FOLLOWING months of speculation about the future of nurseries and schools a Glasgow childcare provider has published an insight into life after lockdown.

Busy Bees at Glasgow Heritage and Glasgow Kelvin have confirmed that its health and safety plans won’t require children to play in hoops and bubbles as some schools have suggested.

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

Nursery pupils still won’t be able to use playdough, play with sandpits or create water games but they won’t have to follow floor markings, wear face masks or adhere to timed toilet breaks.

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All children will have their temperature checked upon arrival, with family members waiting two metres apart at drop off and pick up. Regular temperature checks for both children and team members will continue throughout the day, as will frequent handwashing and disinfecting of communal areas.

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

Emily Brimson-Keight, head of safety at Busy Bees, said: “There has been much speculation about how life after lockdown will look in nurseries and schools, and parents are understandably very anxious.

“The biggest priority for us is, and always will be, the safety and happiness of the children in our care. That’s why we have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare to open the centres since they first went into lockdown. We are constantly sharing ideas and looking at best practice to ensure the personal and emotional wellbeing for children and team members as they begin to return.

“We’re committed to providing the best start in life for children, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. Now the lockdown is being relaxed, we’re keen to offer assurance and debunk the myths about the new normal for parents at such a stressful time, and we are confident our plans ensure the safety and crucially, the development and happiness of children when we welcome them back.”

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As part of its plans for life after lockdown, Busy Bees is also proposing a ‘school readiness fast track’ programme, whereby all children starting school in August are allowed to remain at nursery for one or two terms, depending on their age or developmental stage. The programme would ensure that the valuable time that has been missed on preparing children for school is made up to ensure that children are not disadvantaged.

The programme would also give schools a full term to help pupils already attending school to catch up with any missed learning whilst practicing safe social distancing, in an environment familiar to the child amidst the disruption.

For more information visit www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/join-us