Northampton nursery keen to keep ‘sense of normality’ for children as early years settings remain open during third lockdown

A Northampton nursery has spoken out about remaining open during the third lockdown and the concerns that have arisen once again.

Omnipresence Nursery in Freehold Street, off Barrack Road will remain open to all children during the most recent national lockdown, which has seen schools close to all pupils, except those of keyworkers and vulnerable children, until at least February half term.

For many early years settings, questions have been raised around the safety of remaining open even though schools are closed to many students.

Despite frustrations around lack of support and recognition, the Omnipresence team is determined to keep a sense of normality for the children it cares for.

Dawnlouise Young, owner of the nursery, said: “We don’t mind staying open as we are passionate about keeping everything normal for the children, but we are concerned about the vulnerability of us and our staff getting the virus.

“We are not getting any help whatsoever and we are not getting any support with PPE on any level.

“Any PPE we do use, we have to buy ourselves and the cleaning that comes with Covid has quadrupled our cleaning costs.

“Nurseries that are attached to schools have been given additional financial support to help with this, but private and independent nurseries have been overlooked and they are expected to carry on with no support.”

The nursery owner previously voiced concerns about the funding early years settings receive, which she deems to be ‘far too low’.

The issue has been highlighted by the pandemic and has again reared its head as the nursery is plunged into another lockdown.

Nursery manager, Sharon Norrell, added: “We feel used and abused. Here we are supporting key workers, but where is the support for early years? It doesn’t seem to be there.

“We have just been left, but we are keeping it as normal as possible for the children and we are trying to keep a bubble around the nursery.

“We are also doing what we can for the staff, emotionally and mentally, as they are afraid they could lose their jobs.”

The duo say only a minimal number of parents have decided to keep their children off nursery this time around, so all staff will continue to be on hand do the best they can to keep a sense of normality for the children.

Parents have also been supportive of the nursery by donating masks and cleaning supplies, which Sharon said was ‘lovely and overwhelming’.

“We keep it as safe as possible,” Dawnlouise continued.

“I had to make the difficult decision to not see my own grandchildren and just come to work.

“Thankfully the children are confident and it hasn’t really affected them.

“They are mainly oblivious, apart from them knowing they have to use hand sanitizer and us taking their temperatures, but we do that together and make it like we are playing doctors and nurses.”

Both Dawnlouise and Sharon also echo the thoughts of fellow nursery owner, Sam Evans from Little Learners, about needing to prioritise early years workers for a Covid vaccine, as they believe if they are expected to continue working in an environment where social distancing is impossible, they should be given protection.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper while out for your essential shopping.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you