Childcare during October half-term holidays

Wiltshire Council has worked with local childminders and activity providers to create a childcare and activity directory to help parents find childcare during the October half-term school holidays.

The directory is now available to all parents looking for childcare during the half-term holidays. It can be viewed on the Wiltshire Council website at wiltshire.gov.uk/early-years-and-childcare and scrolling down to Holiday childcare and activity directory. Parents can also email schoolholidayprovision@wiltshire.gov.uk for details of providers in their area. There is a charge for all provision detailed in the directory.

Local providers have provided details of the activities they are offering, including charges, accessibility and location, to help parents plan how to keep their children busy during the October half-term holiday.

Wiltshire Council has asked all providers to ensure they have the necessary protocols and checks in place to enable them to adhere to the latest government guidance on social distancing. Parents are reminded to always thoroughly research any childcare provision themselves before booking places for their children.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills said: “We know that many families are facing challenging times at the moment and that some parents will need to work during the October half-term school holidays. We hope that this directory will make it easier for parents to find affordable COVID-19 secure childcare during the holidays.

“This is not an exhaustive list, but it does provide a range of paid-for childcare provision from across Wiltshire which we hope parents and carers will find useful.

“We are grateful to the providers who have come forward and we hope families will find this extremely useful.“

Families are advised to keep up to date with latest government guidance as they plan their October half-term holidays.