The COVID-19 Setting Preparation Plan details the policies and practices necessary to meet the Government’s ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’ and to minimise the risk of spread of COVID-19 in their setting.

The plan will give an overview of key areas that providers must assess to ensure compliance with the protocol and to minimise the risk to staff (paid employees, unpaid workers and contractors), children, families and others. Unpaid worker, in relation to a pre-school service, means a person who works in the service but who is not remunerated for such work by the registered provider (as defined in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Regulations 2016)

All settings are required to develop a plan and the use of this guidance and associated checklists will help in this.

The plan needs strong commitment from management, staff and families and should be developed and put in place in consultation with all relevant parties. Consultation with staff, supervision, clear direction and information for children and their families is key in ensuring the success of the COVID-19 Response Plan.

The plan is a live working document and it is reviewed on an ongoing basis and amended to take into account new guidance from the Health and Safety Authority www.hsa.ie www.Gov.ie, www.dbei.ie www.hse.ie, www.hpsc.ie, www.hsa.ie and www.dcya.gov.ie