Online form launched for Moray's key workers
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MORAY'S key workers can now apply for childcare provision to support them to work during the COVID-19 outbreak.
As indicated by Scotland's first minister on Sunday, the provision has limited capacity.
Moray Council is prioritising the children of category one workers in the first instance. An online form has been launched for parents to apply for places.
Category one, as set out by the Scottish Government, are: health and care workers directly supporting COVID response, and associated staff; health and social care workers supporting life-threatening emergency work, as well as critical primary and community care provisional energy suppliers (small numbers identified as top priority already); staff providing childcare/learning for other category one staff, and Ministry of Defence category one workers.
RAF Lossiemouth category one workers have already been identified – there is no need for these families to complete the form.
Kinloss Barracks personnel who wish to be considered are required to fill out the form in order to be assessed.
Residents who consider themselves as eligible under categories one to three should complete the form by 10pm on Tuesday, March 24.
Once category one places are allocated, further categories will be considered on a priority basis. Descriptions of all categories are available on the online form.
Families will be contacted directly, using the contact details provided, by the end of the week, with centres operational from Monday, March 30. These hubs will offer childcare between 8am-6pm, for children aged 0-14.
Hub schools are: Millbank Primary; Keith Primary; Lhanbryde Primary; Aberlour Primary; Greenwards Primary; Seafield Primary; Kinloss Primary; St Gerardine Primary. For pre-school children, there will also be provision available through local partner providers.
Moray Council chief executive Roddy Burns said: "Colleagues across the council have been working flat-out to get these hubs up-and-running. It takes a tremendous amount of planning, from identifying suitable locations, sourcing staff, organising transport and catering, to contacting families.
"We're doing all we can to support families and the wider community across Moray, while continuing to deliver critical public services in extremely difficult circumstances."
Applications will be assessed as a matter of urgency. Moray Council may contact applicants' employers directly to confirm the applicant's status and relevant information.
Families are urged not to contact their child's school directly.
