I can only speak as a childminder, but we’ve been given little guidance other than to clean thoroughly and wash hands more frequently. I normally work with DH, but not really since the lockdown.
PPE has been suggested among us, but we’ve been assured we don’t need more than our usual gloves when dealing with body fluids and waste.
We are concerned that any masks will scare the children, though I think they’ll probably adapt very quickly.
So, we’ve come up with our own preventions.
Parents not allowed on premises, and social distancing at all times.
Kids, it’s simply impossible. We are, however, washing and gelling hands when they arrive, when they leave, when they’ve been outside, if anyone coughs or sneezes, after using toilet.
We clean wherever they’ve been, especially after coughing or sneezing.
We are not sending anything home, artwork is displayed here and then kept in a folder. Forms are signed digitally.
At the end of the day, all bedding is stripped and boll washed, cot (only one in use atm) is cleaned and disinfected. We did that anyway, except the boil wash.
We’re lucky enough to have a playroom. It is cleaned thoroughly at the end of the day with bleach and soap products. Fabric toys are machine washed; wood toys wiped down, plastic soaked in a mild bleach and disinfectant solution, then rinsed and left to dry.
We’ve removed anything that cannot be washed or cleaned thoroughly and we’ve taken a lot of resources out to cut down on our cleaning.
We also shower and strip and wash our own clothing as soon as the children have left, and again after cleaning.
We are also being very strict about infections and illness. Temperatures are being taken and a child who appears ill or has a temperature is sent home, no arguments (to be fair, I have decent parents who agree with this).
My own children are older and I try to keep them away from the minded children. DS is easy: he’s a young adult and doing college work. DD is much younger and is used to playing with and cuddling the children. She keeps forgetting about social distancing. She does, however, have her schoolwork and DH is keeping her occupied away from us.
I imagine nurseries have their own similar procedures.
Any suggestions gratefully received!