Baby Sensory Bristol South

Customer Health and Safety Plan

The information provided in this document mirrors Government, NHS and CAA (Children’s Activities Association) health and safety guidelines at the time of writing. 

Purpose of this document

 The purpose of this document is to set out the guidelines under which Baby Sensory businesses will operate to keep our customers and babies, visitors, and Practitioners safe during while restrictions are in place. 

A full copy of the Health and Safety Plan is available upon request from your Practitioner.

Aims

Our aims are to help our customers/parents feel safe and reassured by our standards of health, hygiene, and safety following Government/NHS/CAA guidelines. Our aims will be achieved by adopting the following practices: 

• Limiting the number of individuals in each class.
• Limiting or restricting non-essential visitors.  
• Following social distancing guidelines.
• Implementing good hygiene practices.
• Increasing the length of time between classes for cleaning purposes.
• Providing access to hand sanitiser/handwashing facilities.
• Encouraging regular hand washing/hand sanitisation.
• Cleaning/sanitising props and equipment before/between/after classes.
• Restricting access to the kitchen/office.
• Marking out a one-way system for parents in and out of the venue (where possible).
• Posting notices in appropriate places to draw attention to essential health and hygiene practices, and social distancing requirements.
• Removing unwanted equipment to different parts of the venue or off-site.
• Asking customers to stay home when unwell.
• Restricting unnecessary deliveries or work in the venue during classes.
• Ensuring that information/guidelines are reviewed and updated regularly and communicated to customers.

As our class numbers will be restricted, it may not be possible for additional family members to attend. If it is necessary for an additional family member to attend, please speak to your Practitioner.

Please note: If everyone is well when they come to class (including the Practitioner), the risk of transmitting infection to others is low. If the Practitioner, a customer, or child is unwell or shows symptoms of COVID-19, they must not attend classes.

Cleaning provisions

The following cleaning and disinfecting agents/products will be used to ensure a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness (other cleaning and disinfecting items will be used depending on availability and venue requirements):

Items marked * are classified as hazardous substances will be handled, used, and stored with care. For Care of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), please speak to your Practitioner. 

Risk assessment

In addition to our standard health and safety policy, and risk assessment, an additional risk assessment will be carried out daily following Government/CAA legal and insurance guidelines. The risk assessment will be reviewed and updated regularly, and is available upon request from your Practitioner.

Class register and GDPR

If a customer who has attended physical classes tests positive for COVID-19, the class register will be required as part of the Government’s test and trace system. To protect your privacy (GDPR), the Practitioner will ask the parent (or main caregiver) to give permission to pass on personal information to the NHS test and trace central database.  See: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/

Social distancing

While social distancing measures are in force, the Practitioner will do everything possible to comply with UK Government/NHS/CAA guidelines.

The Practitioner will remind parents of the social distancing guidelines at the beginning of the class and whenever they or their children need to move about or change position. 

Further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safesocial-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

Baby Sensory Class Set-Up

The Practitioner will make changes to the normal Baby Sensory layout to adhere to social distancing.

The Exploratory Play area (EPA) may be adapted and there are a number of approaches the Practitioner may adopt to ensure the safety of parents/babies. For example, leaving spaces between equipment, using easy-clean toys, making the Sensory area and the EPA one and the same, or excluding the EPA altogether.

During the rest-break, parents can stay on their mat or move about being mindful of social distancing, chat to others, and feed/change babies.  

While restrictions are in place, bouncy castles, ball pools, large paddling pools, and soft play equipment will not be used.

Further information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/socialdistancing/what-you-need-to-do/

Minimising physical contact

An explanation will be provided by the Practitioner at the start of the class explaining why physical contact with babies/toddlers is not possible due to social distancing guidelines. 

Adaptations to activities will be temporarily changed to minimise physical contact. For example, rather than holding hands as a group (‘How do you do? ‘song), the parent will hold the child’s hands.

Personal protective equipment

Currently, the Government advises against teachers wearing face coverings in class.  However, in circumstances where the nature of the task requires the Practitioner to be in close contact with others, personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a face covering may be worn. It is optional for the parent to wear a face covering or other PPE in the class. It is not recommended that children under 3 and people with breathing difficulties wear face coverings. 

Current Government guidelines stipulate that singing should be avoided in indoor settings.

Therefore, the Practitioner (or parents) will mime the words to songs or wear a face covering.  Please see the Government online document ‘Safe Working in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)’. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to-do/

Sensory/Activity Area 

To keep parents and babies safe from dust and microorganisms, the Sensory/Activity area floor will be covered with a yellow cloth (taped to the floor) or EVA jigsaw mats.

To provide comfort for parents and babies, mats will be placed on the floor. The Practitioner will remind parents and children not to move mats. 

Prop boxes and Resources 

Individual prop boxes/bags/baskets/bowls containing items for the session for each parent and baby may be provided from a designated collection point. Parents can bring their own props to class. Alternatively, the Practitioner may offer prop packages for purchase, or parents can buy them directly from the online Baby Sensory Shop.

