Not yet a member? Join now to access more
services and information
Professional Development
In order to run an out of school club you and your staff must have at least the qualifications and training described on the Essential Qualifications page. However there are a wide range of additional courses that may be useful in running your club, in terms of enriching the experience of children at your club, helping your club to run more efficiently, and developing your staff.Most local authorities run a wide range of courses (contact the Early Years service for your local authority for information), as do numerous other training organisations.
Here are some suggestions for the types of additional training that you might want to consider:
Play and activity ideas
- Games inspiration: games for older children, rainy day games, parachute games etc
- Encouraging physical activities, active play leadership
- Ideas for creative play and craft activities
- Water play, den building, playing with fire (in a very controlled setting!)
- Creating exciting play environments
- Making the most of your play space
- Encouraging outdoor play, forest schools, etc
- Involving children in the running of the club (an Ofsted objective)
- Trip training
- Managing challenging behaviour
- Fire officer training
- Safe manual handling
- Playwork and early years management
- Preparing for your Ofsted inspection
Try one of the following:- OFSTED Workplace Standards course from Kids' City
- Preparing for an Ofsted Inspection and Completing the Self-Evaluation Process course from The Day Care Trust
- EYFS Welfare Requirements and Ofsted update from Orchard Training
If you have other suggestions for professional development courses that may be of interest to out of school clubs, please let us know by emailing .