Timescales for the next round of applications for emergency childcare:-

Applications for emergency childcare for the week commencing 15^th June  is live on the Council’s website today Sunday (7^th June).  

-          Parents / carers have until 11:59pm on Tuesday 9^th June to apply.

-          Late applications received after Thursday 11^th June will not be accepted.

2.    The number of hubs offering emergency childcare is now 25 - please see the Council’s website and the application forms for the full list of emergency childcare hubs. 
Please note that some hubs are now Welsh medium only and some hubs offer provision for certain age ranges only.  Please read the description of each hub fully when making an application to ensure a suitable hub is selected.

3.    People who must apply:-

-          Key / essential workers must re-apply weekly, as requirements / shift patterns etc. change regularly and we need to ensure the numbers of applications / hub attendees are as accurate as possible so that the hubs can be staffed appropriately.

-          Parents / carers of vulnerable learners and parents / carers of special school pupils who are already attending an emergency childcare setting do not need to re-apply on a weekly basis. Their attendance will be ongoing, but they must e-mail schoolplanning@rctcbc.gov.uk if they no longer require a place.

-          Any parents / carers of vulnerable learners and parents / carers of special school pupils who are not currently attending one of the hubs must make an initial application for a place and complete the appropriate registration documents.

Opening up childcare and education
What
 Schools will start the next phase on 29 June, with the term extended by a week, therefore ending on 27 July.
 Autumn half-term break will be expanded to two weeks.
 Further Education colleges will re-open from 15 June for students requiring licence to practice
assessments and vulnerable learners.
 Childcare providers will also increase the numbers of children in attendance from 29 June.

How
 In each school there will be a phased approach.
 Year groups will be split into cohorts with staggered starts, lessons and breaks.
 It is expected that this will mean, at most, a third of pupils present at any one time, though schools
may need time to reach this level of operation.
 Much smaller classes, providing secure dedicated time with teachers and classmates.
 This time will include online and personalised classroom experience, getting children and teachers
ready for a similar experience in September.

Why
 Since the decision to close schools for statutory provision, our understanding of the virus and its longer-term impacts has continued to develop.
 We know that we are going to have to live with it for some time.
 We know that it will remain our biggest challenge for the foreseeable future.
 It is now 77 days since we took that decision.
 We know that the classroom experience will be different for a long time to come.
 What we are doing is creating the opportunity for children to Check in, Catch Up and Prepare
before the start of September.

What next
 Next week, the Welsh Government will publish guidance to support childcare, schools, as well as further and higher education institutions.
 This will include information on managing their facilities and logistical arrangements, including buildings, resources, cleaning and transport.

Ar ran / On behalf of:  Gaynor Davies,  Cyfarwyddwr y Gwasanaeth Addysg a Chynhwysiant / Director of Education and Inclusion Services

Today, the Welsh Government announced that pupils will have the opportunity to return to school from 29th June for 4 weeks before the summer holidays. Pupils will be taught in small groups but will not be in school every day. Only a third of the pupils will be in school at any one time. This is the opportunity for pupils to see their teachers, reflect and catch up on their learning and prepare for September. Every child will be different and schools will allow for individual family circumstances and parental choice as to whether children attend before the summer.

Further information will be shared with all parents and carers over the coming weeks as we receive the guidance from Welsh Government.

Timescales for the next round of applications for emergency childcare:-

Applications for emergency childcare for the week commencing 8^th June is live on the Council’s website this Sunday (31^st May).  

-          Parents / carers have until 11:59pm on Tuesday 2^nd June to apply.

2.       The number of hubs offering emergency childcare is now 25 - please see the Council’s website and the application forms for the full list of emergency childcare hubs. 
 

3.       People who must apply:-

-          Key / essential workers must re-apply weekly, as requirements / shift patterns etc. change regularly and we need to ensure the numbers of applications / hub attendees are as accurate as possible so that the hubs can be staffed appropriately.

-          Parents / carers of vulnerable learners and parents / carers of special school pupils who are already attending an emergency childcare setting do not need to re-apply on a weekly basis. Their attendance will be ongoing, but they must e-mail schoolplanning@rctcbc.gov.uk if they no longer require a place.

