Lochhead: childcare flexibility in Moray over summer is key

Richard Lochhead is urging the Moray Council to ensure that childcare arrangements are as flexible as possible over the summer months.

Moray's MSP has praised the teachers and staff who have been working in the school hubs, supporting vulnerable children and the children of key workers, since the schools closed in March.

This week Moray Council launched a survey for key workers to assess their childcare needs over the summer.

Mr Lochhead is encouraging all key workers to respond to ensure that the council can support local families through the coming weeks.

Moray's MSP is also urging the local authority to take a flexible approach to childcare delivery ahead of schools reopening in August, in order to meet the needs of key workers and vulnerable children.

He said: "Over the last few months the support provided through the Council’s childcare hubs have been essential for key workers and vulnerable families across Moray.

"Childcare is a big issue for families and carers, many of whom have been in touch with me.

"The feedback I’ve had from local families has been very positive and the staff deserve huge praise for the way they’re caring for children in our communities, at a time that has been unsettling for many kids.

"We need that support to continue over the coming weeks and I know that the Moray Council is working hard to assess the childcare needs of key workers over the summer holidays.

"I’d encourage everyone who is eligible for a childcare place to respond to the Council’s survey so the authority can put plans in place to meet the local need.

"I would urge the Moray Council to be as flexible as it possibly can be, in the terms of delivering this vital childcare provision over the summer period, so as we can ensure that vulnerable children, and key workers and their families are supported as best as possible."

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