Posted on Thursday 9th April 2020
School and nursery staff have been thanked for working through the double Bank Holiday weekend to support key workers.
School and nursery staff working through the double Bank Holiday weekend to support key workers are being thanked for doing a great job helping others.
Since schools closed to pupils in general, they have continued to open their doors to the children of key workers, who have no alternative childcare arrangements, and to vulnerable children in need of care.
Some schools are remaining open throughout what would have been the Easter holidays – including on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
And while nurseries would usually close on Bank Holidays, some are remaining open after key worker parents said they would be needed.
Philip White, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Learning and Employability, said the unstinting efforts of school and childcare staff meant key worker parents could carry on supporting the community.
He said:
This is a magnificent effort by school staff and early years providers and every worker we can keep on the frontline supporting the NHS, home care and other essential services is a huge step in the right direction for Staffordshire’s fight against Coronavirus.”
In line with national averages attendance at Staffordshire schools and nurseries has been running at around two or three per cent since the lockdown was introduced.
Philip White added:
As expected attendance is quite low, so some schools and nurseries have been talking to each other about pooling resources rather than have every building open.
Schools and nurseries are dealing direct with parents as the most effective way of organising this and have continued providing this essential service through what would have been the school holidays – and on the Bank Holidays – in response to demand.”
The council remains in regular contact with schools, bus companies and catering contractors to support those places remaining open.
Ends