A COUNCIL has set up a new scheme to ensure key workers during the coronavirus crisis can find care for their young children.

Blackburn with Darwen's Early Help and Support team has launched a revised childcare support service to help parents who are key workers to find nursery places for their children during this crisis.

The service is also for parents of vulnerable children to help them find alternative childcare when their current nursery or child-minding service has closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

All settings comply with Early Years Foundation Stage regulations and are Ofsted registered.

Cllr Maureen Bateson, the council’s children’s boss, said: “Our early years teams are doing what they can to ensure we continue to support parents who need to be able to go to work during this crisis, many of them serving at the front line to help save lives.

Parents needing help to find care should email eydc.team@blackburn.gov.uk with their name, contact details, work role, age of child and days and times when care needed, or ring 01254 667877.