-          Any parents / carers of vulnerable learners and parents / carers of special school pupils who are not currently attending one of the hubs must make an initial application for a place and complete the appropriate registration documents.

Dear Parents/Carers,

From the 1st of June (after the Whitsun half-term)additional Hubs are opening across the area to support our families and children. This increase in hubs is to address the growth in demand for emergency childcare across the County Borough. 

Porth Community School (PCS) is Alaw’s nearest Hub. Parents are encouraged to consider if they would like to send their children there however all hubs will be accessible to you to select from when you make your weekly application - however Alaw staff will only be based at PCS. Information is detailed on the RCT website and we would recommend you review these when you make an application for the week after half term as they may be more accessible to you but will not be supported by staff from your child's own school.

Please note that there is no official confirmation on when the re-opening of all schools in Wales will take place. We have however been provided with reassurance by the Minister of Education that a three week notice period will be given prior to any phased re-opening of schools. All national and local decisions will be informed by the current medical advice and guidance so that the health, safety and wellbeing of our children,

school staff and community remains our top priority focus.

Should you have any queries in relation to the hub provision, please contact schoolplanning@rctcbc.gov.uk or leave an answer phone message at school, email admin.alawprimary@rctcbc.gov.uk or email your child’s class teacher - details found on the school website www.alawprimaryschool.co.uk

Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Miss Davies

Timescales for the next round of applications for emergency childcare:-

Applications for emergency childcare for the week commencing 1^st June is live on the Council’s website from 8am this coming Sunday (24^th May).  

-          Parents / carers have until 11:59pm on Tuesday 26^th May to apply

-          Applications received after the deadline will take longer to process and will result in a delay to the availability of a place. 

2.       The number of hubs offering emergency childcare is increasing from 13 to 25 - please see the Council’s website and the application forms for the full list of emergency childcare hubs.

3.       People who must apply:-

-          Key / essential workers must re-apply weekly, as requirements / shift patterns etc. change regularly and we need to ensure the numbers of applications / hub attendees are as accurate as possible so that the hubs can be staffed appropriately.

-          Parents / carers of vulnerable learners and parents / carers of special school pupils who are already attending an emergency childcare setting do not need to formally re-apply via the website, but must let their setting know if they will be attending during the Whitsun half term week, so that accurate numbers will be known for staffing purposes.

-          Any parents / carers of vulnerable learners and parents / carers of special school pupils who are not currently attending one of the hubs must make an initial application for a place and complete the appropriate registration documents.

Please see the parents section on the website to

locate the information/resources.

Click onto the COVID advice and guidance section. 

Help us to keep our children safe

Due to the lockdown caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic, thousands of children within Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend, are remaining at home, which unfortunately is not always the safest place for some. There is a hidden group of children potentially at risk of abuse or neglect who are having much less interaction with statutory services. 

It is for this reason that the Chairs of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board are urging the public to help our children to stay safe during the Covid-19 Pandemic, by being vigilant and looking out for any signs that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect.  

If anyone does have concerns, please do not turn the other way. We all have a duty to report and it's easy to do so. Simply contact your local Safeguarding Team on one of the numbers below:

▪ Rhondda Cynon Taf (Children)- 01443 425006

▪ Merthyr Tydfil - 01685 725000

▪ Bridgend (Children) - 01656 642320

Opening Hours:

▪ Monday - Thursday: 8.30am - 5.00pm

▪ Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm

▪ Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays: Closed

Out of Hours Emergencies 

To contact social care services outside office hours, at weekends and bank holidays, contact the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Emergency Duty Team on 01443 743665 (this covers RCT, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend).

If you suspect a child is at immediate risk of harm call 999 and speak to the Police.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business!

www.ctmsb.org.uk

Today is the Joy of Moving festival!

It's all about fun packed activities designed to get you moving at home. Children from all around the country will be taking part this week, and this afternoon we would like you to join in!

All children in KS2 will be sent this pack this morning and asked to take part. Please take plenty of pictures to share with your teacher on Seesaw. We want to see all of the fun that you have!

Families, if you decide to share photos on social media, please use the hashtags: #JOMHomeFestival #EFLCommunities #JoyofMoving and tag @CCFC_Foundation , @JoyofMovingUK and @alawprimary! These will be shared at http://www.joyofmovingresourcehub.co.uk/

Please find all the activities here!