Mo's Montessori

COVID-19 Policy Response Plan 14 | Policies & Procedures Respiratory hygiene practice, good respiratory hygiene, that is, when coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub (for adults) and for children soap and water for 40-60 seconds (or hand sanitiser if soap and water not available) and in line with the WHO and HSE recommendations. Staff and children must adopt good respiratory hygiene and etiquette Cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue The Service ensures that tissues are readily accessible throughout the Service with a dedicated pedal operated bin provided in each of the rooms and in the outdoor areas for easy disposal of used tissues. Staff and children should wash their hands after coughing or sneezing Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – the virus enters the body through eyes, nose and mouth so refraining from touching your face drastically reduces the chances of contracting the virus. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The service will have an adequate supply of PPE for use when required by staff including disposable single use plastic aprons and non-powdered, non-permeable gloves e.g. when there is a risk of coming in contact with bodily fluids. Face Masks The government has advised wearing a face mask in public indoor spaces where social distancing is difficult to maintain e.g. public transport, retail outlets. The public health advice is that the wearing of face masks by children under 13 years of age is not recommended and there is no requirement by others to wear masks in the childcare environment. Some specific tasks and roles may require masks e.g. administering some First Aid, caring for a staff member or child who presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at the service, cleaning. We will use face masks in these situations only and will have an adequate supply of surgical masks available. Social distancing Maintain social or physical distancing, that is, leave at least 2 metres (6 feet) distance between adults when staff are not engaged in childcare activity e.g. breaks or arriving at work As part of social distancing a 'no handshaking policy' will be implemented The service recognises that it is not possible for staff to observe physical distancing when caring for young children and it is not practical nor recommended that young children should physically distance from each other in their play pod

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