After-school care groups open doors

JONATHAN GEDDES

After-school care groups in Rutherglen and Cambuslang have started to re-open.

Some council-run premises were given the green light to re-start from Monday.

The news comes as South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) begin to re-establish its schools and hall letting programme in line with lockdown easing. However, the resumption will only apply to existing after-school care group bookings, as Scottish Government advice does not yet allow for the reopening of community halls.

SLLC’s bookings team is currently contacting the after-school care groups included in this first re-opening phase and advising of all compulsory measures needed to re-start safely, specific to each group.

David Booth, general manager of SLLC, said:“After-school care groups provide an important service to working parents and we are keen to begin to reintroduce this service where safe to do so.

“At the moment we have identified and contacted the applicable groups and will work closely with them to ensure all industry body Covid-19 safety measures and controls are in place.

“Our aim is to allow just over a week for children and staff to familiarise themselves with their new normal, before introducing these additional out of school activities to the school estate.

“Many of these groups have been running for years, working closely with head teachers, and we are confident these relationships and close working traditions will help to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.”

Proposals for further stages of after-school care and general schools and community hall letting, will be subject to future discussion and approval.