COVID-19

8 September 2021

To all Whanau, Families and Staffof Learning Links and The Farmyard

Re: COVID 19 UPDATE

 

We are all set to welcome families back from this Thursday with the centre now operating its normal hours.

Since the announcement on Tuesday, we have been reviewing all the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health guidelines for Level 2.  A copy of these documents and our work safe plan is now on our website.

Craig Bleakley from Crombie Lockwood who is a Workplace Risk Manager has again reviewed these documents and makes the following comments:

“I have reviewed all of the documentation, and your revised safety plan, and am satisfied to endorse the measures and protocols that you will have in place.  It was interesting to see that the MoE has not made the use of Hand Sanitiser to be a compulsory action, it was very good though to see that you have maintained the use of sanitiser for all staff and families on site for drop offs/pickups.

Whilst Level 2 may seem like a return to normal, all staff and families need to be hyper-vigilant in the following of the standard safety protocols and to keep away from the centre if a staff member or child are showing any cold/flu symptoms.  There are still community cases getting reported in the Auckland area and it would only take one single event contact event to close down your centre and require strict isolation measures. Continue to err on the side of caution every time and don’t assume a “she’ll be right” attitude if you have a sore throat, high-ish temperature or runny nose. It is simply not worth the risk.”

We can confirm the following conditions for Level 2.

  • Parents are asked to keep any sick children at home. If a sick child comes to the service, or shows symptoms, send them home. The same principle applies for staff.
  • Young children require a lot of physical support and it is not possible to explain or maintain a physical distance between young children given the age of the children and set up of centres. This means good hygiene practices are even more important. There does not need to be a measurable physical distance between children or children and staff.
  • Ensure all children and adults regularly wash and dry their hands.
  • Ensure hand sanitiser is available for use and should be used on entering the centre by all.
  • Outdoor play areas can be used, including sandpits.
  • Excursions can recommence.
  • Disinfect and clean all surfaces daily.
  • Contact tracing (via tablet logon) must be in place to record who is on site every day.
  • Face masks are not required and this is an individual choice.
  • Food / drinks/utensils are not to be shared.
  • For those centres with commercial kitchens a more simple meal will be provided this Thursday and Friday before resuming our Winter menu on Monday.

When you come to the centre you will see signage encouraging social distancing and requiring the use of hand sanitisers on entry to the centre. We will maintain contact tracing through the use of the sign in / out tablets as usual.

As mentioned earlier, all centres will return to normal operating hours and fees will recommence from this Thursday.  If this does cause financial difficulty, please talk in confidence to the centre manager/supervisor and we will work with you.  If your child is not returning this week, then there is nothing further you need to do, and we look forward to seeing you next week.

Jo and I would like to pay special thanks to all the amazing staff who have worked so tirelessly since the start of the lockdown either in front of the camera or behind the scenes, thank you.

As always if you have any questions or concerns at all please talk to us.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Thank you once again

Joanna Purdie                    Gavin Hazelden

6 September 2021

To all Whanau and Familiesof Learning Links and The Farmyard

Re: COVID 19 UPDATE

With the Prime Minister announcing earlier today the movement to Level 2 we look forward to welcoming all of you back from Thursday 9 September.

Whilst we await Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health final guidelines for Level 2, we are working on the same principles of Level 2 as we have done in the past.

You can be assured that in Alert Level 2 we will know who is at our service, who our staff and children have been in close contact with and take appropriate measures to keep everyone safe. All our Centre Managers/ Supervisorshave worked through operating in Level 3 and have a firm grip over the new policies/procedures.

Again, given the importance of getting the best possible advice; we engaged Craig Bleakley from Crombie Lockwood who is a Workplace Risk Manager with experience in ECE.  We have shared with him our Covid 19 Safety Plan and  the relevant Ministry of Education (MOE) bulletins. He will also be reviewing the updated Ministry and Ministry of Health updated guidelines as soon as they arrive tomorrow.

Based on information we have received to date; we expect more than 90% of families will be with us from this Thursday and the remainder joining us from Monday.  On that basis the centre will be open as usual with a full team from Thursday and fees will recommence.  If this does cause any hardship, please contact your centre manager and we can work with you.

For those centres who have a commercial kitchen facility we will on the Thursday and Friday provide a simpler menu to meet the nutritional needs of your child before gearing up for the full menu from Monday.

