We are pleased to say we are open with a limited number of spaces and are only working within a single setting policy. We are hoping to open as normal in September but are waiting further government guidelines
23/4/20
Dear Parents
We would like check in with you all and make sure that everyone is managing during this challenging time.
We are asking for everyone to send a reply back via email so we can ensure that we can support/give information as required.
From your child’s voice please let us know some of the things you have been enjoying at home?
We are looking to continue to add activity/learning ideas to the website weekly, but should you have any concerns or feel like there is specific information or support you may need please can you specify in the reply.
For those children going to school in September can you please let me know what school your child was allocated, whether it was 1st 2nd or 3rd choice and if you will be making an appeal. This ensures we have the correct information for when we complete the transition documents for school.
New home learning will be uploaded on the preschool website tomorrow and includes a couple of special video treats!!
We will be contacting any family that we have not heard back from to ensure that everything is ok.
Kind regards
Preschool Team
Dear Parents
We would like check in with you all and make sure that everyone is managing during this challenging time.
We are asking for everyone to send a reply back via email so we can ensure that we can support/give information as required.
From your child’s voice please let us know some of the things you have been enjoying at home?
We are looking to continue to add activity/learning ideas to the website weekly, but should you have any concerns or feel like there is specific information or support you may need please can you specify in the reply.
For those children going to school in September can you please let me know what school your child was allocated, whether it was 1st 2nd or 3rd choice and if you will be making an appeal. This ensures we have the correct information for when we complete the transition documents for school.
New home learning will be uploaded on the preschool website tomorrow and includes a couple of special video treats!!
We will be contacting any family that we have not heard back from to ensure that everything is ok.
Kind regards
Preschool Team
Whilst we are currently closed, preschool are still here to support you. If there is anything you need please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Below is a list of external Support networks available if required:-
If you feel at immediate risk of harm call 999 Police
If worried/anxious/ or just want to talk contact…..
Childline
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Free, 24-hour telephone helpline for children and young people anywhere in the UK. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
The Mix
0808 808 4994
www.themix.org.uk
Essential support for under 25s. Phone, Email, Web support and Counselling.
www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/crisis-messenger - The Mix's Crisis Messenger text service is available 24/7 and open to anyone aged 25 or under living in the UK.
If you're in crisis and need to talk, text THEMIX to 85258
Samaritans:
Helpline: 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org
24hr service offering emotional support
Runaway Helpline:
116 000
Email - 116000@runawayhelpline.org.uk
www.runawayhelpline.org.uk
Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact the Helpline if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused. You can call or text for free, 24 hours a day. It's all confidential.
Shout
is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s a free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime. Text 85258
Kooth
www.kooth.com
Free, safe and anonymous support for young people
Monday – Friday 12pm-10pm
Saturday – Sunday6pm – 10pm
Young Devon
Young Devon run a homelessness prevention scheme in Exeter, they can help 16 & 17yr olds and care leavers.
01392 331666 and ask to speak to the Homeless Prevention Team or email yes.exeter@youngdevon.org
If you are under 18 call the Social Service Emergency Duty team 0345600 0388
Below is a list of external Support networks available if required:-
If you feel at immediate risk of harm call 999 Police
If worried/anxious/ or just want to talk contact…..
Childline
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Free, 24-hour telephone helpline for children and young people anywhere in the UK. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
The Mix
0808 808 4994
www.themix.org.uk
Essential support for under 25s. Phone, Email, Web support and Counselling.
www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/crisis-messenger - The Mix's Crisis Messenger text service is available 24/7 and open to anyone aged 25 or under living in the UK.
If you're in crisis and need to talk, text THEMIX to 85258
Samaritans:
Helpline: 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org
24hr service offering emotional support
Runaway Helpline:
116 000
Email - 116000@runawayhelpline.org.uk
www.runawayhelpline.org.uk
Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact the Helpline if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused. You can call or text for free, 24 hours a day. It's all confidential.
Shout
is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s a free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime. Text 85258
Kooth
www.kooth.com
Free, safe and anonymous support for young people
Monday – Friday 12pm-10pm
Saturday – Sunday6pm – 10pm
Young Devon
Young Devon run a homelessness prevention scheme in Exeter, they can help 16 & 17yr olds and care leavers.
01392 331666 and ask to speak to the Homeless Prevention Team or email yes.exeter@youngdevon.org
If you are under 18 call the Social Service Emergency Duty team 0345600 0388
Dear parents,
We hope you are all safe and well, it is with heavy heart that I am writing this email. Unfortunately we will not be opening the preschool after Easter. In order to keep the setting sustainable in the long term, it is not viable to open for just one or two children. Our expenses would exceed our income and would ultimately put the setting in jeopardy. Therefore we are going to close for the time being.
