For over 20 years we helped shape thousands of little lives, then came Lockdown…
we were there for you
@Home, now we are ready to continue @Schools...
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
We pledge our commitment to a variety of strategies to support physical distancing and good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission within the practical limitations of the early learning environment. The following actions set out in this policy document are to be adapted and implemented as necessary and in accordance to the education setting and the individual needs and regulations of each school, the staff, children and the wider community.
We commit to:
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Ensure that if we are unwell we will remain at home, seek medical advice and self isolate .
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Wear a facemask when going out into public.
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Wash our hands well and often. Wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
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Not to touch our eyes, nose, or mouth if we have not washed our hands immediately beforehand, and to wash again afterwards.
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When not required to wear a facemask; cover our mouth and nose with a tissue if we sneeze or cough, then throw it out and immediately wash our hands. If we don't have a tissue, to sneeze or cough into our elbow, not our hands.
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Avoid contact with people who are sick. Maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres away from people in public.
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Not to use our mobile phones in any school setting and to disinfect our phones regularly.
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Be a good role model for the children and actively talk about why everyone needs to wash their hands, exercise social distancing and the importance of everyone doing this.
COACHING AREA HYGIENE
The coaching area needs to be a safe, hygienic environment, where the Instructor can teach, and the children can learn, without worrying about transmitting the virus.
We commit to:
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Be scanned for temperature on arrival at the school and have our details documented/recorded for each visit.
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Request to do our lesson outdoors; if not possible, when indoors, to open doors and windows to increase air circulation and promote air flow.
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Before each lesson, wash/sanitize our hands, check our facemask, and when required to wear a face shield , check that it fully covers the front and sides of the face.
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Always have disposable gloves and consider wearing a gown if contact with a child is anticipated, or needed.
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Make sure that each child is wearing a face mask correctly, before the start of class and during the lesson.
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If each child has not had their hands washed/sanitized by the school staff, to set up a hand hygiene station, so that children can clean their hands before they begin class.
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Supervise children when using hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol.
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Always have tissues readily available in the event a child needs one - check that a bin, preferably a no-touch trashcan, has been provided in the room or outdoor area for easy disposal of tissues.
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Not to allow children to drink directly from any tap or drinking fountain while under our supervision.
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Avoid touching objects/surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles, countertops, nap pads, toilet training potties, desks, chairs, and playground structures.
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Make a visual inspection of each child for signs of illness, which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, fatigue, or extreme fussiness, throughout our lesson. Any child showing symptoms in our care, will immediately be kept separate from other children while they wait to be taken to an isolation room or area by school staff.
SOCIAL DISTANCING STRATEGY
Maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres between will not always be practical in the early childhood sector. Physical distancing is most important between adults and children who are of age to understand the concept. As a precautionary measure to minimise the risk of spread of the transmission, and to aid the containment of the virus we will, under our watch, at all times, keep children 1.5 metres apart, and not make use of any lesson plan that requires shared physical contact between children, or shared personal space of less than 1.5 metres.
We will appreciate all schools assisting and accommodating us, wherever suitable and possible, for us to comply with our precautionary measures.
We commit to:
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Limit the number of children per class to a minimum to allow 2 metres social distancing per child in the class.
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Where possible, each of our classes should include only children from the same teacher, or childcare provider, so that mixing of children from different school classes is avoided or limited.
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Make sure that if children are required to line up and wait for the start of the lesson, they will be required to sit, at least 1.5 metres apart, in an orderly manner.
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Limit direct contact between parents and staff members of the school in order to adhere to social distancing recommendations.
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If required, and provided by the school, stand behind a physical barrier, such as a window or glass/plastic partition which will serve to protect the children.
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Make all considerations to the setup of our coaching area. Including, but not limited to: spacing any Workstations used as far apart as physically possible, and always making use of our Social Distancing Grid to seat children.
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Limit the physical interaction between the Instructor and child down to the bare minimum to ensure just the safety of the child while under our supervision.
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Our grid is practical, durable and child friendly.
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Manufactured from material easily cleaned and disinfected.
