Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has announced its Emergency Childcare provision for the school summer term starting on June 29 – with childcare available across all school settings.
Welsh Government has announced that all pupils have the opportunity to return to school from June 29. Up to a third of pupils will be in school at any given time, in order to enable pupils to safely Check In, Catch Up and Prepare for the summer and September. In addition to these opportunities, Emergency Childcare will be provided.
The Council has confirmed its Emergency Childcare provision for this period – for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children aged 3-14 (aged 3-19 for pupils who attend a special school). Childcare provision has run throughout the lockdown period, and is currently operating from 25 hubs across the County Borough.
From June 29, Emergency Childcare will be offered to eligible parents/carers from Monday to Friday, at their usual school setting. This will be available each day between 8am and 5pm for essential workers and during core school hours for vulnerable learners.
It is important to note that children accessing the Emergency Childcare provision will also have an opportunity to access educational opportunities alongside their peers. These arrangements will be confirmed by your child’s school in due course. Childcare will be offered as a discrete provision in each school with no opportunities provided for integration with the wider school community so as to ensure strict social distancing.
The current application process for securing Emergency Childcare places will continue via this webpage, and places are strictly subject to availability. Application does not guarantee an Emergency Childcare place as there will be inevitable staffing and capacity considerations.
The application period will run from 8am on Friday, June 19, to 11.59pm on Sunday, June 21.
All vulnerable learners who are currently attending an Emergency Childcare setting will be relocated to their usual school setting from Monday, June 29. Parents/carers of vulnerable learners not currently accessing Emergency Childcare only need to apply once. Please only apply for Emergency Childcare as a last resort and if your child cannot be safely cared for in the home.
Please note that late applications will not be accepted.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “I’d like to reassure residents that the Council is working diligently to put in place the arrangements and practicalities to make our schools available for the summer term on June 29 – while adhering to social distancing guidance. Further details about the school summer term’s arrangements will be shared by the Council and schools very soon.
“I’m very pleased the Council has today confirmed details of its Emergency Childcare offer for this period. Our existing provision has been very well utilised to date, assisting essential workers and parents of vulnerable young people during these very challenging times. The numbers attending our hubs have continued to increase – with an average of 670 pupils attending each day last week.
“We are moving away from the hub provision from June 29, and relocating the childcare provision to our school settings – for which the application period opens on June 19. We are also continuing the online application process.”
Transport for children attending school for Emergency Childcare provision will only be provided for vulnerable children who meet eligibility criteria for school transport.
Breakfast Club provision will not be available, and a packed lunch will be provided for pupils who are entitled to Free School Meals. Pupils not entitled to Free School Meals must bring a packed lunch each day. All pupils should bring filled water bottles, which staff can refill throughout the day as required.
In accordance with Welsh Government guidance, if one parent is an essential worker in the fight against Coronavirus but the other is not, then the other parent should provide safe alternative arrangements at home where possible.
