Life after lockdown for little ones in Southwell as childcare provider Busy Bees unveils reopening plans

No playdough, sandpits or water games and no floor markings for children's play areas or timed toilet breaks. This is the life after lockdown for a Southwell nursery provider, which reopens its pre-schools this week.

Busy Bees, the UK’s leading provider of quality childcare and early years education, has confirmed health and safety plans for its Allenby Road nursery won’t require children to play in hoops as some schools have suggested.

Instead, it will focus on dividing children into close friendship groups, limiting the number of people children come into contact with, reducing the space that children can explore and increasing the time spent outdoors.

All children and staff will have their temperature checked upon arrival and regularly throughout the day, and those families waiting to enter the nursery will be asked to stand two metres apart at drop-off and pick-up. Frequent handwashing and disinfecting of communal areas will also be undertaken.

The childcare provider will try and keep life as close to normal for children, with team members advised to cuddle their key children if they become upset during the day and to only wear face masks for temperature checks.

Emily Brimson-Keight, head of safety at Busy Bees, said: “There is much speculation about how life after lockdown could look in nurseries and schools, and parents are understandably very anxious. The biggest priority for us is, and always will be, the safety, welfare and happiness of the children in our care.

"That’s why we have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare to open all centres, including those in Southwell, since they first went into lockdown, and we are constantly sharing ideas and looking at best practice to ensure personal and emotional wellbeing for children and team members.

“Now the lockdown is being relaxed, we’re keen to offer assurance and debunk the myths about the new normal for parents at this unique time, and are confident our plans ensure the safety and crucially, the development and happiness of children.”

As part of its plans for life after lockdown, Busy Bees will also continue its school readiness programme for those children starting school this September, using the time they still have left at nursery to prepare them for school.

To enquire about a place at Busy Bees, please visit www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk or call 01543 678450.