With the return to schools and nurseries imminent, critical childcare and hub provision comes to an end on 7th August.
The service was established on 16th March as a direct result of COVID-19. The aim of the service was to support families and to allow key workers to continue delivering essential services at a time when all other childcare provision was suspended. Support was also provided to vulnerable children and families. Provision has run from 14 locations throughout Shetland, including four childminders and two partner providers.
Over 250 children (from birth to 12) from around 112 families have attended during this time. Over 140 members of SIC staff offered to work in the settings, the majority of whom have not worked alongside each other before. Staff and children have been provided with a hot lunch on a daily basis.
A recent survey sent to parents and children highlighted the success of the service and the excellent work from the staff. 96% of responses stated that it had been a positive experience with many parents and carers acknowledging that they would have been unable to go to work without the service.
“Without the Critical Childcare I would not have been able to work at all through the pandemic. It has been a complete saviour to me and most definitely my children,” commented one parent. Most of the feedback from the survey praised staff and recognised the unique situation that they found themselves in. “The care and support received has been phenomenal from the start.”
Some of the highlights from the children were: meeting new people, building dens, crafts and the lunches! The average rating from the children was 4.57 stars out of 5.
Chair of the SIC’s Education and Families Committee, George Smith: “It is clear that without this service many families would have found the last few months even more difficult. I would wish to thank Lesley Simpson, Sam Flaws and the Early Learning and Childcare team who have worked so hard to organise things and all our wonderful staff who have worked tirelessly to provide childcare for essential workers as well as providing the hubs for some our more vulnerable young people. I would also thank the childminders and partner providers for their work - it really has been a community effort.”
The Scottish Government has now given the green light for all childcare providers, including childminders, to reopen, meaning that parents now have access to the usual childcare services that are available throughout Shetland.
Shetland Islands Council acknowledges that the soft start arrangements to support the full time return to schools may pose some short-term challenges for working families. Private childcare providers such as Hame fae Hame and Peerie Foxes are open, as are a number of childminders. Islesburgh Out of School will also open for full days next week.
Director of Children’s Services, Helen Budge, highlights the importance of a soft start for children returning to school: “I am delighted that we are able to re-open our schools and recognise that it is over four months now since many of our bairns will have been in school. For this reason I have endorsed a soft start for the bairns to enable them to reconnect with staff and their peers. Most of them will be experiencing some form of transition into a new class or stage and we need to support them with these changes. They will be provided with information around the new health and safety measures that are in place in order to ensure the health and wellbeing of the whole school community. The soft start will enable staff to give the bairns time to settle into school as they continue with their learning.”