Inverclyde Now Logo VITAL Staff Able To Keep Working Thanks To Inverclyde’s Childcare Hubs

1 April, 2020 | Local

CHILDCARE hubs for key workers during the coronavirus outbreak are up and running across Inverclyde -– with almost 100 young people attending at 11 centres.

The council-run facilities have been set up at schools and nurseries for children of parents who are providing vital services amid the Covid-19 pandemic, including the NHS and other health and social care staff, and the emergency services.

The hubs launched last week and are now well-established with places offered to all category one and two key workers, as outlined by the Scottish Government, and some category three personnel.

Centres are being run by education staff from across Inverclyde who volunteered to help out. They are being supported by a variety of other local authority employees, including secretaries, janitors, cooks and delivery drivers, to ensure phones are answered, facilities are kept clean and tidy and that children are fed.

At the Inverclyde Academy hub, Freya Skilling, left, Shaya Cummings, and teacher Rhona Findlay, who is from Inverkip Primary.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “On behalf of the council, I’d like to thank each and every member of staff involved in these childcare hubs for ensuring that our other key workers in the likes of the NHS and emergency services can continue doing their best to keep us all heathly and safe during these unprecedented and challenging times.

“There’s been a monumental effort across the board to get these hubs set up almost overnight and for them to be running so smoothly is testament to that.

“It’s great to see that the children and staff attending these centres are also having so much fun in a safe and responsible manner during these extremely difficult times.”

Childcare hubs are strictly for key workers and only to be used if a parent’s work situation is critical. Places at each centre are dependent on the availability of staff and all efforts are being made to accommodate as many children as possible.

Each hub is equipped with hand-sanitizing stations, cleaning wipes and rubber gloves, and there is even a ban on holding doors open for each other to ensure the strictest compliance with government health and safety and social-distancing measures of staying two metres apart.

The pupils must wash their hands regularly throughout the day and are kept in very small groups for everyone’s safety.

Staff work in two shifts -– morning and afternoon –- with activities taking place indoors and outside.

At Inverclyde Academy, around 15 children aged between four and 12 have been attending each day. They can draw and colour in an art room, read or log onto a computer in the library or keep fit and play games, such as table tennis and badminton, in the PE hall. There is also a nursery class for younger children.

Susan Chambers, Inverclyde Academy deputy head teacher, said: “The feedback from parents and children alike has been extremely positive.”

The 11 key worker childcare hubs, the schools and nurseries they apply to and contact details for each centre are listed below.

To inquire about the availability of places, phone the hubs directly, between 8.30am and 3pm.


Glenpark Hub, Madeira Street, Greenock (01475 715620) open to pupils from Wellpark Children’s Centre and Glenpark Early Learning Centre

Bluebird Hub, St Joseph’s Primary Community Wing, Wren Road, Greenock (01475 715722) open to pupils from Bluebird Family Centre, Binnie Street Children’s Centre and Larkfield Children’s Centre

Craigmarloch Hub, Craigmarloch School, Port Glasgow Campus (01475 715345) open to pupils from Craigmarloch School

Inverclyde Academy Hub, Inverclyde Academy, Cumberland Road, Greenock (01475 715100) open to pupils from Inverclyde Academy, Inverkip Primary, Wemyss Bay Primary, Aileymill Primary, St Andrew’s Primary and St Joseph’s Primary

Lady Alice Hub, Lady Alice Primary, Inverkip Road, Greenock (01475 715743) open to pupils from Notre Dame High, St Patrick’s Primary, Whinhill Primary and Lady Alice Primary

Clydeview Hub, Clydeview Academy, Burnside Road, Gourock (01475 715050) open to pupils from Clydeview Academy, Ardgowan Primary and St Mary’s Primary

Moorfoot Hub, Moorfoot Primary, Moorfoot Drive, Gourock (01475 715701) open to pupils from Gourock Primary, St Ninian’s Primary, St Columba’ High and Moorfoot Primary

All Saints’ Hub, All Saints’ Primary, Blairmore Road, Greenock (01475 715640) open to pupils from King’s Oak Primary and All Saints’ Primary

Glenbrae Hub, Glenbrae Children’s Centre, Kilmacolm Road, Greenock (01475 714987) open to pupils from Glenbrae Children’s Centre, Hillend Children’s Centre, Blairmore Nursery and King’s Oak Nursery Class

Newark Hub, Newark Primary, Bridgend Avenue, Port Glasgow (01475 715600) open to pupils from Port Glasgow High, St Stephen’s High, St Francis’ Primary, St Michael’s Primary, St John’s Primary, Newark Primary, Kilmacolm Primary and Gibshill Children’s Centre

Rainbow Hub, Oronsay Avenue, Port Glasgow (01475 715724) open to pupils from Rainbow Family Centre

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