Your childcare worries may be over once your child starts primary school, but if you still need help before or after school, there are lots of options. Here we look at afterschool clubs, breakfast clubs and holiday playschemes.
Out-of-school childcare services that provide care for the under-eights more than two hours a day must be registered and will be regularly inspected by Government regulatory bodies. They can be run by local authorities or voluntary or private groups and fees are usually involved.
An afterschool club is a place for children to go after the school day has finished but office hours haven't, usually from around 3.30pm to 6pm. The club may be in your child's school, another local school or different premises altogether. Sometimes playworkers will escort children from the school to the club. Fun and relaxing activities, such as games, sports or art and crafts are provided for children under the care of the playworkers.
A breakfast club is a place where children can be dropped off before school and enjoy breakfast together.
A holiday playscheme operates in the school holidays and offers groups of children a range of organised activities, from art and crafts to outings. They are usually open between 8.30am to 6pm.
Mainly children between five and 11 years, although some cater for children between three and 14 years. The minimum child/staff ratio for children aged four to eight is 8:1. The recommended child/staff ratio for older children aged eight to 14 is 10:1.