Education chiefs will meet next week to decide if schoolchildren will go back to their classrooms in the middle of the month.

The Education Emergency Measures Committee has already ruled that remote learning will be used from Tuesday until January 12.

A spokeswoman said: “The Department of Education has received feedback from parents and guardians of young children who may not have adequate childcare arrangements and cannot work from home during remote learning.

“Health Department guidelines and constraints now preclude the Department of Education from offering any programmes for children during this time.”

She added: “As a first resort, affected parents and guardians are urged to reach out to their family support network for assistance.”

The spokeswoman said: “The department is engaged in conversations with employer groups and are pleased that they too empathise with the plight of affected parents and guardians and are willing to be supportive within the confines of existing employment legislation and collective bargaining agreements.

“We urge affected parents to also approach their employers and discuss their specific challenges. Likewise, we would urge all employers to consider all options that would meet the needs of their employees at such a challenging time.”