Wraparound childcare is sometimes known as ‘Out of School’ childcare, typically referring to before and after school childcare supporting working or studying/training parents and carers. This means that there is provision Monday - Friday during term time from 8am to the start of the school day and from the end of the school day to 6pm. It’s reliable and consistent providing parents/carers with their childcare needs. It is not extracurricular activities, available for fewer than five days a week, for shorter sessions. The wraparound sector works with and supports children between the ages four to eleven.
If you are a parent looking for wraparound care for your child, please visit the Family Services Directory
Workforce support and information
Ofsted
Childcare provision is regulated and inspected according to the Childcare Act 2006.
With a few exceptions, most wraparound childcare provision must register with Ofsted. However, if the provision is directly run by a school it will come under the school’s own Ofsted registration and does not need to register separately.
- Registering school-based provision with Ofsted
- Responding to requests for wraparound childcare - GOV.UK
- The Ofsted registers - Guidance - GOV.UK
Early Years Register
If you welcome children who are in reception year at primary school, you will need to register on the Early Years Register.
Compulsory Childcare Register
If you welcome children from 1 September following their fifth birthday (from year 1) up to the age of eight for more than two hours a day, you must register on the Compulsory part of the Childcare Register.
Voluntary Childcare Register
If you welcome children from eight to eighteen years old you may also register on the Voluntary part of the Childcare Register.
Safeguarding
It is everybody’s responsibility to keep children and young people safe. If you are not sure if a child is at risk, seek advice from a ‘designated person’ in your setting or speak to a Children and Families Hub worker (020 8545 4226). The Children and Families Hub provide advice online about what do if you are worried about a child
The Children and Families Hub is the single point of contact for all safeguarding concerns regarding children and young people in Merton - The Children and Families Hub
- MSCP - Working with children - Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership
- After-school clubs, community activities and tuition: safeguarding guidance for providers - GOV.UK
Resources and information to support your wraparound childcare provision
- The Childcare Works HUB for providers hosts good practice guidance, case studies, bite size videos and information to support your wraparound provision.
- The Out of School Alliance has been supporting the wrapround/out of school sector since 2009. It provides a range of information needed by both experienced wraparound providers and those new to the sector too. It provides template policies & procedures, helpful step-by-step guides, advice and guidance, activity ideas, recommended suppliers and tips for coping with Ofsted inspections and much more.
- Local Directories | Family Services Directory
- Wraparound childcare | Childcare Choices
- Tax-Free Childcare could help eligible parents/carers to save up to £2000.00 per year for children up to eleven years. Or up to £4000.00 per year for children up to seventeen years with SEND.
- Universal Credit childcare costs could save eligible parents/carers up to 85% of childcare costs for children up to the age of sixteen.
- School food standards: resources for schools - GOV.UK