Search

Out of School Clubs

Out of school clubs form part of the Government's extended schools agenda, and include after-school clubs, breakfast clubs and holiday clubs or playschemes. Extended schools are designed to help balance work and family commitments, whilst providing children with study support, and offering them a broader range of experiences and interests.

Under the Government's extended services initiative, all schools were supposed to provide access to childcare by 2010, either on their own premises or nearby, from 8.00am to 6.00pm to give state school pupils the same opportunities as those in the private sector.
More about choosing an out of school club >

That is not to say that all schools are expected provide out of school care themselves, some do, but others out-source the provision. If schools can demonstrate that there is little or no demand for extended services, they can satisfy the Government requirements merely by signposting to other local provision, such as childminders or nearby out of school clubs.

However, if there is a definite need, schools are required to implement out of school care, but again this does not have to be provided by the school itself. Some schools opt to fulfil the requirements themselves, others invite individuals, playgroups, or other private childcare providers to fulfil the requirements on their behalf.

Support for setting up out of school clubs is usually provided by the childcare and early years team of your local authority. Additional support and advice is offered by the Out of School Alliance, the national organisation for providers of out of school care.
More about setting up an out of school club >
More about services from the Out of School Alliance >

Out of school clubs can offer a range of activities for children, including:

• Study support
• Play and recreation
• Fitness classes
• Drama
• Sport
• Music
• Arts and crafts

Out of school clubs are registered with and inspected by Ofsted, and have to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) if caring for children of five years or younger (ie children in the reception year). Under EYFS regulations out-of-school settings are required to have an adult-to-child ratio of one to eight for children in the three to seven age group.
More about registering with Ofsted >
More about staffing ratios >