So far over 550 visors have been made, and in addition to being given to the nurseries, many have been distributed to local care homes, shops, GP surgeries, Poole Hospital and key worker businesses. The science department at the school have also handed over all of their science goggles and gloves to frontline NHS workers and local care homes.

Andrew Mead, headmaster of Lytchett Minster School said, “We are very pleased to be able to support local frontline workers at this time. We all need to do what we can. We are fortunate to have the equipment and the expertise to provide protective masks.”

Early years settings across the UK have remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic to ensure children of key workers can be cared for whilst their parents can continue to provide vital services to the country.

Cheryl Hadland, managing director of Tops Day Nurseries commented, “We are extremely grateful for the kind donation from Lytchett Minster School. We would like to say a special thank you to head of design and technology, Jenny Everett and her colleagues Tony Perry and Lucian Drane who have been quite clearly going above and beyond to help key workers during this unprecedented time.

“We note that the government do not consider that the Early Years sector need any additional PPE equipment compared to the days before Corvid-19, and it’s very difficult to source PPE without impacting on the NHS supplies plus the sector has serious financial difficulties so has not been able to pay to import anything themselves.  However we believe this donation will help nursery staff feel valued and appreciated and give them the option to protect themselves a little more, which is wonderful.

“At this time, it is important that we remain united and support each other in any way possible I am so proud of all of our colleagues across the Tops family and in fact all early years staff across the UK who are still going in to work each day wiping noses, giving cuddles, changing nappies and putting the children and families before themselves with no additional PPE. The Early Years sector is undervalued, but not by us, well done to you all.”