Alliance launches ‘Winter Toolkit’ to help early years settings face seasonal challenges

The Early Years Alliance has today launched a new ‘Winter Toolkit’, a series of winter-themed resources to help early years settings and services navigate the unique difficulties they face during the colder months.

Cold weather always presents challenges for keeping children and staff safe and healthy, but the addition of high Covid-19 rates to the usual flu season, combined with self-isolation and other Covid precautions that are still in place, will make this a particularly demanding year for those working in the early years sector.

To help settings and services tackle these challenges, the toolkit, which is free to Alliance members, includes a series of guides, posters and other resources addressing seasonal issues, including advice on keeping outdoor areas safe, a booster jab reminder poster for setting staffrooms, guidance on supporting staff wellbeing, and advice on winter outdoor activities. The pack also includes a template letter to inform parents and carers of a positive Covid-19 case for settings and services who may not have received a template from their local authority.

As parents are likely to need clear advice and guidance on managing illnesses this winter, the Winter Toolkit also includes handy posters and guidance to help settings and services keep parents informed about how and when to get their children the flu vaccine, what immunisations their child may be due and to provide answers to frequently asked questions about Covid-19.

The full toolkit contains:

  • Winter safety guidance for early years settings 
  • The Alliance’s Infection prevention and control mini-guide 
  • Whatever the Weather outdoor activity guide for the colder months 
  • Tips for supporting staff wellbeing in winter 
  • A guide to children’s flu vaccines for parents and carers
  • Posters (in two alternative designs) encouraging parents and carers to book their child’s flu vaccine 
  • A childhood vaccination schedule poster for parents and carers
  • A staffroom poster encouraging eligible staff to book their Covid-19 booster jab
  • A template letter for settings and services to send parents and carers in the event of a positive Covid-19 case
  • A poster for parents and carers answering commonly asked questions about Covid-19 symptoms and testing

The whole pack is free to Early Years Alliance members and can be downloaded via the Members’ Area of the ‘My EYA Portal’. Non-members can also purchase the pack, priced at £15 â€“ available from the Alliance Shop .


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