In terms of guidelines we would expect to be announced these will be:

  • Parents are asked to keep any sick children at home. If a sick child comes to the service, or shows symptoms, send them home.
  • Young children require a lot of physical support and it is not possible to explain or maintain a physical distance between young children given the age of the children and set up of centres. This means good hygiene practices are even more important. There does not need to be a measurable physical distance between children or children and staff.
  • Ensure all children and adults regularly wash and dry their hands.
  • Ensure hand sanitiser is available but staff/kaimahi supervise its location and use.
  • Outdoor play areas can be used, including sandpits.
  • Disinfect and clean all surfaces daily.
  • Contact tracing must be in place to record who is on site every day.

When you come to the centre you will see signage encouraging social distancing and requiring the use of hand sanitisers on entry to the centre. We will maintain contact tracing through the use of the sign in / out tablets as usual.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns at all please talk to us.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Thank you once again

Joanna Purdie                    Gavin Hazelden

2pm 31 August 2021

To all Whanau, Families and staff of Learning Links Childcare and The Farmyard

 

Re: Covid 19 Update

For those essential workers or those who cannot work from home we have arranged for all centres (except Alexandra St Te Awamutu where children will attend Rewi St during L3) to be open. We have sent you a separate letter earlier today outlining procedures that need to be adhered to. Please read this carefully as it ensures the safety of everyone during Level 3 operations.

Staff who are working at the centres have this morning reviewed all the necessary documentation for operating in Level 3.

Given the importance of getting the best possible advice; we engaged Craig Bleakley from Crombie Lockwood who is a Workplace Risk Manager with experience in Early Childhood Education.  We have shared with him our Covid 19 Safety Plan, MOE Covid 19 guidance, 29& 30 August Early Learning Bulletin and the Early Learning Service Checklist for Alert Level 3. He has reviewed all of these documents and confirms we have put in place all necessary steps for preserving everyone’s safety. A copy of these documents will be on our websites shortly or available at the centre.  Craig will also work with us as we progress to Level 2 and Level 1 ensuring we receive and implement the best possible practices.

For those of you who have children remaining at home, our team will continue to support you during Level 3.

Please note that families will not receive an invoice today as you normally would. For children attending the centre from Wednesday 1 September (Level 3), invoices will be emailed next Tuesday 8 September. Children not attending will remain at zero fees.

Thank you once again for your support and like you we look forward to heading down to Level 2 where all children will be permitted to attend.

If there is anything further we can do to assist and support you please reach out to the Centre Manager or give Jo or myself a call.

 

Kind Regards

Joanna Purdie                    Gavin Hazelden

31 August 2021

To Families attending Learning Links and The Farmyard during Level 3.

 

Thank you for entrusting us to take care of your child during Level 3.

Given the importance of getting the best possible advice; we again this year engaged Craig Bleakley from Crombie Lockwood who is a Workplace Risk Manager with experience in Early Childhood Education.  We have shared with him our Covid 19 Safety Plan, MOE Covid 19 guidance, 29& 30August Early Learning Bulletin and the Early Learning Service Checklist for Alert Level 3.

Craig has advised compared to coming out of Level 4 last year when the risk of further community transmission was negligible, we are in a different situation this time round with the aggressive Delta variant and our behaviour has to match the change in risk.

With Auckland still producing active community cases, we still need to have the “act as if you have Covid” mindset to a degree when interacting in shared spaces, especially around the expectations of family members wearing masks, using hand sanitiser and practicing social distancing.  The risk of being exposed to Covid-19 is significantly lower in most other parts of the country compared to Auckland, but we cannot allow any variance to the Safety Plan which will be implemented by Learning Links / The Farmyard. These steps are in in place for preserving everyone’s safety.  If this plan is followed, then everyone is in the best possible position to keep safe.

So, what this this all mean?  On the day there will be some changes to normal Childcare services and we have summarised them as below.  Each Centre Manager will be available to answer any questions. Alternatively feel free to call our Director, Gavin Hazelden on 021 799644 or Joanna Purdie on 021 361 822 at any time.

On the day for all families and staff attending

What will be different for families, children, staff and visitors in order to comply with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Education guidelines.

