03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Childcare and activities during school summer holidays in RCT

ELEVEN new locations are set to benefit from Childcare activities, known as the School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP), this summer.

The Council has applied to access funding that will offer summer holiday childcare and activities, for children aged 5-11 in mainstream settings and age 5-16 in special school settings, from 21 July to 5 August 2021. This provision will be for 12 consecutive days, from 9 am to 1:15 pm.

In total this offer will be held across 15 school sites in Rhondda Cynon Taf – Craig-yr-Hesg Primary; Darran Park Primary; Glenboi Primary; Hawthorn High School; Llanharan Primary; Mountain Ash Comprehensive; Penrhys Primary; Penywaun Primary; Perthcelyn Primary; Porth Community School; Tonyrefail Community School; Ynysboeth Primary; Ysgol Nantgwyn; Ysgol Hen Felin; Ysgol Ty Coch.

County Borough Councillor Joy Rosser, Cabinet Member for Education & Inclusion Services said:

The Council’s School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP) provides a safe, supervised place for pupils to socialise with one another during the holiday period, at a time when they may not normally see each other.

“Planning is underway to extend this provision to eleven new locations in the County Borough this summer.

“Unfortunately ‘holiday hunger’ and social isolation can sometimes occur where parents and their children do not have access to the support provided during term time over the extended period of the schools’ summer holiday. The programme also enables parents to continue working when there are no other childcare arrangements available.

“The SHEP programme seeks to provide access to a healthy breakfast and lunchtime meal as well as providing opportunities for young people in these 15 locations to access a range of meaningful activities through play as well as sport and creative sessions.

“As part of the planning for this year’s programme, the Council is seeking to engage a wide range of other Council services to compliment the programme and the support available to young people.”

The ongoing planning of this year’s programme will respond to the latest Public Health advice and restrictions.

Information on how to access this provision will be made available before the end of May.

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