Wisbech nursery thrilled at numbers of children returning

A Wisbech nursery has been thrilled by the number of children who returned to class after the Government encouraged schools and childcare facilities to reopen their doors.

Staff at Ladybirds Day Nursery, in Elm Road, were unsure as to how many parents would make the decision to send their children back into their care.

However, they were delighted to welcome back nearly all of their children who are now settling into the “new normal”.

Deputy manager Casey Calton said: “Not all children returned, but out of around 40 children we have 30 back.

“It’s been a really hard time for parents and I think a few were very concerned about bringing their children back to nursery. But so many were happy to send them back which was really good to see.”

Manager Sarah Huggins was determined to support parents and reassure them that returning their children to the nursery would be as safe as possible.

In doing so, Casey says that most parents returned their children with very little hesitation.

She said: “Our manager made sure that parents were fully aware of what we would be doing and how we would be doing it, as well as all of the cleaning and safety procedures, because we really wanted to put their minds at rest

“I think some parents who were unsure to start with have seen how we are getting on and feel reassured.”

The nursery has implemented new procedures for children, parents and staff which include staggered arrival times, cleaning the nursery and toys throughout the day and separating the children into “bubbles”.

Casey explained: “We have two bubbles of 15 children who are in separate rooms, with different entrances and two to three members of staff.

“We are making sure the children wash their hands regularly and they’ve been doing really well with it - even the little ones. I’ve been surprised to see them doing so well!

“We are also cleaning throughout the day and then at the end of each session we clean all of the surfaces and toys too.

“We weren’t sure how it would go to start with and it’s been very strange.

“But we have got back into a different routine now which is flowing naturally.

“We are very pleased.”