Conservative led Wiltshire Council has worked with local childminders and activity providers to create a childcare directory for use by critical workers during the upcoming Easter holidays.
The directory has been shared with health partners initially to ensure Wiltshire residents working directly to support the COVID-19 response have access to childcare provision. There is a charge for all provision detailed in the directory.
This information will also be available to any parents looking for paid-for childcare during the Easter holidays who require this. Parents are asked to email [email protected] for details of providers in their area.
The first option for any parent needing childcare during the Easter school holidays is to consider forming a childcare bubble locally.
The government has said that people who need childcare during the school holidays for a child under 14 can form a childcare bubble with one other household. Ideally this should be with somebody who live locally. Additional guidance on forming childcare bubbles can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-childcare-bubble-with-another-household
Where a childcare bubble is not possible, Wiltshire Council is able to share our directory with details of local childcare providers, fees and locations with contact details, with those who need to access childcare in order to work. Visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/child-care-choosing-a-pre-school-or-nursery and scroll down to Easter Childcare Directory.
Wiltshire Council has asked local providers to send details of their activities including charges, accessibility and location to help parents plan how to keep children busy during the Easter holiday.
Wiltshire Council has also asked all providers to ensure they have the necessary protocols and checks in place including procedures that enable them to adhere to the latest government guidance on social distancing. Parents are reminded to always thoroughly research any childcare provision themselves before booking places for their children.
Lucy Townsend, corporate Director People said:
We know that there will be families who will be looking for childcare for their children during the Easter holidays. We published a similar directory of provision available during the February half term holiday and this was used by over 30 families struggling to find suitable childcare.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it does provide a range of paid-for childcare provision from across Wiltshire which we hope parents and carers will find useful.
We are grateful to the providers who have come forward and we hope families will find this extremely useful.
Families are advised to keep up to date with latest government guidance as they plan their Easter holidays.