These are unprecedented times and the situation is changing constantly. The current advise from the Government is that we must stay at home, to reduce the spread of the virus. This also applies to children, therefore if your child has an older sibling at home who is not attending, college, university or work, your child should stay at home. If you have a day when you are not at work your child should stay at home. If an adult in your household is working from home, your child should stay at home.
If none of these guidelines apply to you and you are struggling to find childcare in order to leave your home and work on the front line, I have enclosed a link for alternative provision https://services.pinpointdevon.co.uk/kb5/devon/services/results.page?qt=coronaviruscovid&communitychannel=11&term=&sorttype=relevance&spradius
If you do need to take advantage of the alternative provision, please could you let me know. If we do see a rise in the number of parents that require support during this time and its financially sustainable for our setting we will of course open.
I hope that you understand that this decision has not been taken lightly, we want to ensure that our setting is sustainable for many years to come, offering high standards of care and provision.
We will upload home learning ideas and activities to the website every 7-10 days.
Take care everyone and we hope to see you all really soon. Happy Easter from us all.
Best Wishes
George
Georgina Maddocks
Heavitree Community Preschool
We hope you are all safe and well, it is with heavy heart that I am writing this email. Unfortunately we will not be opening the preschool after Easter. In order to keep the setting sustainable in the long term, it is not viable to open for just one or two children. Our expenses would exceed our income and would ultimately put the setting in jeopardy. Therefore we are going to close for the time being.
These are unprecedented times and the situation is changing constantly. The current advise from the Government is that we must stay at home, to reduce the spread of the virus. This also applies to children, therefore if your child has an older sibling at home who is not attending, college, university or work, your child should stay at home. If you have a day when you are not at work your child should stay at home. If an adult in your household is working from home, your child should stay at home.
If none of these guidelines apply to you and you are struggling to find childcare in order to leave your home and work on the front line, I have enclosed a link for alternative provision https://services.pinpointdevon.co.uk/kb5/devon/services/results.page?qt=coronaviruscovid&communitychannel=11&term=&sorttype=relevance&spradius
If you do need to take advantage of the alternative provision, please could you let me know. If we do see a rise in the number of parents that require support during this time and its financially sustainable for our setting we will of course open.
I hope that you understand that this decision has not been taken lightly, we want to ensure that our setting is sustainable for many years to come, offering high standards of care and provision.
We will upload home learning ideas and activities to the website every 7-10 days.
Take care everyone and we hope to see you all really soon. Happy Easter from us all.
Best Wishes
George
Georgina Maddocks
Heavitree Community Preschool
| child_care_request_form.docx |
Thank you for bearing with us today. We apologise if things have been a little disjointed, this has been a very surreal day.
Just to be clear all COVID 19 updates will be published on the website. Sessions required for key workers with no alternative childcare can only be booked on a week by week basis. In order to request a session you will need to return the booking form (located on the website) by the required deadline each week.
We are obviously working on skeleton staff and the situation is very volatile, therefore please understand changes may occur.
We will also add a weekly home learning sheet to the COVID 19 page weekly.
We hope normality returns soon, and we can open ours one again.
Child care booking form for week commencing 23/3/20. Bookings can only be made on a weekly basis. Places are not guaranteed.
COVID 19 Partial Closure. 20/3/20
Dear Parents,
Thank you for you patience at this very difficult and very unsettling time. Heavitree Community Preschool will remain partially open for our families in the front line who are classed as key workers. In order to adhere to Government advice and keep children and families, staff and their own families as protected as possible we will have very strict guidelines as to who can access our provision.
The message from the department of education is very clear, every child that can be safely cared for at home should be. As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing. The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked settings to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. The fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society. Therefore Please only utilise this service if it is your only option. The government has also been very clear that they do not want children being looked after by grandparents over the age of 70 or anyone who is considered vulnerable due to the risks of this virus.
Critical workers include NHS staff, police, farmers and food retail workers, who need to be able to go out to work. A full list of critical workers and further information is available.
The guidance has advised that "if workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service". Please be aware we may ask for proof from your employer and nothing can be guaranteed based on our ratio and staffing requirements.
For the majority of families staying at home, we will endeavour to upload a weekly home learning sheet for you to work on with your children at home if you wish.
Please note that our partial opening can only continue if we have the staffing levels to maintain it. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page, website and emails for regular updates. Children will only be able to attend who have been booked into a session and approved as eligible.
If you believe that your child is eligible under the current criteria please email george@hcpreschool.co.uk or call us on 01392426358 / 07890231312, to book your child in for next week by 1pm at the latest today. This will allow us to work out how we will deliver this provision. There are only a limited number of spaces available and we can not guarantee you will secure a place. Spaces will be allocated in order of priority.
For the small number of families that will continue to use our service we ask that if your child or any member of your family shows any symptoms of a fever, or persistent cough you will need to remain at home for 14 days from when the symptoms started. If your child is generally unwell, please do not return until they are symptom free.
