Childcare hubs across Perth and Kinross are extending their opening times to allow key workers to continue working during weekends.
The council’s five Children’s Activity Centres will now open seven days a week.
The will also remain open over the Easter holiday period.
Sheena Devlin, the council’s executive director of education and children’s services, paid tribute to the staff who run the venues.
Ms Devlin said: “Staff running the centres are doing a crucial job that in turn allows other key workers to perform their vital roles.
“Providing childcare seven days a week will help critical services meet the demands placed on them at weekends.”
The five centres are located at North Inch Campus, Kinross Primary School, Community School of Auchterarder, Newhill Campus, Blairgowrie and Invergowrie Primary School.
However, concerns had been raised that no provisions have been made in Highland Perthshire at either Breadalbane Academy or Pitlochry High School.
Independent councillor Xander McDade said: “Since the locations of the hubs were announced I have had a lot of constituents contact me to query why one is not being offered in Highland Perthshire.
“I’m currently trying to find out the reasons behind this decision and hope a resolution can be found for those key workers now struggling for childcare locally.”
Conservative councillor John Duff said: “Locally in Highland Perthshire, due to the numbers involved, these requirements are currently being met through alternative arrangements with childcare providers.
“Personally, I have been contacted by three families in the area who are awaiting a decision regarding their circumstances. However, I can confirm that the members of the applications team are working long hours to ensure that the needs are being met as far as is possible.”
The local authority has said more hubs may be required if the demand is identified.
A council spokesperson said: “Perth and Kinross Council carried out a survey of key workers and their childcare needs which was then used to determine the location of our five Children’s Activity Centres.
“We prioritised to ensure that we could accommodate all Category 1 Key Worker requests.
“In the Highland Perthshire area we have been able to provide appropriate provision for those who met the criteria without, at this stage, the need to establish an activity centre.”
