

No soft toys during session, hammocks to be used by one child only during session and then disinfected and hung to dry overnight.

Rope play: Ropes to be allocated to groups and disinfected post session and hung to dry overnight.

With frequently used PPE such as gloves for tool use that cannot be easily cleaned, children will be allocated their own pair of gloves for the session.

Children will be allocated their own equipment when tool area is open e.g. scissors. They will also be allocated their own work space to reduce repeated contact of surfaces.

In the instance that children need to share equipment e.g. bow saw, tool will be cleaned between uses.

Omit equipment that encourages close contact with the face such as binoculars, stethoscopes, mirrors, hammocks, soft toys.

Use wipeable laminated paper resources rather than books for project and ID guides.

Children are sometimes soothed by having a familiar toy or transitional object with them. We will encourage children to keep these in their bags when playing or on their immediate person in basecamp.

Unless there is a suspected case of C19, PPE will not be necessary for cleaning.

There is no need for anything other than normal personal hygiene and washing of clothes following a day in an educational setting.

Communication with staff through online meetings.

Communication with parents through parent agreement.

Limit the number of resources that are taken home and limit exchange of take-home resources between children and young people and staff.

Additional drinking water container clearly labeled available for topping up water bottles. Adults to refill ensuring rims of bottles do not come into contact.

Making/fashioning products from natural resources is a popular choice of activity with children often wanting to take something they have made home. Parents may elect whether children bring products home on booking form.

Bags and personal items stored away from others.

No equipment, tools, knives to be brought in from home. ASF will provide tools and resources and where possible will be labeled to an individual.

We suggest that parents bring a large bag/bin bag with them and products are quarantined for 72 hours.

Drinks container and lunchbox to fit within one bag for storage.

If a child or member of staff starts displaying symptoms of COVID19

Facemasks should be worn if a distance of 2m cannot be maintained from someone with symptoms of coronavirus.

The child will be moved to an isolated area by staff member wearing PPE and have their temperature taken. This area will be away from the main play area. Parents of the child with symptoms and all other children in this group will be contacted asked to collect their children immediately.

Familes will ensure that any child displaying symptoms returns home and self isolates with their family until a negative test result is achieved.

Where a child or staff member tests negative, they can return to any further Wild Play sessions and their household can end self isolation.

If a child or staff member tests positive, the parents of the rest of their immediate group will be contacted and advised to self isolate for 14 days.

Where a member of staff becomes ill during the session with symptoms of COVID 19 they will be asked to leave the site immediately, self isolate and seek a test. If this compromises the ratio and COVID 19 protective protocol for the remainder of the group, ASF will contact the parents to advise them to pick up their children .

FS leader/assistant will put on full PPE , masks, apron and gloves. If there is risk of splashing to the eyes through coughing, spitting or vomiting then eye protection should also be worn.

Parents will be informed of this protocol through the parent agreement.

Ensure that toilets do not become crowded by limiting the number of children or young people who use the toilet facilities at one time.

Pop up toilet tents provided for zones in order to limit use of compost loo.

Ensure and monitor children’s comfort levels with using this. Encourage feedback and explain clearly how to use, reinforcing handwashing procedure as part of process. Tippy tap will be situated immediately nearby.

In some cases, it may be necessary for providers to introduce a temporary cap on numbers to ensure that safety is prioritized.

Wild Play sessions will be limited to 5 children to one adult playing in ‘zones’.

Staff to receive training in infection control and donning PPE.

Each staff member to read, understand the risk assessment, policies and procedures and confirm they have undertaken training above training prior to working with All Seasons Forest School.

Clear communication with parents prior to booking confirmation. Siblings will be placed together and friendship groups staying together will be prioritized.