New emergency childcare arrangements for essential workers will come into effect from Monday, March 30 – and Rhondda Cynon Taf residents and employees must re-apply by Friday to take advantage of it.
All schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf remain closed for statutory education, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, and since March 23 the Council has offered emergency ‘last-resort’ childcare for ‘essential workers’ (as defined by UK Government). This arrangement has been operating in all schools for 3-14 year-olds, during core school hours.
However from Monday, March 30, this provision for 3-14 year-olds will be held in 11 emergency centres only for essential workers – from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday. For vulnerable learners provision will be made during core school hours.
The centres will be located at Aberdare Community School, Heol-y-Celyn Primary (Rhydyfelin), Ferndale Community School, Tonyrefail Community School, Ysgol Nantgwyn (Tonypandy), Ysgol Llanhari and Mountain Ash Comprehensive. In addition to 7 mainstream schools, emergency childcare will also be offered up to the age of 19 in four special schools including Ysgol Hen Felin, Ysgol Ty Coch, Park Lane School and Maesgwyn School.
To take advantage of this offer, parents MUST re-apply by midday on Friday, March 27. You can apply now on this website link.
Parents/carers who qualify as the essential workers are responsible for the drop-off and collection of their children from their chosen emergency setting. Home to School Transport arrangements will only be available for learners attending special schools and in exceptional circumstances. Full details are on the above link.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said:
“The Council’s emergency childcare offer will be changing from next Monday, March 30 – and will operate from 11 sites across the County Borough. This provision is available for critical workers, defined as ‘essential’ by the UK and Welsh Government, and should be viewed as a last resort by parents and carers.
“It is essential that parents or carers who want to take advantage of this emergency provision re-apply for it by midday on Friday, March 27 – and this application process has now opened on the Council’s website.”
