STAFF at Busy Bees nursery in Kingsmead have welcomed the return of children this morning.

This follows a relaxing in government lockdown restrictions allowing more children across the country to return to nurseries and primary schools.

And to celebrate their return, staff have been busy creating a welcome back banner for toddlers, who will once again be able to enjoy a number of fun and educational activities.

Jason Dudley, qualified early years educator, said: “Everyone seems really happy to be back.

Northwich Guardian:

“We’re having to do things a bit differently because of government guidelines and we’ve had to move the room around so that everyone can comply with social distancing.

“There are also certain activities we can’t do, like using play dough or going in the sand pit or playing water games.

“We’ve introduced what we call bubbles, which are small groups of children with one designated member of staff.

“And we wanted to create a lovely banner welcoming the children back to the nursery.”

Northwich Guardian:

All children and staff will have their temperature checked upon arrival, and those families waiting to enter the nursery will be asked to stand two metres apart at drop off and pick up times.

Regular temperature checks for both children and team members will continue throughout the day, as will frequent handwashing and disinfecting of communal areas.

Emily Brimson-Keight, head of safety at Busy Bees, added: “There is much speculation about how life after lockdown could look in nurseries and schools, and parents are understandably very anxious.

“The biggest priority for us is, and always will be, the safety, welfare and happiness of the children in our care.

Northwich Guardian:

“That’s why we have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare to open all centres, including Northwich, since they first went into lockdown, and we are constantly sharing ideas and looking at best practice to ensure the personal and emotional wellbeing for children and team members.

“We’re committed to providing the best start in life for children, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in.”

As part of its plans for life after lockdown, Busy Bees will also continue its school readiness programme for those children starting school this September, using the time they still have left at nursery to prepare them for school.

All of this will be supported by Busy Bees’ digital learning programme ‘Unleashing Potential’, which helps to bridge the gap between nursery and home learning.