Article: Out of school childcare clubs
Article Body
Out of school clubs are open to all school-aged children to play, learn, have fun and relax outside school hours.
Before and after school childcare is usually based in or near schools and more facilities are being set up to help families where parents work. Out of school childcare provides care for children aged 3-14 years (17 with a disability). However each club has its own age range, so parents/carers are advised to visit a range of different settings before deciding where to send your child to see what would suit your child best. Once you have chosen a setting, you should work with the out of school club/childminder to draw up a contract and to discuss your child's requirements, for example, clothes and dietary requirements.
Activities should be planned to help children learn, play and relax with their friends. Play-workers will often pick children up from local schools. There are different types of out of school services so look around to find one that suits you and your child. Childminders and some day nurseries also offer out of school childcare and pick up from local schools.
Out of school services can open before school, from between 7.30am and 8am, and care for children after school usually until about 6pm. During the school holidays they are likely to be open between 8am and 6pm. Longer hours may be available by negotiation with the childcare provider.
Charges/fees
Prices can vary and some schemes will give a discount for brothers or sisters attending. Parents currently claiming working tax credit may be able to get up to 80% of their childcare costs back as tax credit in their wage packet. For further information on tax credit call 0845 300 3900 or you can visit the HM Revenue and Customs website or contact the Families Information Service who can give you an estimate and take you through the process.
Payments are made direct to the out of school club, childminder or nursery who will have a contract with the parent/carer.
Children with disabilities
Children with disabilities may be able to receive additional financial support. Parents may also use childcare for short break care. For parents returning to work a pilot scheme for childcare tasters is available. Contact the Families Information Service for more details.
Legislation
- Registered childcarers must adhere to the relevant Ofsted registration requirements.
- Childcare Act 2006
Useful documents
Related links
How to contact us
The Families Information Service can provide you with details of out of school clubs and a list of recommended questions to ask potential carers. They also provide a booklet containing further information. You can contact them on 0800 0345 340. They will deal with any enquiry within three working days.
If you are interested in setting up an out of school club you can also call the Families Information Service for an information pack.
Information Officer
Postal address: PO Box 679, Barnsley, S70 9JE
Telephone: 0800 0345 340 between the following hours:
8.30am to 5.00pm Mondays and Wednesdays
8.30am to 6.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
8.30am to 4.30pm Fridays
There is an answer phone service in operation outside of the above hours.
Email: infoFIS@barnsley.gov.uk
Frequently asked questions
What do children/young people do at an out of school
childcare scheme?
A before school club would usually provide breakfast for
the children as well as opportunities for the children to play and
socialise.
An after school club would usually provide a light snack, space to
play or relax, activities suited to the children's age and
interests and a quiet area to do homework or read.
How do I know my child will be safe and
secure?
First of all you know your child best - look for an out of school
service you feel will be suitable for your child. Out of school
services registered with Ofsted are checked to make sure the staff
are suitable to look after children. At least half of them must be
trained to a relevant level 2. There should be two members of staff
at any one time and one member of staff to every eight
children aged 3-7 years. There are rules on the ratio of staff to
children depending on the ages of the children catered for. A check
is also done on the premises of the out of school service to ensure
it is safe and suitable for children. After the out of school
service is registered regular inspections are carried out to ensure
a safe and suitable service is being provided. Some out of school
services do not currently need to be registered, for example, those
which only cater for children aged over eight and some sports
facilities.
How many children will there be?
Most out of school services provide places for between 10 and 40
children although some are smaller and others are larger.
Childminders usually care for up to six children.
What age range of children will be there?
Most children attending out of school services are aged
between five and 11 years. Some services provide places
for three and four year olds to fit around nursery or
pre-school education. Some services provide places geared for older
children aged 11 to 14 years.
What about part-time childcare?
Many out of school services will be happy to offer you part-time
childcare. You may need to book regular sessions to make sure a
place is available when you need it. Many childminders offer out of
school places and pick up from schools. Some childminders also work
evenings and weekends as and when required.
Are out of school childcare schemes registered and
inspected?
All facilities that provide care for children aged
under eight years, for more than two hours in any day and for
more than five days a year, must be registered with Ofsted.
Childcare that caters for children over eight only may join
the Ofsted voluntary register. Ofsted undertakes random inspections
on 10% of settings per annum. You can ask to see a copy of the last
inspection report.
Minimum requirements:
- one staff member for every eight children aged 3-7 years
- a minimum of two adults on duty
- half of all staff should have an appropriate play work qualification and the manager should hold a relevant level 3
- a minimum of 2.3 square metres of space per child
- one toilet and wash basin for every ten children attending.