+ When did Baringa become a COVID19 exposure site? Who was affected?

A confirmed case of COVID19 was at Baringa during the time they may have been infectious. They are doing well and we thank the Baringa Family for their kind words and support.

Children and staff who attended the service on the following days in the specific rooms below have been directed by ACT Health to stay home, get tested and quarantine.

• Wednesday 5 January - Banksia and Grevillea Room
• Thursday 6 January - Acacia and Hibiscus Room
• Friday 7 January - Hakea and Melaleuca Room

To ensure the safety of the Baringa Family, ACT Education has advised Baringa to close from Monday 10 January 2022.

We understand the uncertainty is challenging, however the Baringa Family has always and continue to navigate circumstances with incredible resilience and kindness.

We encourage you to visit our our COVID19 Resources with links to looking after yourself, children's wellbeing, and fantastic videos our educators created during the previous ACT Lockdowns.

+ How long will Baringa be closed?

To ensure the safety of the Baringa Family, ACT Education has advised Baringa to remain closed, in preparation for a reopen on Monday 17 January 2022, pending ACT Government requirements such as a deep clean of the centre and adequate staffing arrangements. Our Admin Team has commenced this process.

We apologise sincerely for the inconvenience and appreciate your support and kind words. Unfortunately, many in our Canberra community and across Australia are navigating through similar circumstances.

Please be assured, our Centre Management and Baringa Board are working to ensure we are able to continue supporting you and remain proactive in planning forward.

+ How long do staff, children and household contacts have to quarantine? How many COVID19 tests are needed?

Staff and children who have been identified as having a high risk COVID19 exposure have been directed by ACT Health to quarantine and get a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) immediately.

• Day 0 is the last time attended Baringa
• Take an additional RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) or PCR test on Day 6, and again on Day 12 or 13.
• Quarantine for 7 days and can leave quarantine on day 8 if their COVID19 tests results are negative and they have no symptoms.

Other people in your household need to quarantine until you receive a negative COVID19 test result. Once you have received a negative COVID-19 test result, other people in your household no longer need to be in quarantine.

On the ACT Health website, please refer to the table regarding steps for those who have spent a long time with someone who has COVID19. From 19 January, an additional test on Day 12 or 13 is no longer required.

+ Can my child come back to Baringa when they finish their quarantine period?

If your child was identified as having High Risk exposure, the Admin Team will contact you to support their return to Baringa.

They can return to Baringa when ACT Health quarantine period and testing requirements have been completed and documentation provided. This includes the following:

1) Get tested: A baseline PCR test when notified by ACT Health, and a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test on Day 6.
2) Submit the online Baringa COVID19 Declaration Form.
3) Check your child has no symptoms compatible with COVID19 and continue monitoring for symptoms.

After they return to Baringa, please monitor for symptoms; and have your child take a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR test on Day 12 or 13.

+ My child had a PCR Test when directed by ACT Health, but I am still waiting results. Do I need to wait for this before the second test for Day 6?

If you have not yet receved your first test result, you can call the Testing Facility. Contact details are on the ACT Health Website

For your additional Test on Day 6, a Rapid Antigen Testcan be taken at home.

You can only leave your quarantine premises in an emergency (including to obtain urgent medical attention) or to get a COVID19 test (if you get a PCR Test at a Testing Facility).

+ I dropped off/picked up my child during the exposure days, how come I was not identified as High Risk?

ACT Education has directed Baringa through a process to respond to COVID-19 exposure at early childhood education services. The process can be downloaded here. As per the Risk Matrix on page 5, children who have had prolonged contact in the same enclosed space as a confirmed case of COVID19 for more than 30 minutes are identified as High Risk.

Staff who have had more than 60 minutes of prolonged contact in the same enclosed space as a cofirmed case of COVID19 are also identified as High Risk.

Parents and family members who have been at Baringa for less than 60 minutes during drop off and pick up have not been identified.

+ I was at Baringa on the exposure dates but NOT in those rooms, what do I need to do?

As you have not been identified to have had exposure to the confirmed ccase of COVID19, you do not need to do anything except for monitor for symptoms.

ACT Education has directed Baringa through a process to respond to COVID-19 exposure at early childhood education services. The process can be downloaded here.

Only children who have had more than 30 minutes (or adults who have had more than 60 minutes of prolonged contact) in the same enclosed space as a cofirmed case of COVID19 are identified as High Risk.

+ Will I be charged fees while the centre is closed?

As per the Fees Policy, if Baringa is forced to close as mandated by the ACT Government and/or Australian Government – such as due to a public health emergency – families are not required to pay fees during the closure period.

+ What government financial support is available?

You may be eligible for the Australian Government's Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if you’re unable to work and earn income because you or someone you’re caring for, or has to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID19.

