Message on continuing education for the children of key workers

Dear Parents and Carers                                                                                                   As you may be aware, the First Minister announced yesterday that the children of key workers should have continuing access to appropriate learning and childcare, potentially beyond the normal school day, that allows their parents/carers to participate in the national response to Covid-19.

In response to this, East Lothian Council will be providing learning and childcare for the children of keyworkers who are registered in local authority schools and early learning and childcare centres. This provision is for key workers who do not have a trusted adult at home to care for their child/ren whilst they are at work.  This provision will be delivered through a Children’s Hub located in each of our six largest communities in East Lothian.  Where possible, parents/carers will be expected to transport their child/ren to their Hub.

Scottish Government have identified key workers in three categories:

  • Category 1 – Health and Care workers directly supporting COVID-19 response, and associated staff, Health and Care workers supporting life threatening emergency work, as well as critical primary and community care provision; Energy suppliers (small numbers identified as top priority already); staff providing childcare/learning for other category 1 staff.
  • Category 2 – All other Health and Care workers, and wider public sector workers providing emergency/critical welfare services (e.g. Fire, Police, Prisons, Social Workers etc.) as well as those supporting our Critical National Infrastructure, without whom serious damage to the welfare of the people of Scotland could be caused.
  • Category 3 – All workers without whom there could be a significant impact on Scotland (but where the response to COVID-19, or the ability to perform essential tasks to keep the country running, would not be severely compromised).

If you are a Keyworker and require support with childcare please could you complete the electronic form at the link below no later than 5pm Monday 23rd March, 2020.

Click here Key Worker information

Once we have collated this information we will contact you regarding the learning and childcare support we can provide for your child/ren.