Four of Liverpool’s childcare hubs – set up to provide support for key workers such as NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic – will not reopen next week, due to low numbers.
The council opened 50 centres in primary schools last Monday, and over the last few days the number of children using them each day has dropped from around 1100 to 600
Now four of the centres – which between them are looking after just 18 children – will be closed and parents directed to other nearby hubs from Monday 30 March.
The four closing, and the alternative provision, are:
Pleasant Street Primary in L7 (redirected to St Nicholas Primary School)
Greenbank Primary in L18 (redirected to Liverpool College)
Kingsley Primary in L8 (redirected to Windsor Primary)
St Philomena’s Primary in L9 (redirected to Holy Name Primary in L10).
Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Steve Reddy, said: “We have had some incredibly positive feedback from parents about the hubs, which are proving to be a real lifeline for key workers providing essential roles.
“Demand has dropped over the last few days as parents have been able to make alternative arrangements for their children.
“We said at the outset we would keep reviewing the situation and that is what we have done, which is why we have chosen to close a small number of the least well used hubs.
“We will continue to monitor the numbers and staffing at each hub and make further changes as and when necessary, and communicate that to parents.”
The full list of hubs – and eligible key workers – can be viewed here