  • Our bubble is limited to 10 children. These children will be the same 10 during the week. Only one bubble will operate in the centre except in Taupo where 2 bubbles will operate; albeit they will remain separate from each other and will not share the indoor/outdoor play areas.
  • Please note the Te Awamutu Alexandra St Centre will be closed with those children attending the Te Awamutu centre at Rewi St.
  • All families and children will need to remain outside until invited in by the teacher to the reception area. If it is  raining or weather poor, families can come inside to reception as long as social distancing is maintained.
  • All families and children to remain at reception until invited in by the teacher to the room.
  • We highly recommend only 1 family member enter the centre with the child. The adult will need to wear a face mask.
  • All other visitors / couriers etc may not enter the building.
  • In the first instance Hand sanitizer to be used at reception by all people entering the centre.
  • One teacher will be assigned the duty of signing in/out the child on the tablet rather than each parent using the tablet. The parent will need to advise their Pin number to ensure we can trace this person if required (Please note the person who are dropping of the child need to use their own individual pin number. Our teams will have a print out of the families pin number as required). The teacher will wipe the tablet after use. All parents will need to complete morning wellness check and supply their contact details if not already held.
  • If you or someone in your bubble is unwell please do not attend. Contact Healthline or your GP.
  • We are not permitted to provide meals. Families will need to provide lunchboxes for all meals. We will provide water and if it is usual to provide your child’s water bottle then that can continue.
  • Children’s bags can continue to be placed in lockers and teachers can assist.
  • For shared services such as toilets, handbasins, nappy change and door handles we will stagger the use of these and clean between use.
  • Teachers will carry out touch point sanitization on a regular basis.
  • Our cleaning team will disinfect surfaces and resources each evening including child lockers used.
  • The sandpit area will not be available for use during Level 3. There will also be restrictions on outdoor areas available.
  • We will adopt a zero tolerance for all unwell people. The most important aspect is regular communication between all of us.
  • We will encourage social distancing and our team will balance this and the practicalities of providing the love and care your child needs. Again please keep communicating with us as these are all new times.
  • All people attending will regularly wash and dry their hands, we will discourage touching faces and encourage children not to as well. We will remind everyone about coughing in their elbows or into a tissue to be disposed of.
  • All excursions have ceased until further notice. All staff and children will remain onsite for the duration of the day.

Thank you once again for your support.

 

On our website you can access (or simply ask us for a copy of the following)

  • Letter to families, Letter to Staff, Ministry of Education Bulletins, Covid 19 Guidance from Ministry of Education, Checklist for Alert L3, Alert L3 Table, Worksafe Plan.

 

Kind Regards

Joanna Purdie                    Gavin Hazelden

31 August 2021

To our team attending Learning Links / The Farmyard during Level 3.

Thank you for your support and commitment at this time.

Given the importance of getting the best possible advice; we again this year engaged Craig Bleakley from Crombie Lockwood who is a Workplace Risk Manager with experience in Early Childhood Education.  We have shared with him our Covid 19 Safety Plan, MOE Covid 19 guidance, 29& 30 August Early Learning Bulletin and the Early Learning Service Checklist for Alert Level 3.

Craig has advised compared to coming out of Level 4 last year when the risk of further community transmission was negligible, we are in a different situation this time round with the aggressive Delta variant and our behaviour has to match the change in risk.

With Auckland still producing active community cases, we still need to have the “act as if you have Covid” mindset to a degree when interacting in shared spaces, especially around the expectations of family members wearing masks, using hand sanitiser and practicing social distancing.  The risk of being exposed to Covid-19 is significantly lower in most other parts of the country compared to Auckland, but we cannot allow any variance to the Safety Plan which will be implemented by Learning Links / The Farmyard. These steps are in in place for preserving everyone’s safety.  If this plan is followed, then everyone is in the best possible position to keep safe.

Your Action – Please read the following: The Worksafe Plan, Covid 19 Guidance, Checklist for L3 and both the 30 and 31 August Ministry of Education Bulletin.

Your Centre Manager / Supervisor will review this in detail with yourselves prior to opening to ensure everyone understands and agrees with the protocols. We encourage all our team especially the ones attending during Level 3 lockdown to review all attached documents. They will then ask for confirmation that you have read and understood these documents in order for us to advise families early this afternoon.

As always, you should feel free to contact us at anytime if there is anything you need help with or are unsure of.  Marie can be contacted on 021 361 852 for Learning Links or you can call Gavin on 021 799644 or Jo on 021 361 822.

 

Kind Regards

Joanna Purdie                    Gavin Hazelden

1pm 27 August 2021

To all Whanau, Families and staff of Learning Links Childcare and The Farmyard.

 

Re: Covid 19 Update

Whilst we are yet to be advised of any change in Levels this afternoon; we continue to plan around the various scenarios.

What we would now like to do is better understand and firm up on is the needs of parents who are Essential Workers or who cannot work from home.