You have to self-isolate or quarantine for one of the following reasons:

• you have coronavirus (COVID19), for isolation periods starting before 10 January 2022, you must have been directly informed you have COVID19 by a health official
• you’re informed by a health official that you’re a close contact with a person who has COVID19

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment replaces the ACT COVID19 Hardship Isolation Payment in the listed circumstances.

You must also meet all of the following:

• you’re at least 17 years old and live in the Australian Capital Territory
• you’re an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia
• you’re living in Australia during your self-isolation, quarantine or caring period
• you’re living in Australia at the time of your claim
• you’re unable to go to work and earn an income because you have to self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone who has to self-isolate or quarantine
• you have no sick leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person.*

Centrelink is now accepting both Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results. You’ll need to have either:

• advice of a positive test from a testing clinic or health professional
• evidence you’ve registered a positive result from a home-administered RAT with your state health authority.

If you’re a member of a couple, you can both claim this payment. You and your partner will need to complete separate claims.

WHAT TO DO: If you meet the above requirements, please click below:

ACT Residents Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment Form
NSW Residents Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment Form

+ What is Baringa doing to protect children and staff from COVID19?

The health, safety and wellbeing of Baringa children and staff is our highest priority. Please refer to the COVID19 Safety Plan which has been updated in line with ACT Government requirements as of January 2022.

Entering and visiting the premises

When families, staff and visitors come to Baringa, they must:

• Wear a mask (for all persons aged 12 years and older);
• Scan the CheckIn CBR app as you enter the centre (for all persons aged 16 years and older);
• Wash their hands or use hand sanitiser
  
  • as they enter and leave the centre;
    
  • as they enter and leave a room;
    
• Maintain a physical distance of 1.5m from others where reasonably practical;
  • Limit total time at the centre during drop off and pick up where possible;
  • Keep all "home toys" away from the centre (sleeping comfort toys are exempt);
  • Take children's water bottle, milk bottle, clothing and dummies each day; and
  • Encourage safe hygiene practices at home.

Staff Vaccinations

All staff must comply with mandatory COVID19 vaccination requirements set by the ACT Government. This includes permanent, casual, volunteer and students on practical placements. Staff include educators, administration staff, kitchen staff and others who are in direct contact with children.

For more details please refer to the COVID19 Safety Plan or email admin@baringa.org.au.

+ Will arrangements change when Baringa reopens?

The Baringa Team is currently working on a plan to ensure we keep our children, staff families safe. This includes continuing with the heightened health and hygiene measures in the COVID19 Safety Plan.

Due to the number of enrolled children, and new families joining us from 31 January, we will continue to operate our six rooms. We will have arrangements in place to minimise staff movement across the Baringa premises.

+ Do families and staff have to wear masks at Baringa?

Yes, masks must be worn at Baringa, as per the COVID19 Safety Plan. This includes families wearing masks during pick ups and drop offs.

ACT Health has mandated the use of face masks in indoor settings (other than a place of residence). Wearing a mask is a simple and practical way to minimise transmission of COVID19.

From 17 January, face masks will also be compulsory in outdoor areas of Baringa. This is to help protect the children who are not yet able to get vaccinated, and also to enable children and staff to continue using all outdoor areas.

For children under 12, there is no mandatory requirement to wear a face mask and this remains at the discretion of parents and carers.

A face covering means a mask or other covering that fits securely around the face and covers the nose and mouth to provide the wearer with protection against infection.

Read more on the ACT Health website.

+ What is happening with COVID19 Vaccines?

We are so grateful for the Baringa Team's efforts to keep ourselves and the children safe. Especially as children under the age of 5 years are not yet eligible for a COVID19 vaccine.

In November 2021, ACT Health mandated for all rostered staff to have had two doses of a COVID19 Vaccine.

As of 11 January, the Australian Government has made the COVID19 Booster Vaccine available for persons aged 18 years and over, who had the second dose of a COVID19 vaccination at least 4 months ago. A booster dose is recommneded to maintain immunity against COVID19.

Staff and families can book a Booster vaccine appointment with the ACT COVID19 Vaccination Booking Line on (02) 5124 3999

+ What does it mean for Baringa with the current COVID19 situation in the ACT?

Baringa's priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, children and families. We would would like to acknowledge the hard work of ACT Health and other essential workers during this time.

If we may be able to provide families with any further support please reach out to us at admin@baringa.org.au.

+ Where can I go to for help for myself?

Please visit our COVID19 Resources our website with links to looking after yourself.

Other helpful services you can contact 24hrs/7day week are:

Lifeline Canberra phone & live chat
Beyond Blue mental health support
Kids Helpline