Toilet/nappy changing/washing facilities

While toilet and nappy changing restrictions apply, parents will be asked to bring in their own nappy changing mat, and cleaning materials, and take away soiled nappies for disposal at home. 

Handwashing

Hand washing is one of the most effective defences against infection. Where possible, the Practitioner, parents and toddlers will have access to washing facilities well stocked with soap and paper towels. 

The NHS handwashing poster will be displayed at wash stations and toilet/nappy changing facilities in the venue.

1. Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. 
2. Lather hands by rubbing them together with soap. Lather the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails.
3. Lather hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the ‘Happy Birthday’ song from beginning to end twice. 
4. Rinse hands well under clean, running water.  
5. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them. 

Hand sanitiser 

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 - 95% alcohol will be provided at the entrance to classes (or ‘sanitising station if available) for parents and toddlers to use. There is no requirement to sanitise the hands of babies. Parents will be reminded of this requirement when entering the classroom. Signage will be displayed at the venue entrance to remind parents of this requirement. Parents can bring in their own hand sanitiser.

Tissues

Tissues will be available for parents (and the Practitioner) to use and bins provided for safe disposal. A plastic bag in each bin will ensure that the contents can be easily and hygienically emptied. Gloves will be worn by the Practitioner when emptying bins. 

Eating

Hands will be washed/sanitised prior to eating or drinking. Due to the risk of allergies food should be consumed away from the Exploratory/Adventure/Sensory/Activity area.

If possible, drink bottles with flip-open lids should be used, and any food or drink spills cleaned up immediately. Sharing of food between children (or Practitioners) will be discouraged.

Shoes and footwear

Shoes will be removed by parents, toddlers and the Practitioner upon entry into the class. If possible, socks should be worn. Babies are not required to wear socks. 

If necessary, the Practitioner will change socks during classes if they become dirty or soiled. Shoes will be worn when going to the toilet or outside between classes. Toddlers will ideally remove their socks for safety reasons (i.e. for increased grip during Adventure play). Shoes will be worn when going to the toilet or outside between classes. 

Cleaning of bodily fluids and vomit

If a toddler has an accident in class or a baby brings up milk after a feed, the area will be isolated, soiled items promptly removed, and any mess cleaned up to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Cleaning Props and Resources

All props, resources and equipment will be thoroughly cleaned after each use with microfibre cloths, disposable anti-bacterial food-safe wipes, or hot soapy water before, during, and after classes. To avoid the risk of cross-contamination, a fresh cloth or wipe will be used for each prop. Props and equipment will be dried thoroughly with a dry, clean cloth or left to air dry. 

Alternatively, a solution of anti-bacterial washing up liquid and hot water in a spray bottle will be used to clean props and equipment. The spray bottle will be made up with fresh solution when it becomes cool. Toys and equipment will be dried with a fresh microfibre cloth or left to air dry after cleaning. 

All cleaning products, and bowls containing hot, soapy water, will be stored out of reach of babies and toddlers. Water will be emptied from the washing up bowl at the end of each cleaning session and prior to the arrival of babies. 

Disinfection

For the cleaning of hard surfaces such as door handles, light switches, rails in corridors and stairwells, and equipment, a combined detergent and disinfectant solution will be used. The manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application, and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants will be followed. Wherever possible, splashes and spray when cleaning will be avoided.

First aid

Standard precautions will be adopted when providing first aid. For example, disposable gloves/apron/face coverings will be worn when dealing with blood or body fluids/substances.   

Hands will be cleaned with hand sanitiser or washed with soap and water before and after providing first aid. 

Illness

Anyone (parent/baby/toddler/Practitioner) who is unwell or has a temperature must stay at home. 

The key symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• A high temperature 
• A new continuous cough
• A loss or change to the sense of smell or taste

Most people with COVID-19 have at least one of these symptoms, but not everyone (including babies and children) will display symptoms or have a fever. 

Symptoms will need to be reported as soon as possible or if the Practitioner or customer has been potentially exposed to a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or is suspected to have COVID-19 (even if the individual who is suspected to have COVID-19 has not yet been tested), or if they have undertaken any travel. 

For further information see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testingand-tracing/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/

Even if the Practitioner is not suffering from COVID-19, classes will not be run if he or she is unwell. Make-up options or rescheduled classes will be considered if a replacement Practitioner cannot be found.

For advice (including vulnerable/high risk individuals), symptoms, temperature checks, testing and tracing, social distancing, and self-isolation, please check out the NHS website.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/general-advisory-for-confirmed-or-suspect-case

Steps will continue to be taken to eliminate or minimise so far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of passing COVID-19 on to customers, the Practitioner, and others.   

Individuals who have completed a 14-day quarantine period (either after returning from travel or because they were a close contact with a confirmed case), and did not develop symptoms during quarantine, do not need a medical clearance to return to classes.  The Practitioner will not ask these individuals to be tested for COVID-19, but if unsure, will contact Public Health England for advice. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

To view our guidelines in more detail, please ask your Practitioner for the full Health and Safety Plan.

 The above information will be reviewed and updated as more information becomes available from the Government/NHS/CAA.