Scottish Government issues new advice for schools providing care to children during Covid-19 pandemic

The Scottish Government has issued advice for schools providing care to children during the Covid-19 pandemic - including smaller class sizes, increased handwashing, and more outdoor learning activities.

The new guidance was published in the Government's 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) physical distancing in education' document.

It comes after Nicola Sturgeon said school pupils in Scotland won’t be returning to the classroom on a full-time basis before August.

Speaking at her daily briefing from the Scottish Government's HQ in Edinburgh on Friday, the First Minister said: “It is a reasonable thing for me to say right now - bearing in mind these decisions have not been taken in any final sense.

The Scottish Government has issued new advice to schools.

“But it is not going to be the case that schools are back to normal in any way, shape or form this side of the summer holidays.”

Read more – Nicola Sturgeon rules out schools in Scotland reopening on full-time basis before August

When schools in Scotland finally do reopen, they have now been told they should avoid pupils sharing food, have staggered lunch and break times, and reduce large groups of children gathering.

The document also states parents should avoid gathering in playgrounds and educate their children about physical distancing in schools before classes return.

Here is the Scottish Government’s new guidance in full:

Implementing physical distancing in the childcare setting:

It is recognised that it is not possible to fully social-distance within education and childcare settings with very young children and with children who have complex needs or disabilities. Staff should implement the measures outlined in the non-healthcare settings guidance, whilst ensuring children are kept safe and well cared for within their settings.

It is essential that a holistic approach is maintained in caring for children and that care providers are alert to the stress that many of the children that are attending the care setting may be experiencing. For vulnerable children difficult home situations may be exacerbated. For children of key workers, there may be anxieties related to their parent’s welfare and health while at work.

This means that it is important where possible to ensure that children’s emotional needs are anticipated in considering what the requirements are for staffing. This will also be an anxious time for many of the staff too and it is essential that their health and wellbeing is considered. There may be additional challenges helping these groups of children navigate this difficult time.

For children and young people with the most complex additional support needs ensure that you involve lead professionals and parents to decide how best to continue supporting them. It is important to tailor the care situation to the child where possible.

Staffing:

– Consider how you need to support staff who are working in your setting

– Ensure that the facilities for staff allow for physical distancing

– Ensure that the staff attending are aware of the most up to date Covid-19 information on the NHS inform website.

– Ensure that you have the right staff to support the physical and emotional needs of children and staff

– Ensure staff to child ratios are tailored to the requirements due to physical distancing (i.e. fewer children in a room) and changing pupil mix and support requirements

Implementing physical distancing measures:

Consider how you can implement physical distancing in your setting

– Evaluate what additional support you need to implement physical distancing measures in your setting

– Ensure class or group sizes reflect the numbers of staff available and are kept small enough to allow for physical distancing

– Ensure sufficient staff numbers to keep group sizes small

– Ensure sufficient equipment available for each room/group space

– Discourage parents and carers from gathering outside the setting

– Discourage unnecessary entry of parents and others to the setting

– Consider how children travel and arrive at the education and childcare setting:

– Consider how children arrive to facilitate for physical distancing

– Reduce any unnecessary travel on coaches, buses or public transport

– Consider how you structure the care environment to allow for physical distancing:

– Number of rooms and size of space

– Desk or play equipment spacing

– Toileting and handwashing facilities

– Snack and lunch provision

– Outdoor play space

–Consider how you structure your learning:

– Individual working (for older children)

– Group work using technology

– Alternative approaches that allow for physical distancing (for example during games and activities)

– Consider the content of your teaching and support:

– Tailor key messages and information to the children in your care

– Careful and considered communication about risks and behaviours

– Hygiene

– Personal resilience

– Mental health

– Staying healthy

– Staying fit

– Consider how you structure the routine:

– Staggered arrival and departure times

– Stagger lunch times, break times and the movement of pupils around the setting to reduce large groups of children gathering

– Enhanced cleaning routines (increased frequency)

– Review catering provision (limit or avoid shared foods)

– Develop a clear procedure for what staff should do if a pupil starts to display symptoms of Covid-19 when at school including guidance on the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) adhering to HPS non healthcare settings guidance

What staff can encourage parents to do:

– Inform parents and communities about the measures that you are taking and get their help to implement them

– Talk to their children about coronavirus (COVID-19), physical distancing and handwashing

– Do not gather at entrances or in playgrounds, and model social distancing so that their children learn good practice.

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