If you are concerned about school or childcare, please read the following information:
- Questions on schooling and childcare are best directed to your local council in the first instance. You can find their contact details at https://www.mygov.scot/find-your-local-council/.
- With the exception of households where both parents are key workers, schools are currently closed to all pupils until at least 1 February. Your child should be able to access remote learning through their regular school.
- Children of keyworkers can still attend school while closures are ongoing. Parents should contact their local authority to arrange this in the first instance. Further information on eligible categories of key workers can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-school-re-opening-arrangements-for-january-2021/pages/children-of-keyworkers/.
- Most formal childcare settings are also closed until at least 1 February. Children of key workers can still access childcare throughout this period and parents should contact their local authority in the first instance to arrange this. Childminding services that care for 12 children or less may also remain open during this period.
- Informal childcare whereby a member of an ‘extended household’ provides childcare is still permitted. Further information on all childcare options that remain available can be found at the Parent Club website at https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/your-guide-childcare.
- Parents are advised not to rely on those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category (such as grandparents or family members with underlying conditions) for childcare. You can check who is in the at-risk category here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-social-distancing.
- If your child receives free school meals during term time then they will still receive this provision while schools remain closed, and during the upcoming February and Easter school holidays. Details of this provision will be decided by local authorities and may consist of either payments made directly to your bank account, food vouchers, or food parcels. Further enquiries are best directed towards your local council in the first instance. You can find their contact details at https://www.mygov.scot/find-your-local-council/.
- If you are concerned about what to do if your child displays symptoms of COVID-19, or when you should book a test, further information is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/common-cold-and-covid-19-symptoms-advice-for-parents-and-carers/.
- Advice for parents and carers on managing the impact of COVID-19 on their child’s learning and family life is available at https://www.parentclub.scot/topics/health/coronavirus.