I regularly witness people close to me struggling when schools close unexpectedly or outside normal holidays. The stress it causes is overwhelming, especially for single parents who have no choice but to work and no easy access to childcare or family support.

In the UK, schools occasionally close for teacher training days or other administrative purposes, leaving working parents scrambling for childcare solutions. During these unscheduled closures, which are outside of the main scheduled holidays, it becomes incredibly challenging for parents to maintain their work commitments while ensuring their children are safely cared for.

Without access to affordable and reliable childcare during these times, parents face difficult choices between their jobs and their families' well-being. Many single parents, already stretched thin, are disproportionately affected by these closures, exacerbating the stress and financial strain they already experience.

The government needs to step in to support working parents by providing funded, supervised childcare in schools during these unscheduled closures. This would not only alleviate the stress on parents but also ensure children's welfare and educational continuity. Schools are already equipped to provide a safe environment, and leveraging this existing infrastructure for childcare is a practical and efficient solution.

Studies have shown that parents facing childcare challenges are more likely to suffer from decreased productivity and increased absenteeism at work. According to a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research, over 1.4 million parents were forced to make job changes due to a lack of childcare during school closures. The need for government intervention is clear and urgent.

We call on the UK government to implement policies that fund and facilitate childcare provision in schools during unscheduled closures. By doing so, they can support working families, promote economic productivity, and ensure that children's developmental needs are consistently met.

Please sign this petition to urge the government to take action and support parents and children during school closures.