Partner nurseries to be included in schools coronavirus testing scheme

MOVES to include private partner nurseries in the Covid testing scheme being rolled out in schools have been welcomed.

Councillor Tim Eagle (Buckie, Conservative) had raised questions with Moray Council following being contacted by partner nurseries who were disappointed they were not included in testing scheme put in place when early years and P1-P3 resumed on Monday, February 22.

He said: “I was surprised to be contacted by our private nursery providers, many of which who work in our school buildings, who confirmed that they had not been offered Covid-19 testing in line with what was offered to primary schools and council run nurseries.”

“Our early learning offer is vital for our youngest people and many of our partner nurseries are working with children from a variety of backgrounds across many different households.

"It is absolutely right that we have testing in place for our council run schools and nurseries, but this falls down when we have a school being tested but not the private provider working in the same building.

“I contacted the education department about this and I am pleased to hear that they have now been included and information about the distribution centres will be shared with partners. This is due to start the first week in March.”