Parents and carers who have been classed as key workers can receive free childcare during the May half-term next week.

Swindon Borough Council provided up to 30 hours of funded childcare to 476 children over the Easter holidays and is now making more hours available as part of its #HereForSwindon support package.

The funding will enable childcare providers to stay open when they are needed most while at the same time keeping childcare staff in employment.

Parents who are classed as key workers and who have not been able to secure childcare to allow them to carry out their critical roles should get in touch with the council’s education and childcare teams as soon as possible.

As long as one parent is classed as a key worker under the government definition, the family qualifies for childcare through local schools and other local providers.

But children should be cared for at home wherever possible to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Coun Russell Holland said: “Our key workers have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic and we want to take some of the pressure off them by providing this free childcare during the holiday period.

“If any critical workers still need childcare provision for the school holiday next week please contact our Education and Childcare teams, who will be only too happy to help them make the necessary arrangements.”

Any parents who cannot safely leave their children at home should email earlyeducation@swindon.gov.uk