With most schools and early years establishments closed as a result of measures to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, South Lanarkshire has set up 26 hubs to ensure childcare is available for critical key workers in the NHS, emergency services, care and other key sectors identified by the Scottish Government.

Operating in 20 primary schools and six early years establishments distributed across South Lanarkshire the hubs are staffed by staff who volunteered to fill this important childcaring support role.

While schools would normally close for the two week Spring Holiday, the hubs will remain open throughout including on the Good Friday and Easter Monday public holidays.

Council Leader Councillor John Ross Said: “I would like to thank all the staff who have volunteered to work in our hubs and congratulate them on the wonderful job they are doing.

“They are providing childcare and support to the children whose parents and carers are in the frontline delivering care and vital services to those most in need in our communities.”

The primary school hubs are now operating extended hours and are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with early years establishments operating from 8am to 6pm.

Meanwhile children attending one hub school in Larkhall started their Spring Break by offering a message of support for NHS staff.

The young people at Machanhill Primary School put their artistic skills to good use to prepare their own colourful thank you posters, examples of some of the posters are pictured at the top of this article. Many more are on display in schools, nurseries, homes and throughout our local communities as a way of showing how we can support each other and in particular those working in the frontline to tackle this pandemic.