The global pandemic has created a great deal of uncertainty and instability – both globally and on a local level. Our priority always has, and always will be to create a nurturing, safe and supportive environment for your children to learn, grow and thrive.

While the threat of the pandemic within our community has lessened, we still have a number of restrictions in place to ensure our staff, children and families remain COVID-safe. All Footprints staff members have completed Infection Control Training specific to Coronavirus, and we’ll continue to ensure staff and families are following the most recent government advice.

The considerations below will be continued to be revised regularly in line with professional advice from the department of health. We have summarised the key points here – but you can find the full policy by contacting Footprints direct.

Our Complex

• We strongly encourage everyone to follow guidelines from the World Health Organisation on infection control, both at our Centre and in daily life. These include:
• Frequently cleaning your hands using alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue, throwing that tissue away immediately and washing your hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is unwell
• Maintain social distancing when possible

We’d like to thank you all for your support and dedication to upholding these procedures thus far. Creating bright futures is a team effort, and we will continue to play our part.

At Footprints, we will continue to have the following additional health safety measures in place:

• All families, visitors, students and staff are required to wash their hands using the supplied hand sanitizing station in the entry area on entering and exiting the complex.
• We ask that only one family member enter the Centre to drop-off and collect children when possible and stay within the designated ‘family zone’ in all rooms during drop-off and pick-up. The zones are marked clearly on the floor with tape.
• Families must ensure their interactions with educators are limited to less than 10 minutes in the rooms to reduce the risk of face-to-face transmission. If you need a longer conversation regarding your child’s care, please arrange a time for a parent-educator meeting in the staffroom or courtyard where social distancing is practiced.
• Only 2 children can be dropped off or collected from any of the rooms at any one time (a maximum of 2 accompany adults per room other than staff). Other families are asked to wait in the entrance, hallway or outside the building and follow social distancing measures.
• If you’re a parent unable to wait, a staff member may be able to collect your child from the room and bring them to the front entrance area. Parents are encouraged to call ahead and ask that their child be ready for collection at a certain time.
• If your child has a temperature higher than 38 degrees, they must not attend care. If your child develops a temperature while at Footprints, you’ll be contacted immediately and must come to collect them. If your child is at all unwell, they will be refused access and you will be told to take them home.
• Do not give your child/ren any fever reducing medication prior to drop-off (Panadol or Ibuprofen) which may mask the symptoms of COVID-19.
• Families are no longer required to unpack your child’s belongings on arrival at Footprints. We ask that you place all your child’s items in the bag shelves and staff will unpack lunches etc. from there. Please avoid entering the kitchen area.
• Frequently touched surfaces will be sanitised regularly throughout the day and more frequently during busy periods (drop off and pick-up times).
• Staff will be extra vigilant in washing their hands when moving from one room to another.

If any staff, children, or families have been tested we ask that you self-isolate and do not attend Footprints (even for drop-off or pick-up of a child) until a negative result is received.

Our entire Footprints community has the right to experience quality education, work and care in an environment that provides for their health and safety. Let’s all continue to do our part by following the above and looking after each other.

For further information please ask for and read our full Policy. For the latest advice, information and resources about COVID safety – please go to www.health.gov.au.