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Children learn the physical social distancing concept in a “fun” easy to understand way and quickly learn to stay within their own “safe space”.
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Our grid is flexible, easily and quickly set up, and can accommodate any coaching area layout, while giving the children a secure safe “box” to enjoy their activities with us.
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Any movement of children out, or into, the grid will take place according to the exit sign so that no personal space is compromised.
GYM EQUIPMENT & HYGIENE
Lesson plans will be adapted to limit the use of gym equipment. When any apparatus or equipment is used, cleaning and disinfecting such items, must take place before and after each class to maintain a sanitary environment. No absorbent or material based items are to be used, limit to plastic or PVC which can be effectively disinfected.
We commit to:
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Not use any items that cannot be cleaned and sanitized before and after each lesson.
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Any item that children have placed in their mouths or that are otherwise contaminated by body secretions or excretions should be set aside until they are thoroughly deep cleaned. (Clean with water and detergent, rinse, sanitize and disinfectant, rinse again, and air-dry.)
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No sharing of any items between children for the duration of a lesson. No sharing of any items with other groups of children, unless they have been washed, sanitized and dried before being moved from one group to the other.
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Clean surfaces using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, to dampen a microfiber cloth with our disinfectant spray and wipe down the entire surface, rewetting the cloth as needed. After disinfection, to use a different dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface to dry it off.
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Keep all cleaning materials secure and out of reach of children.
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Not use cleaning products near children, and to ensure that there is adequate ventilation when using these products to prevent children from inhaling toxic fumes.
We will establish all the hygiene procedures in this policy and make sure that all the children are familiar with, and understand, and observe them while they are in our care. We look forward to working together with all and everyone concerned.
TIPS FOR TALKING TO CHILDREN
Keep information simple and always remind the children that scientists, doctors, nurses and everyone in the health care sector are working hard to help keep them, and their Mommy’s and Daddy’s, safe and healthy from this new virus.
For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems. If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults will help get you any help that you need.
We commit to:
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Remain calm and remember that children will react to both what we say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations we have with them and with others.
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Reassure children that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset.
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Make ourselves available to listen and to talk. Let children know they can come to us when they have questions.
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Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
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Be aware that some children may be exposed to a lot of screen time on television, radio, or online focused on COVID-19. Too much information on this topic can lead to anxiety.
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Provide information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
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Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumours and inaccurate information. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
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Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs. Remind children to wash their hands frequently and stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick. Also, remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
IN CONCLUSION
Share information - Create communication plans to include strategies for sharing information with school staff, parents and anyone else involved in the child care community. Include information about steps being taken by the school, or childcare facility to prepare, and how any additional information will be shared.
Please always let our Instructor know:
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If any child we coach may have been exposed to a suspected case of COVID-19.
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If anyone in your school or child care facility has been in contact with a suspected case of COVID-19
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If any case of COVID-19 (Child, Parent, or staff) is confirmed in your childcare facility or school.
WHY IS MOVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL?
Movement supports a child’s holistic development, and is vital for young children. A lack of movement may prevent healthy development.
Movement with intention:
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Wires up the neural pathways in the brain. 98% of a child’s brain develops in the first 6 years. Physical movement plays a vital role in the creation of the nerve cell networks that are at the core of this brain development.
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Encourages kinaesthetic memory.
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Encourages spatial orientation and spatial concepts.
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Supports balance. We need balance to develop a sense of ourselves in space.
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Supports coordination and strength.
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Encourages children to express their emotions.
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Supports awareness of themselves and others through creative movement.
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Fosters social interactions, and co-operation.
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Supports verbal and non-verbal communication.
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Allows children learn to work within a group dynamic, and develop the skill of turn-taking and team work.
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Supports Literacy. We need a sense of direction to follow words on a page to read, to write, to tell the time.
Through moving, children develop:
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Strong Hearts, Muscles and Bones
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Social Interaction Skills
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Movement and Co-Ordination
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Thinking Skills
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Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
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Emotional Skills
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Communication Skills
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Concentration
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Fundamental Movement Skills
We remain committed to be the ripple in the ocean that leads children to a fitter healthier future.
PLEASE STAY SAFE