20^th March 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

We have just received important information from RCT with relation to childcare provision at our school.

During the week of March 23^rd – 27^th, our school will be open from 8:50am to 3.20pm for children of KEY WORKERS who DO NOT have another adult to care for them at home and also our most vulnerable learners (these will be contacted individually). In this time your child will not be provided with a statutory education it will only be childcare, however they will be provided with a lunch. You cannot access this until you complete the application online:

https://forms.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/Web/coronaviruschildcare/startnew

FREE SCHOOL MEAL children can be supplied with lunch and a breakfast for the next day from W/B 23^rd March for 2 weeks and this will need to be collected from our school between 11am and 12pm every day, however, you will need to complete an online application:

https://forms.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/Web/coronavirusfreeschoolmeals/startnew

YOU CANNOT JUST TURN UP AT THE SCHOOL WITHOUT COMPLETING THE ONLINE APPLICATION. If you cannot access this at home, please come to school and Mrs Hughes is available to help you up until 4pm today. This needs to be completed by Monday.

For the week beginning Monday 30th March, emergency childcare will be offered for children of KEY Workers in seven centres from 8am – 6pm.  The Council is exploring future home to childcare transport arrangements for 3-14 year olds from March 30^th onwards for the childcare between normal school hours. The provision for 3-14 year olds will be offered in seven school settings throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf area, namely:-

• Aberdare Community School
• Heol-Y-Celyn Primary
• Ferndale Community School
• Tonyrefail Community School
• Ysgol Nant-gwyn
• Ysgol Llanhari
• Ysgol Hen Felin (only for those pupils who require specialist provision).

For week commencing Monday 30th March, emergency childcare will be offered for vulnerable learners for core school hours only in the seven centres. The Council is exploring future transport arrangements for 3 to 14 year olds from 30^th March onwards for the emergency childcare between normal school hours. 

Please see the following for the Government definition and eligibility of key workers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Please contact the school if you need any advice,

Please take care,

Mrs Wade

Headteacher