Schools open during Easter for children of critical workers

All early years providers such as pre-schools, nurseries and childminders who are open (with the exception of one pre-school, which has made alternative arrangements with parents) will also continue to accept children of critical workers.

Children and young people with special educational needs who usually attend SEND schools will also be able to attend their schools during the Easter break, if their parents are critical workers.

In addition these schools are working with the Health & Social Care committee to provide essential support for identified vulnerable children - this includes Le Rondin, Le Murier, Les Voies and additional needs bases.

The Guernsey College of Further Education will be working with parents of students with special educational needs to ensure that they are supported.

A survey was recently sent to all school staff to ask who would be willing to volunteer during the Easter break so that school sites could remain open.

Following the response, headteachers have been able to draw up a staff rota to ensure provision for children of critical workers and vulnerable students.

Any critical worker whose normal early years provider is now unable to accommodate their childcare needs for Easter is asked to contact the States Early Years Team at seyt@gov.gg or 07839 103505.

Director of operations for Education Ed Ashton said all staff working at schools and early years providers have really stepped up to the plate to support the whole-island response to the coronavirus pandemic.

'When the Education Office sent out a survey asking for feedback on who would be willing to volunteer during the Easter holidays so that school sites could remain open for children of critical workers, the response was simply fantastic.

'The impact this could have on their fellow critical workers, who may otherwise have had to stay away from work during the Easter break, is huge and I thank them for their continued commitment during these challenging times.'