Free childcare on offer to parents and carers over May half-term
Parents and carers who have been classed as key workers can take advantage of further free childcare courtesy of Swindon Borough Council during May half-term next week.
Published: Wednesday, 20th May 2020
The Council provided up to 30 hours of funded childcare to 476 children over the Easter holidays to help critical workers carry out vital work during the current COVID-19 crisis.
Now a further tranche of free childcare will be made available as part of the Council’s #HereForSwindon package of support which is aimed at helping residents and businesses through the public health emergency.
The funding will enable childcare providers to stay open when they are needed most, while at the same time keep childcare staff in employment.
Parents who are classed as key workers and who have not been able to secure childcare to allow them to carry out their critical roles should get in touch with the Council’s Education and Childcare teams as soon as possible.
As long as one parent is classed as a key worker under the Government definition the family qualifies for childcare through local schools and other local providers.
However, children should be cared for at home wherever possible to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Councillor Russell Holland, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Education, said: “Our key workers have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic and we want to take some of the pressure off them by providing this free childcare during the holiday period.
“If any critical workers still need childcare provision for the school holiday next week please contact our Education and Childcare teams, who will be only too happy to help them make the necessary arrangements.”
Any parents are not in a position to be able to safely leave their children at home should email the Council at: earlyeducation@swindon.gov.uk