Owner Rosemary Izzard, who operates two settings, notified staff of the new policy last week.
The rule will apply to existing staff and new employees. The only exception would be where there is a ‘clinically confirmed reason that vaccination would prove to be a serious risk to health’, suggest local press reports.
Ms Izzard is hoping the new policy will reduce the level of disruption caused by nursery staff having to isolate.
Under Government rules, as of 16 August, adults who are double vaccinated and who come into contact with a positive Covid case, will no longer automatically have to self-isolate, unless they test positive themselves. Instead, they will be required to take daily Covid-19 tests.
The nursery’s policy states three reasons behind the introduction of the condition, they are:
- To safeguard children in its care as there is no certainty what risk to children’s health, the virus poses.
- To prevent temporary room closures and employing additional staff to cover against such eventualities, which is unaffordable.
- To reassure staff working in close proximity that their safety is protected as far as the vaccination can provide.
In the policy documents, the nursery owner states, ‘I appreciate that the introduction of this policy may have, for whatever reason, a negative impact upon some staff and hope its introduction will not result in any loss of employees.
'With effect from September 1 all adult candidates for employment with us must be either fully vaccinated or agree to become fully vaccinated in the shortest possible time as a condition of employment.
'From the same date, existing staff in both locations will also be required as a condition of employment to be either fully vaccinated or at least to have received one jab with another planned to be taken within the shortest possible time.
'The only exception to the above policy would be where there is a clinically confirmed reason that the vaccination would prove to be a serious risk to health.
'The safeguarding of the children placed in our care is paramount and while the current medical opinion is that the risk to their health is quite low for now, no-one can be certain about what variants of the virus might yet develop.
'Each nursery location needs to give as much reassurance as we can to parents that their child or children placed with us is in as safe an environment as we can possibly make it and also less likely to be prone to temporary room closures. We cannot afford to employ additional staff to cover against such eventualities.
'Thirdly, and equally as important, is the assurance the new policy will give to all members of staff working in close proximity with colleagues that their safety is protected as far as the vaccination can provide.My trust is that everyone understands that each nursery cannot continue to experience the recent level of disruption without placing its existence at considerable risk.'
One parent emailed her to say, 'I applaud you for doing this as not many employers have the initiative to make these unpopular decisions.
'I 100% agree with your decision, not just because my little boy attends your nursery but because I work for the NHS myself...I have seen how Covid has affected everyone...it's about protecting everyone - ourselves, our children and older generations.
'Thank you for being one of the few to make this decision regarding Covid vaccinations. You, as always, have my utmost respect.'
What are the rules on vaccinations?
From October there will be a legal requirement on care home staff in England to be fully vaccinated against Coronavirus in order to retain their employment.
The new legislation means that from October – subject to Parliamentary approval and a subsequent 16-week grace period – anyone working in a CQC-registered care home in England for residents requiring nursing or personal care must have two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine unless they have a medical exemption.
While some employers have made the decision to contractually require their workforce to have the vaccine, there is currently no legal requirement for employees to have the vaccine.
- Are you a nursery owner also thinking about making double vaccination a condition of employment? Nursery World would like to hear your story. Email us at news.nw@markallengroup.com
