Keyworkers_240320

We are called to be the hands and face of Jesus as we learn, love and grow together
Headteacher: Mr J White BEd (Hons) NPQH
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School
Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage, Herts., SG1 1NJ
Tel: 01438 729555
Email: admin@stvincent.herts.sch.uk
www.stvincent.herts.sch.uk
24 th March 2020
Dear parents and carers
KEYWORKER CHILDCARE
Following Mr Johnson’s announcement yesterday, you will be aware that further restrictions are in place for
everyone across the UK. As such the number of active ‘keyworkers’ will have reduced and the school only
expects to be making provision for those families who absolutely need it: i.e. those families where either a
single parent or both partners are deemed as an essential worker who cannot work from home. It is important
that we limit the number of pupils in school as the Government’s strategy is that unless it is essential (as per the
Government’s decision), stay at home. Our school staff only remain as ‘Keyworkers’ themselves, when they are
needed and, therefore, to protect the team and to reduce the number of potential contact points, I am keen
to have the smallest safe and workable staff team on site as possible as well as the smallest possible number
of children. Social distancing matters significantly!
Therefore, if you do not currently need emergency child care or if your shift pattern has changed, please let us
know TODAY via keyworker@stvincent.herts.sch.uk. Where we are expecting more children than actually
attend, I am asking more staff to attend than need to and this potentially compromises the sustainability of a
wider staffing pool in the long term.
Please help me to be able to offer this essential care for as long as it is needed by giving us timely and accurate
information. We appreciate that many working in hospitals are likely to be facing extended shifts in future
weeks and we will do all that we can to provide for any increase in demand that is required and understand that
this may be at short notice.
The school would like to be able to offer a limited childcare service over what would have been the Easter break
(Fortnight beginning 6 th April, not including Bank Holidays on Friday 10 th and Monday 13 th April) for those
essential workers who are required to work and do not have any other childcare options. We will need to know
expected numbers as soon as possible in order that we can see whether this is feasible. Again, please
email keyworker@stvincent.herts.sch.uk asap and place ‘Easter’ in the subject line.
Yours sincerely
Mr White (Headteacher)