Pupils who receive free school meals in Flintshire will get a packed lunch delivered to their home from Monday

Despite the enforced closure of schools in the UK due to the coronavirus outbreak, Flintshire Council will continue to provide free meals to those children who qualify for them.

From Monday, March 30, pupils who normally receive free school meals will have a packed lunch delivered directly to their home address.

There is no requirement for pupils to be visiting their school or hub sites.

This service, provided by NEWydd Catering & Cleaning in partnership with Flintshire County Council, is in place of the usual school meals provided.

A council spokesperson said: “Please ensure that you read the food allergy advice information on the food packaging to avoid any food intolerances.

Please note that these are interim arrangements and as arrangements change we will let you know.

If parents have any enquiries or concerns, please contact Flintshire County Council on 01352 752121 or email  freeschoolmeals@flintshire.gov.uk”

HUBS

Childcare provision for key workers and vulnerable learners is changing as of Monday, Flintshire Council has announced.  

During the first week of the enforced closure, schools offered childcare provision for key workers and vulnerable learners.

The council has now consolidated the provision into 12 “strategically” located made up of 22 primary, secondary and special school, close to major traffic routes in both urban and rural areas with be in operation. 

School buildings have been chosen due to their location, their size and their classroom layout, and also to ensure a spread of provision across the County within easy reach.

The “model” will allow the Council to re-prioritise its catering and school transport services to support the children accessing the hubs.

The council website states: “Normal school transport has now ceased and from Monday, 30 March where possible, we ask that parents arrange home to school transport of their own child/children to and from the Hub they will be attending.

However, where this is not possible, transport can be provided.”

Hubs will operate from 8.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Children will be fed free of charge – breakfast, lunch and a light afternoon snack.

“Most parents will be able to drop off and collect their children, but if this is not possible, the Council can arrange transport on request.

Arrangements for the school holidays are currently being considered.

We can assure parents that having fewer sites does not mean larger groups of children together.

Schools will have plans in place to keep children in the hub sites in very small groups in classrooms, and during break and meal times.

They will ensure that social distancing guidelines are followed.

Being in a new building that they are not familiar with is something parents and children might be anxious about.

Wherever possible, children from the same school will be put together in the small groups, so there will be someone they know.” The council said 

Staff from each local school will be working in their area hub so there should be “friendly faces the children will recognise and be comforted by.”

“As this is a childcare provision and not statutory education, there will be no separate hubs for Welsh medium or for faith.

Usual practices around the safeguarding of children will continue.” A council statement goes on to say. 

Each individual school will manage the booking process for parents so they will know who to expect each day, and to ensure that individual needs are met.

Parents will be asked to complete a simple registration form with essential details. Schools will be contacting parents directly with the details of how to book places. 

“We anticipate that parents will probably use their nearest hub but if another hub is more convenient because of travel routes, they can access places there and will be supported by their ‘home’ headteacher to do so.

If you still have concerns or queries you should now direct them to your ‘home school’ headteacher who is fully briefed and ready to support you.

The Council is confident that this is the most sustainable and resilient model to deliver this much needed childcare, and will provide the resources to make them a success.   

Arrangements for the school holidays are currently being considered.” Flintshire Council said. 

There will be 12 area hubs: