Easter childcare for key workers as activity centres open for hols

Perth and Kinross Council’s (PKC) children’s activity centres will be open at weekends and over the Easter holiday.

The centres were opened seven days-a-week from last weekend to allow key workers to carry out their vital work during the Covid-19 outbreak.

One of the five childcare hubs is located at the Community School of Auchterarder

PKC began accepting applications from what is described as ‘category two’ occupations last week.

These include other healthcare workers, and wider public sector workers providing critical and emergency welfare services – such as those in the fire, police and prison services.

The centres will remain open over the Easter holiday period to allow essential workers to continue fulfilling their duties during that time.

Sheena Devlin is PKC’s executive director of education and children’s services.

She said: “Our staff have done a phenomenal job setting up our children’s activity centres.

“Staff running the centres are doing a crucial job that, in turn, allows other key workers to perform their vital roles.

“Providing childcare seven days-a-week will help critical services meet the demands placed on them at weekends.”

Any category one or two key worker with no alternative childcare can apply through the PKC website https://bit.ly/pkc-covid-support

The council says it will be monitoring its provision of childcare and adapt it to meet the needs of key workers, all of whom were described as “vital”.

Other centres are located at the North Inch Campus in Perth, Kinross Primary School, Blairgowrie Community Campus and Invergowrie Primary School.

The local authority has said more centres may be required depending on the identified needs of families.