We have now received guidance (please see below) about which children can still access childcare whilst schools are officially closed, in order to ensure that other members of our society can continue to work and provide the essential services that will enable us to recover as quickly as possible from this current crisis. The roles of our staff team will have to be different over the next few weeks and months, since schools need to focus on providing safety and child care for the identified children, rather than focusing on educational provision.
As requested in my letter sent yesterday, please let us know if you think your child may fall into one of these categories. It should, however, be noted that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. Please email or call the school office by 10am today with your child’s name, class and details of which category they fall into, including your job role if you think you are a key worker. All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday.
Advice from the Government – 19th March 2020
The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.
Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.
Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health care plans (EHCPs).
Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.
Please, therefore, follow these key principles:
- If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
- If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
- Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
- Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
- Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.
Health and social care
Frontline health and social care staff such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, as well as support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector. In addition, it includes those working in supply chains including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment.Education and childcare
Nursery, teaching staff and social workers.Key public services
Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased, and journalists providing public service broadcasting.Local and national government
Administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services, including payment of benefits.Food and other necessary goods
Those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food.Public safety and national security
Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, and those responsible for border security, prisons and probation.Transport
Those who will keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response.Utilities, communication and financial services
Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running. Staff in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and those working to provide essential financial services.Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time. It should be noted that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Leslie
Headteacher
