Out of School Information

Welcome to the Out of School pages

Out of School Hours Childcare

Introduction
The development of Out of School Childcare is part of the Government’s National Childcare Strategy launched in May 1998. This strategy now focuses on Local Authorities developing integrated social care health and education with Childcare as a bridge or gateway to these services. Out of School Childcare plays a vital role in this overall strategy.

There are a number of types of Out of School Childcare provisions that offer care to school age children based around a programme of well-planned activities.

Types of provision include:-

Before / After School Club - term time care around the school day for e.g. breakfast clubs and / or after school clubs;

Holiday play schemes – full day care during some or all on the school holidays;

Wraparound care – childcare which matches the working day, for example by wrapping childcare around a two and a half hour early education session at a pre-school or a nursery provision. Operational hours may vary depend on the needs of the families;

All year round service – childcare combining before / after clubs and / or wraparound care with holiday care.

While the umberella of Out of School Hours Childcare spans a wide variety of provision, all provision clearly has to reflect the differences of lengths of stay as well as varying age groups and those with special needs.

Who works in an Out of School Club?

Playwork Leaders - work in 'Out of School Clubs' which could be breakfast clubs, after school club, holiday play scheme, community based play centres or adventure play gounds. Playworkers work with children from 5-15 years. The playwork leader is responsible for managing the play provision and to organise a programme of activities for children in their care.

If you could like more information about the qualifications you need to work as a playwork leader click here.

Playwork Assistants - Work in the same type of setting as the playwork leader however, playworkers work under the direct supervision of the playwork leader.

If you would like more information about the qualifications you need to work as a playwork assistant click here.