Find My Lighthouse

LIGHTHOUSE CENTRAL Covid-19 Policy

 Updated: 22nd February 2022

Definitions

Throughout this policy, the term ‘Lighthouse’ shall be taken to mean, collectively:

  • Lighthouse Beaconsfield, Registered Charity No.1151896
  • Lighthouse Bletchley South, Registered Charity No.1187747
  • Lighthouse Bourne End, Registered Charity No.1180779
  • Lighthouse Burnham, Registered Charity No. 1182190
  • Lighthouse Cressex, Registered Charity No. 1183476
  • Lighthouse Hazlemere, Registered Charity No. 1178562
  • Lighthouse High Wycombe, Registered Charity No. 1114541
  • Lighthouse Langley, Registered Charity No. 1181000
  • Lighthouse Loudwater, Registered Charity No. 1197125 
  • Lighthouse Mansfield, Registered Charity No. 1164680
  • Lighthouse Marlow, Registered Charity No. 1178062
  • Lighthouse Princes Risborough, Registered Charity No. 1178119
  • Lighthouse Shelswell, Registered Charity No. 1187651
  • Lighthouse Central, Registered Charity No. 1169839

Lighthouse recognises that careful planning is essential in order to keep the children and our volunteers safe, and to limit the spread of coronavirus/Covid-19, within our setting. Accordingly, we will conduct a thorough Covid-19 risk assessment for Lighthouse sites running in the summer of 2022 and will review it whenever Government guidance changes.

Procedure for infection or suspected infection

Any child who becomes ill with symptoms which could be Covid-19 while at Lighthouse will be isolated from the other children by at least two metres until the child can be collected by his or her parents. If the child becomes seriously ill, we will call 999. 

If a child or volunteer has suspected symptoms of Covid-19, they will be sent home and must follow the Government guidance for households with possible Covid-19 infection. This includes self-isolation and taking a Covid-19 test. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Lighthouse will remain open until advised otherwise by the local Health Protection Team, but parents and volunteers will be informed, especially those in high risk groups.

If children or volunteers experience any symptoms of Covid-19 they must not attend the Lighthouse until all symptoms have passed and they feel well.

Infection control

Like the common cold and flu viruses, Covid-19 is spread by:

  • Infected people passing the virus to others through large droplets when coughing, sneezing, or even talking within a close distance.
  • Direct contact with an infected person: for example, if you shake or hold their hand, and then touch your own mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.
  • Touching objects (eg door handles, light switches) that have previously been touched by an infected person, then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands. Viruses can survive longer on hard surfaces than on soft or absorbent surfaces.

We will assess in each of these areas to reduce the risk of catching or spreading Covid-19 at  Lighthouse

  1. Hygiene:
  2. Cleaning:
  3. Arrivals and departures:
  4. Premises
  5. Movement around the site
  6. Activity planning:
  7. Food:
  8. Promoting good practice


Closure

We may need to close the site if we have insufficient volunteers due to illness to run sessions safely. In the event that we have a number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 associated with the Lighthouse site, we may need to close if advised to do so by the local Health Protection Team  (HPT) in order to limit the spread of the virus. If the site needs to close, the Management team will notify parents or carers as soon as possible.

 
Thames Valley HPT (South East)

This team covers: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire

Public Health England, Chilton, Oxon OX11 0RQ

Email tvphe@phe.gov.uk
Telephone 0344 225 3861
Out of hours urgent enquiries 0844 967 0083


UKHSA East Midlands Health Protection Team

This team covers: Nottinghamshire County

Public Health England, Seaton House City Link,
Nottingham,
NG2 4LA

Phone: 0344 2254 524


East of England HPT

This team covers: Milton Keynes

UK Health Security Agency Suite 1 First Floor Nexus Harlow Innovation Park London Road Harlow Essex CM17 9LX

Email eastofenglandhpt@phe.gov.uk
Telephone 0300 303 8537


Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2017): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Health [3.44].