We would like to thank you all for your support and understanding at this unprecedented time. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or a change in circumstances. Please look out for regular messages and updates.
Warmest Wishes
George, Rachel and the preschool team
Message from the committee’
We are aware that these are very strange and unsettling times it has been suggested that it would be nice for parents to support each other in throughout this period. The more connected we can all stay at this time, the better. If anyone would like to join a wats app group for the parents of preschool, please send a what’s app to Sarah (Esther's mum) on 07716016307. It's not an official preschool thing, just for parents to support and share ideas. Thanks Sarah
COVID-19 updated for 19th March 2020
Following yesterday evening’s announcement of our impending closure, we are still awaiting further information from the department of education. We will update you further with full details as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience in this difficult situation.
COVID-19 updated for 16th March 2020
Following the latest update from the Prime Minister this afternoon please note and follow the new advice that we have received:
If you or a member of your family who live with you have a new continuous cough
or a high temperature of 37.8 or greater
you should now all self-isolate for 14 days.
In light of this information please keep a close eye on our communications to you via email, website and social media with regard to the possibility of partial or full closure.
For more information on self-isolation please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
We understand a number of our families may unfortunately have to self isolate at this time of uncertainty. Please make use of the attached document for ideas to support your child's learning at home
Just to be clear all COVID 19 updates will be published on the website. Sessions required for key workers with no alternative childcare can only be booked on a week by week basis. In order to request a session you will need to return the booking form (located on the website) by the required deadline each week.
We are obviously working on skeleton staff and the situation is very volatile, therefore please understand changes may occur.
We will also add a weekly home learning sheet to the COVID 19 page weekly.
We hope normality returns soon, and we can open ours one again.
Child care booking form for week commencing 23/3/20. Bookings can only be made on a weekly basis. Places are not guaranteed.
COVID 19 Partial Closure. 20/3/20
Dear Parents,
Thank you for you patience at this very difficult and very unsettling time. Heavitree Community Preschool will remain partially open for our families in the front line who are classed as key workers. In order to adhere to Government advice and keep children and families, staff and their own families as protected as possible we will have very strict guidelines as to who can access our provision.
The message from the department of education is very clear, every child that can be safely cared for at home should be. As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing. The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked settings to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. The fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society. Therefore Please only utilise this service if it is your only option. The government has also been very clear that they do not want children being looked after by grandparents over the age of 70 or anyone who is considered vulnerable due to the risks of this virus.
Critical workers include NHS staff, police, farmers and food retail workers, who need to be able to go out to work. A full list of critical workers and further information is available.
The guidance has advised that "if workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service". Please be aware we may ask for proof from your employer and nothing can be guaranteed based on our ratio and staffing requirements.
For the majority of families staying at home, we will endeavour to upload a weekly home learning sheet for you to work on with your children at home if you wish.
Please note that our partial opening can only continue if we have the staffing levels to maintain it. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page, website and emails for regular updates. Children will only be able to attend who have been booked into a session and approved as eligible.
If you believe that your child is eligible under the current criteria please email george@hcpreschool.co.uk or call us on 01392426358 / 07890231312, to book your child in for next week by 1pm at the latest today. This will allow us to work out how we will deliver this provision. There are only a limited number of spaces available and we can not guarantee you will secure a place. Spaces will be allocated in order of priority.
For the small number of families that will continue to use our service we ask that if your child or any member of your family shows any symptoms of a fever, or persistent cough you will need to remain at home for 14 days from when the symptoms started. If your child is generally unwell, please do not return until they are symptom free.
We would like to thank you all for your support and understanding at this unprecedented time. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or a change in circumstances. Please look out for regular messages and updates.
Warmest Wishes
George, Rachel and the preschool team
Message from the committee’
We are aware that these are very strange and unsettling times it has been suggested that it would be nice for parents to support each other in throughout this period. The more connected we can all stay at this time, the better. If anyone would like to join a wats app group for the parents of preschool, please send a what’s app to Sarah (Esther's mum) on 07716016307. It's not an official preschool thing, just for parents to support and share ideas. Thanks Sarah
COVID-19 updated for 19th March 2020
Following yesterday evening’s announcement of our impending closure, we are still awaiting further information from the department of education. We will update you further with full details as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience in this difficult situation.
COVID-19 updated for 16th March 2020
Following the latest update from the Prime Minister this afternoon please note and follow the new advice that we have received:
If you or a member of your family who live with you have a new continuous cough
or a high temperature of 37.8 or greater
you should now all self-isolate for 14 days.
In light of this information please keep a close eye on our communications to you via email, website and social media with regard to the possibility of partial or full closure.
For more information on self-isolation please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
We understand a number of our families may unfortunately have to self isolate at this time of uncertainty. Please make use of the attached document for ideas to support your child's learning at home
| activities_and_learning_for_home.docx |