Dorset Council has been working with schools to make sure vulnerable children and those whose parents are critical workers continue to be cared for over the school holiday.

Schools are working together in local clusters to make sure children who need to go to school can. This may mean bringing children from several local schools together into one school depending on the number of children and the amount of staff cover.

Cllr Andrew Parry, portfolio holder for children, education and early help, said,

“We’re working with schools to make sure families whose children receive free school meals continue to do so over Easter. We know this is a difficult time for many families so want to make sure we continue to support them during the holidays too. I’d like to thank our schools for agreeing to help with this and we will make sure they are reimbursed for this additional support.”

More information is available on the website dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/coronavirus including a list of childcare settings (such as nurseries and pre-schools) that are still open for children of key workers