Current rules and regulations allowing us to operate under pandemic conditions (as of: 10.01.2022)
Our approach is based on the COVID-19 regulations applicable in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. Returning travellers are subject to the regulations set out by the Federal Ministry of Health.
For entry requirements, please refer to the instructions issued by the respective state government:
Baden-Württemberg: https://km-bw.de/,Lde/startseite/sonderseiten/corona
North Rhine-Westphalia: https://www.mkffi.nrw/corona-aktuelle-informationen-fuer-eltern
Bavaria: https://www.stmas.bayern.de/coronavirus-info/corona-kindertagesbetreuung.php
Entry rules for element-i centres
Please note in some local authorities, rules may differ and/or be stricter than those set out here. In such cases, we always refer to the generally applicable regulations of the municipality or local authority.
For parents:
- Only persons meeting the 2G rule may enter element-i childcare centres or schools, and masks must be worn in all cases (i.e. persons must be vaccinated or recovered, and must wear a mask).
- Entry to settling-in sessions (in childcare centres) shall only be permitted to persons meeting the 3G rule, and masks must be worn in all cases: this means people who are vaccinated or have recovered status, or who have a negative result from a rapid test at an official test site on the same day (or a negative PCR test within 48 hours) and who are wearing a mask.
- If you are not permitted to enter the childcare centre or school, our staff can collect your child from outside the childcare centre or school. The centres shall manage these specific requirements according to their current circumstances.
- When you bring and collect your child, please maintain a distance of at least 1.5 m from other parents/children.
- Any meetings between parents and educators should take place virtually or by phone if at all possible, or be postponed. Urgent meetings may be held face-to-face in compliance with the necessary hygiene measures.
- Provided that the social distancing rules can be followed, celebrations and events may be held outdoors at the centres with the approval of the parents’ association, but not indoors.
For children attending childcare centres:
- Children will be supervised in small dynamic groups as usual, in line with the element-i concept.
- We think it is sensible that all children should undergo regular self-testing regardless of whether they have symptoms. For children attending childcare centres: Parents should perform the self-tests. We recommend one test per week. If the incidence rate reaches or exceeds 50, we strongly advise that you test your child/children twice a week. The childcare centre must be notified of positive test results. If the incidence rate reaches or exceeds 100, our centres require mandatory testing of children aged 3 and above (two tests per week).
- As of 10 January 2022, childcare facilities in Baden-Württemberg will require a mandatory test certificate for all children over the age of 1, and as such testing by parents either at the centre or at home will be required three times a week. (Tests may be carried out twice a week if the child takes part in PCR pool testing at the centre.) If the child is tested at home, proof of negative test results must be presented and documented at the centre. The childcare centre must be notified of positive test results. Results are documented by the centre.
- Unless otherwise directed by the public health department: Children attending childcare centres must stay at home for at least 5 days if any members of the household test positive. (If necessary, at least 5 days after the symptoms of the affected household members disappear)The child may return following a negative rapid test result from a test centre. Children who have recovered status do not have to stay at home, though a rapid test must be performed upon attending the childcare centre.
For students (primary and community school):
- Students may continue to learn together at school. Masks must be worn throughout the school buildings. All students (including vaccinated students) are tested three times a week. Students are required to attend school in person. The following exceptions apply: Permanent exemption based on a medical certificate or self-isolation requirement pursuant to regulations.
- Students must stay at home for 5 days if any members of the household test positive. The child may return following a negative rapid test result (from a test centre or from the school on the test date). Daily tests must then be performed until the end of the household members’ self-isolation period, or for up to 5 days after the symptoms of the household members with COVID-19 have disappeared.
For element-i staff:
- Staff who are vaccinated or have recovered status must perform a self-test five times a week. Childcare centre staff who are unvaccinated or do not have recovered status must take rapid tests every day before starting work.
- Vaccinated childcare centre staff must wear masks in corridors and in locations where social distancing between adults cannot be maintained. Childcare centre staff who are unvaccinated or do not have recovered status must wear a mask at all times when working. School staff must wear masks throughout the building (regardless of vaccination status).
- Team meetings and events are held online. Internal staff celebrations are currently prohibited, and we recommend that our staff be vaccinated and have regular booster shots (e.g. from the school doctor/nurse).
If there are positive cases in the childcare centre:
The relevant public health department decides how to proceed and sets the quarantine regulations. Our procedure: Parents are notified. All staff and children in the affected class/department are tested at the school every day for five consecutive days. These measures will end immediately in the event that a negative PCR test result cancels out the (positive) rapid test result.
If there are positive cases in the primary or community school:
The relevant public health department decides how to proceed and sets the quarantine regulations. Our procedure: Parents are notified. The school isolates. All staff and students are tested at the school every day for five consecutive days. Only non-contact sports may continue (swimming lessons must be cancelled).These measures will end immediately in the event that a negative PCR test result cancels out the (positive) rapid test result.
General measures:
- AHAL rules (maintain social distancing, follow hygiene rules, wear a mask during your daily routine, regularly ventilate indoor spaces)
- Regular self-testing and rapid tests
- Basic immunisation by means of vaccination and booster shots
General house rules
Our approach is based on the COVID-19 regulations applicable in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
This essentially means that children with a fever, sore throat or earache, a severe persistent cough, vomiting or diarrhoea, shall not be allowed access to our centres. If a healthy child suddenly feels unwell during the course of the school day, e.g. they develop a high temperature, we isolate the child and inform the parents to promptly collect the child. We will apply this procedure consistently.
Adults who have symptoms may not enter our premises. In these cases parents (wearing face masks) must hand over their child to educators at the gate. We expect you to follow these rules in order that our staff are protected against infection as much as possible.
Entry rules for children and students
Parents sign on behalf of their child attending childcare centre or school:
You are required to measure your child’s temperature every morning; you may only bring your child if they do not have a high temperature/fever (above 38.0°C).If you wish your child to attend our centre, we expect you to confirm that the child has not had a temperature above 38.0°C during the last 48 hours (measured in the ear or on the forehead), and is not suffering from a dry cough, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell (not normal symptoms of a common cold).Your child shall only be allowed back into our centres after being free of symptoms for 48 hours.