Whilst we have the Childcare criteria from 2020, we have not yet been advised what if any changes to attendance criteria may be this time around.  So at this stage without 2021 Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health updated guidelines; we cannot confirm yet if the Centre can meet the requirements or if there is any demand to open in Level 3 or indeed who is permitted by Government for their child to attend in level 3.

However, we are today asking Essential workers if you could advise us by email as soon as possible only if you do require care for your child under level 3; the ideal hours of attendance and days of the week. We will need to consolidate this parent information on Monday so can we request that in the reply email you advise your child name and centre location in the subject line of the return email.  We understand that at the start of the Lockdown many of you have already advised the Centre Manager / Supervisor.  Given circumstances may have changed we do need you to resend by replying to this email.

As the response we have from you will determine the processes over coming weeks it is important to note that we will not be able to provide adhoc or unplanned care during level 3.  We will in essence lock in your enrolment needs and plan on that basis.

What we do not have yet is Ministry of Education or Ministry of Health Policy Advice for this lockdown regarding how Childcare Services could operate in a bubble environment or what that means for your child, our families and our staff. Last year we were able to provide a maximum starting bubble of 10 and could expand the number of bubbles over time.

Once we have all of this information, including parent needs we can then meet with everyone in the our team to determine; if there is demand to open; and if there is demand, what resourcing would be required and what preparation is then needed in respect of Health & Safety advice.  We would then over coming days make ready any centres that are required to be opened.

Until we have parent feedback, we do not know if all centres will be required to open during level 3, or the number of teachers that may be needed. Again any decision we make will be in full consultation with families as well as each of the team.

For the team we will take into account  specific personal, family and health needs as part of this decision process. The decision to work will be a personal choice of each respective member of our team and the health and wellbeing of everyone remains our key priority.

If we were to open for essential workers and those parents who cannot work from home, our expectation is that Childcare would be available two days after the commencement of Level 3.

The first day would be a teacher only day for those working. In 2020 for staff where centres did open we had a 3 day and 2 day teacher team who rotated each week in their bubble. Where there is only a very small demand then a balance may be a smaller team working shorter hours over the week. We will work through this detail based on demand if any. For staff working in the centre there is no expectation of you having to work from home.

Our expectation is that we will communicate with everyone shortly after a Level 3 date is provided.

During level 3 for parents who do need Childcare, we unfortunately need to charge parent fees to partially offset some costs; however as always if this does present difficulties please let us know.

What we need you to do now is – Families who require care please consider your needs during lockdown and if you do require care please reply to this email as soon as possible with your childs name, hours and days required and the centre location.

If you have any other questions at this time please feel free to reply to this email and again we will do our best to assist.

For all staff  – Your Centre Manager/ Supervisor will be in contact on Monday as we receive more information from Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and to understand your ability to work if needed during Level 3.

 

Thank you once again.

Joanna Purdie      Gavin Hazelden


20 August 2021

To all Whanau, Families and staff of The Farmyard

Re: Covid 19 update 20 August

As you are by now aware, the decision has been made to extend the nationwide Level 4 lockdown to midnight Tuesday 24 August.

For parents, all fees will continue to be suspended whilst in lockdown. Ministry of Education has also reconfirmed ChildcareServices cannot be provided for essential workers during Level 4.  Here is the link with more information  https://mailchi.mp/education/early-learning-bulletin-19-august-2021

In addition to Story Park and Facebook, there are several online resources on our website which many families found useful during the last lockdown.

https://thefarmyard.school.nz/learning-at-home/

For staff, normal pay continues, and we thank you for supporting families and whanau via online options.

All usual emails will continue to be checked and updates will take place via email and Storypark.

 

Kind Regards

Joanna Purdie Gavin Hazelden

Directors

 


Closure of Childcare centre effective immediately – COVID 19

 

At the instruction of Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Government we are required to close with immediate effect. This is for three days throughout New Zealand, except Auckland where it will be seven days.

For parents we have suspended all parent fees whilst closed for the lockdown. There is nothing you need to do. With invoices sent out today, a credit will be applied and details will be shown in your next invoice.

All usual emails will continue to be checked and updates will take place via email.

OUR SCHOOL

The Farmyard offers a rural discovery-based sustainable early learning environment, which is inspired by Waldorf/Steiner education.
Our educational goals aim to provide a well-balanced programme of learning and development through participatory hands-on experiences which encourage resilience, and guide investigation to motivate a love of lifelong learning.

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