Fife Council has opened a number of school buildings across the region to provide education for the children of parents on the frontline in the fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
In all 29 children’s activity centres have been set up which will cater for the offspring of key workers and for pupils with additional education needs and those deemed vulnerable.
The centres are expected to be fully operational by the end of this week but will only be available for those parents who have gone through an application process and been approved.
Carrie Lindsay, executive director of Education and Children’s Services, said: “This service is for children where both parents are key workers, or where there is a lone parent who is a keyworker.
“If parents have any other options for childcare when they are working, they should use these. These centres should be a last resort for parents who have no other choice. You may feel it will be better to keep your children at home.
“Parents must have already registered with a centre before their child can attend.
“They will have received a link to the registration form if they are a category 1 key worker.
“We have a limited amount of space within our centres as the children need to be in smaller groups and spaced out to keep them safe, but we will be following all public health guidance within our centres.
“There will be clear instructions for children when they arrive at the centre, on how they can keep themselves and others safe.”
The schools will now not provide free school meals to those eligible due to the latest advice.
Mrs Lindsay added: “We understand fully the impact that can have on some of our children and the pressure this can put on families who are struggling financially.
“This decision was taken following advice from Public Health Scotland.
“We have now managed to set up an alternative arrangement. On Wednesday a payment will be made to all families who are already registered for FME/school clothing grant and for any P1-3s registered for free school milk.”
School provision will be provided at the following sites for those eligible to attend:
- Cowdenbeath: Foulford Primary School, Foulford Nursery
- Cupar: Castlehill Primary School, Westfield Family Nurture Centre
- Dunfermline: Duloch Primary School, Duloch Nursery School
- East Neuk: Anstruther Primary School, Anstruther Nursery
- Glenrothes: Pitcoudie Primary School,Pitcoudie Nursery
- Inverkeithing: Inverkeithing Primary School, Treetop Family Nurture Centre
- Kirkcaldy: Fair Isle Family Nurture Centre, Fair Isle Primary School, Burntisland Primary School, Burntisland Nursery
- Levenmouth: Buckhaven Primary School, Buckhaven Nursery
- Lochgelly: Benarty Primary School, Benarty Nursery
- St Andrews: Greyfriars Primary School, St Andrew’s Nursery
- Tay Bridge Head: Newport Primary School, Newport Nursery
- West Fife: Inzievar Primary School, Holy Name Primary School, Inzievar Nursery School
- Children requiring pupil support services: Calaiswood Special School Rosslyn Special School