Our Response to COVID-19

I would like to thank you all for your reactions to the current pandemic of COVID-19. David Wilksch our School Principal and I have been daily reading and sitting in on webinars and Skype calls from various leading organisations including the Department of Health of SA.

What we have been directed to thus far as of March 19th is to increase awareness and practices including:

1. Regular and thorough hand washing (Sing Happy Birthday Twice)

2. Sneeze or cough into elbow or tissue and then wash your hands or elbow if required.

3. Practice social distancing (We will be discouraging hands on others play, increasing our outside play and encouraging children to sit apart on the mat using floor dots)

4. Staying home if unwell. For children in the early years, if they are unable to manage personal hygiene such as wiping their nose it is best for them to stay home. Children who present with a cough and temperature will be sent home immediately as per our Illness Policy.

5. Limiting touching of the face.

This week, the ELC Team went over our hygiene practices including our cleaning schedules and are confident that the environment in which your children are attending is to the best of our ability, clean and sanitized regularly throughout the day. We are well resourced with supplies and will never put the welfare of our children or staff under any undue risk.

We do ask that you join with us in supporting your child to increase their own personal hygiene in the following areas:

1. Toiletting - flushing toilets, putting paper in the toilet and washing hands thoroughly.

2. Face and mouth contact - for those children who need the sensory input of sucking or chewing on something, consider the foods that you are sending each day. Harder more chewable foods can support this sensory need. Supporting your child on identifying when they are chewing on their clothes, hat or fingers is another great way on reducing the spread of any nasty bacteria.

3. Practising how to use a tissue to effectively blow their nose. We are using the Sneeze Safe program slogan, 'Catch It, Bin It, Kill It' so feel free to use this too. You can jump on the Sneeze Safe website for videos, games and other resources.

Early Childhood Australia, sent out a media release yesterday on COVID-19, announcing support for Centres and families as we continue to wait out this situation. For the full document please follow this link:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/media/eca-covid-19-response/

The summary is:

* ELC's and schools will not be closed down unless the situation changes.

* Typical symptoms of the virus are: fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing.

* Children tend to be A-symptomatic, which means that they may carry the virus but not feel the affects of it. Most cases presenting are mild.

* If a confirmed case of COVID-19 is identified then a report is made and the Department of Health will direct the process. If you have been in direct contact with someone who has been confirmed with the virus then you must contact the Department of Health for guidance as to testing and isolation.

* If the Centre is closed, parents will not be charged for their child's sessions.

* If parents choose to keep their child at home without there being a Centre closure, accounts will be charged using the eligible 42 absences under CCS per financial year. Once a child exceeds these days then a medical certificate must be provided to receive CCS.

* Parents are able to apply for financial support under 'Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)' with Centrelink if they are struggling to pay their fees. This is an independent process that must be actioned by families.

We know that this is an unprecedented event and is one that can cause fear and isolation. Please know that you are not alone. I am more than happy to call you or email with you if you have any questions.

In the Bible we read, "For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7). Our team are praying daily for this situation and for our Curiosity Community, so please know that we care for you and are here if you need support.