If you're a working parent, you'll know the feeling. The school day ends at 3 pm; your working day definitely doesn't, and somehow you're meant to be in two places at once.
That's where school childcare comes in. It covers the early mornings and the late afternoons, so you can get to work without the mad dash, and your child gets somewhere safe and fun to spend that time. Below, we've pulled together everything parents usually ask us about: how it works, what it costs, how to pay for it, and what to look out for when you're choosing a provider.
Wraparound care is really just another name for school childcare. It's called that because it "wraps around" the school day, filling the time before lessons start and after they finish.
Most schools offer it in two parts. There's a breakfast club in the morning, and an after-school club that runs until early evening. Some families use both every day; others just book the odd session when work gets busy.
The real win for parents is that it all happens on the school site. There's no second drop-off to squeeze in and no worrying about your child getting from one place to another. When the bell goes, they head straight into the club, and you pick them up when you're ready.
We run wraparound childcare inside primary schools across the West Midlands, every day of term.
Mornings in most houses are chaotic. Breakfast club takes some of that pressure off.
Instead of a rushed goodbye at the gate, your child comes in early, has something to eat and spends a bit of time with their friends before the school day begins. Some children like to chat, some want a quiet book or a colouring sheet, and some are already itching for a game. We let them ease into the day in their own way, then hand them over to their class calm and ready to learn.
Worth knowing: some primary schools now offer free breakfast clubs through the government's funded scheme. These usually only run for a short slot before school, so if you need to drop off earlier than that, paid before school childcare can give you the extra breathing room. Your school office will be able to tell you what's on offer.
Think about how you feel after a full day at a desk. Children are no different. After hours in a classroom, the last thing they need is to sit and wait to be collected.
That's why our after-school clubs are built around getting children moving. Depending on the day, that might mean sport, team games, arts and crafts, or just running around with their mates. There's a snack too, and plenty of time to unwind.
We want after-school childcare to be the part of the day your child actually looks forward to, not something they put up with. If you're weighing up different types of care, our guide to choosing the best afterschool childcare goes into more detail.
Then there are the holidays. Add them all up, and you're looking at around 13 weeks a year to cover, which is far more annual leave than most of us have.
Our holiday camps help bridge that gap. Children get a full programme of sport, games and activities, and they're looked after by the same friendly team they already know from term time. For a lot of families, that familiarity makes all the difference, especially for younger or more nervous children.
Honestly, it depends. Prices vary between providers, areas and session lengths. As a rule, breakfast clubs cost less than after-school clubs simply because the sessions are shorter.
When you're comparing options, it's worth looking a little deeper than the price per session. Is food included? Can you book the odd session when you need it, or are you tied into a set pattern? Are there discounts for siblings? And which payment schemes can you use?
We keep our prices affordable because we think good childcare shouldn't be out of reach. If you'd like to know the current prices at your child's school, just drop us a message.
Yes, you can, as long as the provider is Ofsted registered.
It's a scheme a lot of parents either haven't heard of or haven't got round to setting up, and it's genuinely worth it. For every £8 you pay into your Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it up by £2. That can add up to £2,000 per child each year, or £4,000 if your child is disabled. You then pay your childcare provider straight from the account. There are a few eligibility rules around working hours and income, and the GOV.UK website has a quick checker.
If you signed up to a childcare voucher scheme through work before it closed to new applicants in 2018, you might still be able to use those as well. Give us a call, and we'll help you work out what applies to you.
Handing your child over to someone else takes trust. Ofsted registration is one of the simplest ways to know that trust is well placed.
A registered provider has been checked against strict standards for safety, welfare and the suitability of its staff, and it's inspected regularly to make sure those standards don't slip. On a practical level, it's also the only way you'll be able to pay using Tax-Free Childcare.
We're proud to be a leading provider of Ofsted-registered before and after school childcare. Safeguarding comes first in everything we do, and our team is trained in safeguarding, first aid and child development. You can read more in our piece on why Ofsted-registered wraparound care matters.
If you're searching for after school care near you, it helps to have a few questions ready.
Start with the basics. Is the provider Ofsted registered, and are the staff DBS checked and properly trained? Then think about your child. What will they actually be doing each session, and does it sound like something they'd enjoy? Check the opening times against your working hours, because even ten minutes can make or break a routine. Finally, ask how they keep in touch with parents. The best providers are happy to chat at pick-up and easy to get hold of when you need them.
And trust your gut. If you visit and the children look happy and busy, that tells you a lot.
Ours is for primary school children. We plan activities so there's something that suits every age and ability, so the youngest and oldest children all get something out of it.
We'd always recommend it. Places can go quickly, particularly at the start of a new term or school year.
Breakfast clubs usually include breakfast, and after school clubs normally provide a snack. It's always worth double-checking with your provider.
Not at all. Plenty of families use it for a bit of flexibility, and lots of children come simply because they love the activities and seeing their friends.
Let us know. We work closely with schools to set up wraparound provision, and we're always happy to start that conversation with your child's school.
The right school childcare takes a lot of stress out of the week. Your child gets active, fun sessions somewhere they already feel at home, and you get affordable, Ofsted-registered care that works around your job rather than against it.
Places at each of our venues are limited, so it's best not to leave it too late. Get in touch with us today to enquire about school childcare at your child's school. Our team will happily answer any questions, run through prices and payment options, and help you get a place booked.
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