Local firm organises childcare for employees during teacher strikes

Friday 10 May 2019

A local trust and company administration firm has organised free childcare and activities for the children of employees struggling to find alternatives during this month's teacher strikes.

The Fairway Group has organised and covered the costs of childcare as well as trips for the children to make life easier for their staff - including those from their sister company Bracken Rothwell - amid industrial action from members of the National Education Union (NEU), who are protesting for wage rises in line with increases in the cost of living locally.

The 'Fairway Fun Club', as the initiative has been named, has so far included reading, playing in the canteen, an outing to Howard Davis Park, ball games, Frisbee and ice-cream, as well as homework.

Matt Ebbrell, Fairway's HR Director, explained that the firm set up the Fun Club as "a day-care facility" to help support colleagues affected by the strikes.

"We understand the pressures that working parents are under including having to source childcare during the current strike action," he added.

"The kids spend some time in our office breakout area with the pool table and ping pong but they also go to the park and to the zoo, all supervised by a responsible adult. Of course there is the chance for them to do homework and educational activities, but there is also a fun element too, with ice cream, frisbee and football."

Pictured: Matt Ebbrell, HR Director at Fairway Group.

He added: "While we of course hope the dispute is settled as soon as possible, it is great having children in the office and seeing them enjoy the Fairway Group Fun Club."

The NEU called out its members in primary and secondary schools to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Further strikes are also planned for next week (Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16), as well as Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May.