Slough children’s centres set to reopen on 2 June
Eight of the boroughs children’s centres are reopening from next Tuesday 2 June for three and four–year-olds in receipt of a funded place of 15 or 30 hrs, following government guidance. All centres apart from Penn Rd Children’s Centre (which has provided childcare for keyworkers) have been shut for 10 weeks due to the Coronavirus lockdown. Only Chalvey Grove and Wexham Children’s Centres will remain closed, and provision has been made for these children to attend other centres .
In the last week, all of the eligible families have been contacted, and many safeguarding measures have been put in place to protect the children and staff. Our early years teams have corresponded with families about how the centres will operate and be organised differently. The centres will operate in ‘bubbles’ which are small groups of children with the same key staff to minimise cross- infection.
Other safeguards will include a one way in, one way out system, staggered drop-off and collection times, hand sanitising on entry , more outside play, and no soft toys. There is also a rigorous cleaning regime in place and all centres have been prepared over and above the government guidelines. All staff from all centres are having detailed training on Monday 1 June on the new operating systems, and deep cleaning regimes.
Staff at the centres will continue to build on and adapt the new ways of working to keep everyone as safe as possible, whilst following developing government guidance.
Michael Jarrett, service lead, early years and prevention, said: “The early years teams have worked incredibly hard to change the way the centres operate to be able to open safely. Whilst we are only opening to three and four-year-olds at the moment we will be watching national guidance to see when we can take in other children. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to reopen these centres.”
In the last week, all of the eligible families have been contacted, and many safeguarding measures have been put in place to protect the children and staff. Our early years teams have corresponded with families about how the centres will operate and be organised differently. The centres will operate in ‘bubbles’ which are small groups of children with the same key staff to minimise cross- infection.
Other safeguards will include a one way in, one way out system, staggered drop-off and collection times, hand sanitising on entry , more outside play, and no soft toys. There is also a rigorous cleaning regime in place and all centres have been prepared over and above the government guidelines. All staff from all centres are having detailed training on Monday 1 June on the new operating systems, and deep cleaning regimes.
Staff at the centres will continue to build on and adapt the new ways of working to keep everyone as safe as possible, whilst following developing government guidance.
Michael Jarrett, service lead, early years and prevention, said: “The early years teams have worked incredibly hard to change the way the centres operate to be able to open safely. Whilst we are only opening to three and four-year-olds at the moment we will be watching national guidance to see when we can take in other children. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to reopen these centres.”
