IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Chris McLoughlin - Director of Children’s Services
27th March 2020
A message to parents/carers of children across Stockport, from early years, children’s and education service leaders.
First of all, we want to thank you, our community, for your support in these unprecedented times.
We are conscious that you may be very anxious, as are our staff (many of whom are also parents/carers) about the current situation.
We want to reassure you that our headteachers and leaders from across all age ranges and types of early years settings, schools and colleges are working together with the professional associations, the local authority and our health partners to provide the best service that we can for your children.
Most of our early years’ settings, schools and colleges have remained open as a place of safety for the most vulnerable children and the children of key workers who are needed to keep our frontline services working.
The early years settings, schools and colleges that are open are no longer providing education in a way that we would have previously recognised. Instead they are providing care and a safe environment.
We want to thank you for respecting the view that, wherever possible, children should be cared for at home. This is the view of central government. We also appreciate that you have avoided contacting early years settings, schools and colleges unless the matter has been urgent and about your child’s welfare and safety.
We have worked together across Stockport to ensure that resources and support are in place for children both in childcare and education settings and at home. Over the coming weeks you, as parents/carers, can be assured that services will continue to work to the best of our ability to support your needs and that of your children. Please rest assured that as the requirements of our communities become clearer, we will make every endeavour to respond with the resources that we have. We understand that this is a worrying time for all. We have developed information, advice and resources to keep you updated and to support you and your family. You can access these by clicking here. (https://stockport.fsd.org.uk/kb5/stockport/fsd/localoffer.page)
Please also visit the council’s webpages (https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus) for the latest information, advice and support in relation to Coronavirus.
Thank you again for your support. Between us we can keep Stockport as safe as it can be.
Chris McLoughlin
Director of Children’s Services