Flintshire County Council statement to explain access to emergency childcare provision for key workers classified as ‘vital’ workers,  provision of free school meals, and support for vulnerable learners.

To limit the spread of COVID-19it is important that, as far as possible, social contact is minimised.

Parents need to keep their children at home wherever possibleand schools/settings should be open onlyfor those children who absolutely need to attend. 

Only children whose parents arecritical to the Covid-19 responseshould be offered places in schools/settings when there is no safe, alternative provision. 

FOR THE WEEK COMMENCING 23rd MARCHFlintshire Headteachers have been advised toprioritise the allocation of placesto children of parents who meet the following criteria:-

·Category 1 – a single parent with a role on the list defined as critical to the Covid-19 response from Welsh Government

·Category 2 – where both parents have roles on this list

·Category 3 – a parent from a family unit who does not qualify under categories 1 and 2 above, and has a role on this list, and where there is an explicable and genuine reason why they need to access provision. 

Headteachers may use their discretion for this third category – provided that they have sufficient provision – as they know their families’ circumstances best.

Should there be insufficient provision due to the requirements of social distancing, Headteachers have been advised by the Council torefuse admittanceto the children of thethird categoryaboveandliaise with their neighbouring headteachers to offer a place close by where this is possible.

Alternative provision is in being made for children entitled to free school meals and will be introduced shortly. This groupSHOULD NOTattend their local schools this week unless their parent(s) fall under the above categories 1-3. Further communication will follow.

Provision for children classed as vulnerable is also being planned. When this is ready to start further communications will be issued.

Claire Homard
_______________________________________________________________________________
Chief Officer, Education and Youth|Prif Swyddog, Addysg ac Ieuenctid
Flintshire County Council|Cyngor Sir y Fflint

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Following Flintshire County Council direction we will open on Monday 23rd March 2020 for children of families who are A SINGLE PARENT WHO IS A VITAL WORKER OR  WHERE BOTH PARENTS ARE VITAL WORKERS. Flintshire County Council’s guidance is clear. “The expectation is that any child who can safely be cared for at home SHOULD BE and it is in exceptional circumstances that they will need to access this provision.  The main reason for School Closures is ultimately to reduce social contact”.
Please respond URGENTLY if you fall into the above categories. Either on [email protected] or contact the school office.
We ask for your support in responding as quickly as possible.

Parents/Carer/Guardians
We have been requested by Flintshire County Council to gather the following information as a matter of urgency.
Could one person ONLY from each family please respond either by email to [email protected] or telephone the school office no later than 3pm today.  The information requested by FCC is which member / members in your household work in any of the following categories. For example Mum Doctor Dad Teacher.
The Categories in the first instance are as follows:

• Medical Professionals: e.g Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics etc.
• Other Health Workers: Employment in a Health Setting.
• Community Safety: Police Force and Fire Brigade.
• Education: Teachers, Classroom Support Staff, School Cleaners / Caretakers etc.
• Workers in Childcare / Early Years Settings.
• Social Care / Domiciliary Care Workers.
• Council Staff who will be involved in key roles e.g. streetscene, drivers, school escorts, catering staff etc.

FCC are in the process of holding high level meetings and require this information to make further informed decisions. We very much appreciate your co-operation in this critical matter.

We have just received confirmation that schools in Wales will close by Friday 20th March. Please continue to check the website. We will update you, as and when, further information is received. Thank you