Am I a key worker? Definition and what happens now
FRONTLINE health and social care staff, people involved in food production and delivery, and utility workers are included in those deemed "essential" to the Covid-19 response.
The Government has published a list of coronavirus "key workers" whose children will continue to be cared for at nursery and school. Here’s what to do next if you are one of them.
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According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, there are an estimated 'key workers' in the UK, making up 22% of all working-age adults.
Employees who are unsure whether they a 'key worker' should speak to their employers to check.
If your school is closed then you'll have to who will try to allocate your child a place at another local school in your area.
The Government is encouraging all registered childcare providers, schools and colleges to remain open over the Easter holidays to care for the children of key workers.
More detail and answers to specific questions can be found on the Government website .
What jobs are on the list?
The key worker list has been separated into eight categories.
This includes health and social care, key public services — such as those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities and journalists — and transport.
Those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery are also included.
And you are counted if you are in "administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response" in local and national government.
Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical workers by the government can send their children to nursery or school if required.
Click to see the full list of workers.
What should I do if I’m classified as a key worker?
If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors which have been listed — and you cannot keep your child safe at home — then your children will be prioritised for nursery or school.
Many nurseries and schools will be keeping open and have been sending emails about what do next.
Some were asking parents to fill in a form about what job you do.
If your provider is unable to stay open then the next step is to , who will seek to redirect you to a local school in your area that your child, or children, can attend.
The Department of Education said: "We are expecting the majority of settings to stay open for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children so they can continue to attend their usual provider, but we acknowledge this will be impossible for some — such as small rural schools.
"Where a setting is unable to stay open, we will work with the local educational authority, regional school commissioners and neighbouring providers to find an alternative setting for their pupils."
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What if my child attends nursery?
Nursery provision is being offered to all key workers along with a place at a school.
Can my kids go to school on Monday?
The Government is expecting the majority of settings to stay open for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children.
So you should be able to send them to school on Monday.
Where a nursery or school is unable to stay open, the Department of Education will work with the local educational authority, regional school commissioners and neighbouring providers to find an alternative setting for their pupils.