Extended Schools Services

What are After School Clubs?

Wraparound Childcare

By 2010 all parents of primary age children will be able to access affordable childcare at or through their school from 8am to 6pm, all year round. This will be available in half of all primary schools by 2008.

By 2010 all secondary schools will be open from 8am to 6pm all year round, providing access to a range of activities for young people such as music, sport and holiday activities. At least one third of secondary schools should be making this offer available by 2008.

There are several models for the delivery of childcare:

• Direct delivery, run by the school which employs the staff, administers the provision and charges for the provision

• Third parties, a provider from the private or voluntary sector, including networks of childminders. The provision may be on or off the school site.

• Working with other local schools to share resources, develop the service and/or rotate responsibility to provide childcare

• Providing high quality provision for early years.

• Childcare: which is available from at least 8am – 6pm all year round. This may be on the school site or may be provided at a nearby school, local provider or childminder. Included are breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes and after school clubs as delivered by PLANET SPORT.

A variety of study support activities which allow children and young people learn and develop outside normal school hours by pursuing special interests or trying out new things in a fun, stimulating and safe environment. E.g. sports and activity clubs,

Extended Schools work closely with their local Children’s Centres and Healthy Schools Teams as they are all working towards the same goals. Healthy Schools help children and young people to reach their potential by building on a solid foundation of health to do better in learning and in life.

What’s the point of extended services?

Extended services help raise the achievement of children by improving their social well being and general welfare.
Communities can become more involved in the life of their local school and parents are supported to help in their children’s education and development.
“By 2010, through extended services, we aim for all schools to work in partnership with other schools and local providers to offer access to year-round opportunities for additional learning, and enriching activities, such as study support and homework clubs, creative and sport activities and play, combined with childcare in primary schools and community use of school facilities, for example, to host adult and family learning provision. The best schools have long recognised that offering a wide menu of positive activities, both in and out-of school hours, can be integral to improving attainment, narrowing gaps between different groups and engaging with parents. We are investing in schools and local authorities to encourage greater participation in positive activities, including through extended services in schools.” DCSF Your child, your schools, our future: building a 21st century schools system (2009)

22nd March 2010