Behind the scenes at one Corby nursery school adjusting to the challenge of lockdown

Nursery schools have been open throughout the lockdown to care for key worker children
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The manager of a Corby nursery school who had to furlough 13 employees during lockdown has now started to recruit more staff members to cope with new Covid regulations.

Founded in November 2013, Rectory Nursery School in Corby Old Village is based in the former rectory next to St John the Baptist Church.

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Nursery manager and founder Gina Garcha had been working throughout lockdown devising the policies to ensure children, staff and parents were kept as Covid-secure as possible.

She said: "It's been extremely challenging for everyone. We were open to key workers throughout the whole of lockdown, working on a skeleton staff as most of the team were furloughed.

"A lot of changes have had to take place to have all children return as safely as possible. We have formed bubble groups, put in different meal times and staggered pick-up and drop-off times.

"The staff have maintained high morale during this time ensuring the children are still enjoying their time at nursery. We have worked together to overcome the barriers and we're maintaining the high level of care that we have always carried out."

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Instead of their usual age divided settings - a baby room, toddler room and pre-school - the children had to be split into four 'bubbles' keeping siblings together with two key workers.

Sadie, 4, in the 'Forest School'Sadie, 4, in the 'Forest School'
Sadie, 4, in the 'Forest School'

A new medical room has also been installed with special PPE in case any child shows symptoms and needs to be isolated.

All children have their temperatures taken on arrival and then are taken to their allocated bubble room.

To ensure the bubbles have the correct ratios three more members of staff have been employed as well as all members of staff returning from furlough.

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Rachel Wright, deputy manager, said: "We deep clean all our rooms and Milton all the toys at the end of the day.

Rectory Nursery SchoolRectory Nursery School
Rectory Nursery School

"The toilets are cleaned by our cleaner every ten minutes and every half an hour the door handles are wiped down. It's good practice.

"Each room has its own set of toys and equipment and the children have different snack and meal times."

Mrs Garcha, who worked in finance before training for child care at Pen Green Children's Centre in Corby, said: "We are a family-run business and we are like a home from home.

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"We started in 2013 with three children and we grew by our third year to having 136 children with a breakfast, after-school and holiday club.

Penny, 3, in the gardenPenny, 3, in the garden
Penny, 3, in the garden

"'Parents have sent so many messages like 'I couldn't ask for a better start for my daughter. It's clean and in a beautiful setting', 'The Rectory is a very special place, but it is special because you have made it this way. It will always have a special place in our hearts'.

The school will say goodbye to 31 children by September as they move up to primary school but new pupils are starting every week.

"We have great support from our parents. One parent has paid all the fees in full for April, May, June and July, even though their child hasn't been here and we offered a discount. They said they want us to be here.

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"Running a child care establishment is a challenge anyway, but with Covid it's made it an even bigger challenge.

"Rectory has had a significant income loss due to Covid-19 but as an organisation we are sustainable.

"We've survived it and we've come out the other end. We've got a lot of positives out of the pandemic - more staff and we're moving on to become paperless."

Penelope, 4, has her temperature taken by Christine GilsenanPenelope, 4, has her temperature taken by Christine Gilsenan
Penelope, 4, has her temperature taken by Christine Gilsenan

"I'd like to say a big thank you to Belinda and Rebecca who stayed on during the keyworker stage and supported Rectory throughout the lockdown and thanks to the parents who supported us also.

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