At least five childminders are out of work in Dumfries and Galloway, the worst-hit area in Scotland, because of the disease outbreak. Two childminders based on farms are unable to care for children because they live in foot and mouth exclusion zones. Parents have also removed children because they have lost their farming jobs or farm income and are not able to afford childcare costs for the foreseeable future.
Angela McNae, Scottish Childminding Association development officer for Dumfries and Galloway, is looking into ways to support childminders through the crisis. She said, 'We are looking into how to support the childminders financially and have approached Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway for help.They are currently looking into the situation.
'Childminders are being affected in rural communities because children cannot come, either because their parents cannot afford it or they cannot leave their farms at the current time. We will be writing to all childminders in the area soon and will ask them to fill in a questionnaire on how they need to be supported.
'It is very sad for the children who are used to going to their childcare settings and now have to stop. In one case a mother is on maternity leave and has to cope with no income on the farm and they do not know when that income will be generated again. It is having a devastating effect everywhere in the communities. I've heard about some awful cases of young children demonstrating their feelings by burying toy animals in the sand because they have seen it on television or have directly observed it.'
* The Arberlour Child Care Trust has had to postpone its fundraising walks because of the foot and mouth epidemic. The charity is asking potential supporters to contact the fundraising department for contingency plans on 01786 895021.
