COVID – 19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0 Published August 2021
COVID-19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0
This document is extracted from the new Scottish Government guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer businesses and
workplaces guidance and how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, both of which aim to support Scotland's
move to beyond Level 0 to reduce the risk of COVID-19. The new guidance came into effect on 9 August 2021 and whilst some
sector specific guidance remains, the above guidance replaces the Organised Activities Guidance for Children which has now been
archived by the Scottish Government.
This adapted EYS publication aims to support Parent and Toddler, Unregulated Early Years Services and Unregulated Playgroups
in best practice.
What we need to do to keep safe
• get the vaccine when you are offered it
• wear a face covering, clean hands and surfaces regularly
• avoid crowded places and keep your distance from other people where possible
• meet outside if you can, and open windows when indoors
• if you have symptoms get a test and stay at home
• take regular tests if you don’t have symptoms to reduce the risk of spreading the virus
• use the Protect Scotland and Check-in Scotland apps
COVID – 19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0 Published August 2021
Keep
distance
where you
can
Although the law has changed, it is important people keep thinking about how the virus can be
transmitted. The Scottish Government would encourage people to think about how best to use the space
available. Where practical and appropriate, this could include the retention of certain measures such as:
• Voluntary limits on maximum capacity where appropriate.
• Manage the inflow/outflow of premises through ongoing use of one-way systems.
• Queuing inside premises should be avoided where possible.
• Whilst physical distancing rules have been lifted, everyone should try to stay a reasonable distance
from others where possible.
• Avoid crowded spaces.
• Unless exempt for specific circumstances, the law says you must wear a face covering in most
indoor public places.
• Risk assessments should be carried out to ensure safe distancing measurers are in place when
face coverings are removed indoors when seated.
• Face coverings should be worn when moving around and when it is crowded.
• Children under 12 are exempt from any requirement to wear face coverings, but can, of course
continue to choose to do so.
• Consider using electronic ticketing for booking sessions and collecting fees.
• Use the Protect Scotland and Check-in Scotland apps for track and trace purposes.
COVID – 19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0 Published August 2021
Keep yourself
and others
safe
• Provide information to visitors to the premises about measures which must be followed.
• Encourage service users to be considerate of others as some individuals may wish to take a more
cautious approach
• Encourage service users to Download the Protect Scotland app, which will help identify times
where they may have been in contact with the virus and can advise when self-isolation may be
necessary.
• Hand hygiene should continue to be maintained to a high standard and hand sanitiser be made
available in public spaces if possible.
• It is important to continue cleaning surfaces, toys, and equipment regularly.
• Open windows or doors to let fresh air in.
• Encourage the use of outdoor spaces instead of indoors where possible.
• Everyone must continue to follow Test and Protect rules and guidance which means you must stay
at home if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, even if you have received two doses
of the COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID – 19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0 Published August 2021
Committee
Meetings
Where possible and appropriate, organisations may consider:
• Using remote working tools to avoid in-person meetings.
• Only having necessary participants attending meetings, where physical distancing should be encouraged.
• Avoiding sharing pens or other objects.
• Provision of hand sanitiser in meeting rooms.
• Holding meetings outdoors or in well ventilated rooms.
Work
cohorts
For those settings who employ staff:
As an employer you may wish for small groups of workers to form work cohorts. Work cohorts could be useful where job
roles require groups of the same workers to work in close proximity, such as those who are likely to be deemed close
contacts as set out in the Test and Protect guidance. It may help to maintain business operations if a worker develops
symptoms or is tested positive for the virus, as exposure would be limited to their cohort.
COVID – 19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0 Published August 2021
Supporting
Workers on
the highest
risk list
Risk Assess
Advice is available for people on the highest risk list (previously known as the shielding list) about how to keep safe at
work.
As an employer, you must protect people from harm. This includes carrying out a risk assessment, in
consultation with your workforce, to decide what reasonable steps you need to take to protect your workers
and others from COVID-19.
Risk assessments are used to identify what measures are needed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
They can be used to eliminate/mitigate risks, adapt workplaces to individual needs and ensure adequate staff training
around processes to manage the risk.
The Risk assessment - Working safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (hse.gov.uk) guidance sets out
further detail on risk assessment and duties as an employer. Employers should continue to conduct individual risk
assessments in consultation with the individual worker where necessary.
Click here for the HSE ready to use Risk Assessment template (example below)
COVID – 19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0 Published August 2021
COVID – 19 Best Practice Guidance – Supporting Unregulated Early Years services beyond level 0 Published August 2021
Outbreak
Management
All staff should be aware of organisation’s protocols to inform a member of staff, manager, or responsible
person if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 while at work. If possible and it is safe to do so, find a room or
area where they can be isolated behind a closed door, such as a staff office or meeting room. If it is possible to
open a window, do so for ventilation.
Organisations should suspect an outbreak if there is either:
• two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the setting within 14 days; or
• an increase in staff absence rates, in a setting, due to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19
Outbreak management plans should include protocols for communication with Test and Protect and local Health