Schools and keeping children at home

From tomorrow (Monday 23 March) our schools will only be open for those children that absolutely need to attend.

We appreciate that this will be hard for many families, as many parents work or have other caring responsibilities. We also know that school is such a big part of a child’s life and is not only where they learn, but it’s a place where they have fun and play too.

However, we cannot stress enough how important it is that, wherever possible, your child stays at home. The fewer children there are at school will help us to minimise the risk of the virus spreading and protect the most vulnerable people in our communities.

If your child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or you are a critical worker and are unable to work with your child at home, then educational provision will be available for them. Please talk to your child’s school first.

Nurseries and other childcare settings

Early years providers (such as pre-schools, nurseries and childminders) have also been asked, where possible, to provide care for a limited number of children. This includes:

• vulnerable children
• children whose parents are critical to the coronavirus response and cannot be safely cared for at home

Vulnerable children include those who:

• are supported by social care
• have safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans or on child protection plans
• are looked after
• are young carers
• are disabled
• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan

Please note that not all childcare providers are able to stay open.