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Busy Bees, which has nurseries in Worksop and Barlborough, says there will be no playdough, sandpits, or water games because of Covid-19 but there will be plenty of reassurance from staff, outdoor play in smaller groups, and no floor markings for children’s play areas or timed toilet breaks.

It also won’t require children to play in hoops as some schools have suggested.

Instead, it will focus on dividing children into close friendship groups, limiting the number of people children come into contact with, reducing the space that children can explore and increasing the time spent outdoors.

All children and staff will have their temperature checked upon arrival, and those families waiting to enter the nursery will be asked to stand two metres apart at drop off and pick up.

Regular temperature checks for both children and team members will continue throughout the day, as will frequent handwashing and disinfecting of communal areas.

Busy Bees is also using its safety mascot Safety Buzz to help promote safety, health and wellbeing in all aspects of children's lives both at home and whilst in nursery.

Emily Brimson-Keight, head of safety at Busy Bees, said: “The biggest priority for us is, and always will be, the safety, welfare and happiness of the children in our care.

“That’s why we have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare to open all centres since they first went into lockdown, and we are constantly sharing ideas and looking at best practice to ensure personal and emotional wellbeing for children and team members.

“Now the lockdown is being relaxed, we’re keen to offer assurance and debunk the myths about the new normal for parents at this unique time.”

Busy Bees will also continue its school readiness programme, for those children starting school this September using the time they still have left at nursery to prepare them for school.

All of this will be supported by Busy Bees’ digital learning programme Unleashing Potential.