Following the announcement tonight of further big changes aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus, the Minister for Education has issued the following statement saying that schools and childcare are still open for the children of critical workers, and thanking teaching and childcare professionals for their dedication in this hour of national need.
Statement by Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education
I’d like to thank parents for listening to the advice and keeping most children at home. I’d be grateful if tomorrow morning you only use schools or childcare as a last resort.
The advice has not changed as a result of tonight’s decision to further restrict movement, which our First Minister, along with other UK leaders took with the sole aim of slowing the spread of coronavirus.
Children should be at home wherever possible, critical workers will still need to have safe care arrangements for their children. Our schools and childcare settings are providing a vital service to support critical workers and our most vulnerable children.
Those involved in the current arrangements looking after children should continue. Many thanks to our amazing teaching and childcare professionals for their commitment in this time of national need.
This situation will continue for the immediate term but we will be reviewing with healthcare professionals, local authorities and our teaching unions.
Datganiad gan Kirsty Williams, Gweinidog dros Addysg
Hoffwn ddiolch i rhieni am wrando ar y cyngor a chadw’r rhan fwyaf o blant gartref. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar bore fory os fyddech ond yn defnyddio ysgolion neu ofal plant fel dewis olaf.
Nid yw’r cyngor wedi newid o ganlyniad i’r penderfyniad heno i gyfyngu ymhellach ar symud, penderfyniad a gymrwyd gan ein Prif Weinidog, ynghyd ag arweinwyr eraill y DU, gyda’r nod o arafu lledaeniad coronafeirws.
Dylai plant fod gartref lle bynnag y bo’n bosibl. Bydd angen o hyd i weithwyr critigol gael trefniadau gofal diogel ar gyfer eu plant. Mae ein hysgolion a’n lleoliadau gofal plant yn darparu gwasanaeth hanfodol i gefnogi gweithwyr critigol a’r plant sydd fwyaf agored i niwed.
Dylai’r rhai sy’n ymwneud â’r trefniadau presennol barhau i ofalu am blant. Diolch yn fawr i’n gweithwyr addysgu a gofal plant anhygoel am eu hymrwymiad yn y cyfnod hwn o angen cenedlaethol.
Bydd y sefyllfa hon yn parhau am y tymor byr ond byddwn yn adolygu gyda gweithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol, awdurdodau lleol a’n hundebau athrawon.