Childcare in coronavirus lockdown for little ones at Serendipitys Day Nursery on Appletongate, Newark

Socially-distanced parents evenings, infant graduations, glorious weather and lots of cuddles ­— this is what childcare in lockdown looked like at a Newark nursery.

Serendipitys Day Nursery on Appletongate wanted to keep things as normal as possible for its little ones during the pandemic and, despite being broken into just before lockdown, the childcare provider did just that.

Those being looked after at Serendipitys in Newark had to be transferred to the nursery’s Balderton branch on London Road following the incident, but manager Sue Pettifor said the children adapted.

“We had about 16 children from Newark and Balderton that we kept together and three staff working some days doing the washing, cooking and cleaning,” she said.

“We were together for a long time and we tried to carry on as normal but there were things we just couldn’t do — like playing in the sand or other activities that could cross-contaminate — but children could play with their own bits of playdough or paint.

“We are trying to keep them apart when eating and enforcing social distancing but we have babies, and you are not going to say no when they need a cuddle.

“Some were quite aware why ­— because of the germs.”

While making most of the sunny and warm weather by having meal times outside, the nursery also ensured normality by going ahead with its graduation ceremony — though parents were unable to attend — and socially-distanced parents evenings for those who needed them.

Sue said: “The feedback we were getting from parents was nice and some even said their younger child’s speech was improving because of being mixed with older children.

“It was almost quite sad when we had to go back to Newark.

“As a nursery we got quite good at what we had to do but, when children started to return back to us, it made us feel on edge even though we were happy to see them.”

Thomas Pickering, acting deputy manager, said it was a shame parents were not allowed to enter the nursery and they had to put days out on pause — like their regular visits to care homes in Newark.

He said: “But we encourage working in partnership with parents, trying to make the nursery a home from home environment.

“We have been forced to use only the things available to us in the nursery but we have done it smiling, keeping things simple — telling children to continue washing their hands and be separate from others because of a ‘bug’ going around.

“Now, the social bubbles have been relaxed and rooms are set out by age group once again.

“Members of staff are still not mixing with each other because it’s about ensuring staff are well too and, here, they are as well looked after in a sense as the children.

“I do think childcare workers deserve more recognition from the government.

“We have a support line where staff can have three sessions with a professional to talk — people may have had family or friends that were affected by the virus.”