Choosing an Out of School Club in Wiltshire

What is an out of school club?

An out of school club is any activity that takes place out of school hours or during the holidays.  This includes breakfast and after school clubs; holiday childcare and activity groups; homework and booster clubs, sports, arts and leisure activities.

Some will be registered with Ofsted either on the Early Years, Childcare or Voluntary Childcare Register; some will be registered as part of a school; some will not be registered at all because they are not required to be. 

How do you make a choice?

Questions you might choose to ask include:

• What are the club's opening hours?

• Is the club registered with Ofsted? (ask to see their certificate or letter of confirmation)

• Are you open during school half terms and/or in-service training days? (applies to after school and holiday clubs)

• Have you got a parents' folder which contains your policies including safeguarding children?

• Will there be additional costs, for example, trips, snacks, transport?

• Can I see a prospectus, registration certificate and/or inspection report?

  (inspection reports are also available on www.ofsted.gov.uk)
• Have you received a Quality Assurance Award?
• Do I have to pay if my child does not attend?
• Do you arrange collection from my child's school and by whom? (applies to after school clubs)
• Can children choose their activities, or do they have a structured timetable?
• Is a suitably trained First Aider always present or on site?
• Have all the staff and volunteers got enhanced CRB checks?

Characteristics of Clubs

Breakfast Clubs

• Cater for school aged pupils

• Places need to be booked

• No requirement to be registered if open less than 2 hours and not connected to other care for example an after school club

• Parent sees that the child reaches the club, the club ensures the child reaches school

• Fees include the cost of breakfast

• Most are run on school premises, many as part of school's wrap around care

• 1:8 adult:child ratio

• Staff are encouraged to have a playwork qualification

After School Clubs

• Cater for school aged pupils
• Places need to be booked
• Registered and inspected by Ofsted
• Club generally arranges transport from school, parents arrange collection from club
• Usually open until 6pm
• Charges include the cost of a snack
• 1:8 adult:child ratio
• Majority of staff have a playwork qualification 

Holiday Clubs (childcare option)

• Cater for school aged children and sometimes younger
• Places need to be booked
• Registered and inspected by Ofsted
• Parents ensure the child gets to and from the club
• May be open from 8am to 6pm in school holidays
• 1:8 adult:child ratio
• Majority of staff have playwork and/or childcare qualifications 

Holiday Clubs (activity groups)

• Cater for a range of ages
• Places may not need to be booked
• May be registered and inspected by Ofsted
• Various opening hours; usually sessional
• Levels of staff qualification will vary
• Should be 1:8 adult:child ratio

Out of School Hours Learning Activities

• A club or learning activity outside of normal lesson time which pupils take part in voluntarily
• Places usually need to be booked
• Includes sports, music, arts, hobbies and homework clubs etc.
• May be registered as part of the school or on the Ofsted Voluntary Childcare Register 
• Usually a 1:8 adult to child ratio for under 8s and 1:12 for over 8s

Can I get help with the fees?

All clubs strive to keep their costs flexible and affordable, however each club has its own charging policy.

Many after school clubs charge either by the hour or by the session.

Holiday clubs often offer a full day rate or a sessional rate.

Some holiday activities may be cheaper or even free, however they are not a substitute for comprehensive care.

Support for the cost may be available through:

• The Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit - lone parents and couples who both work 16 hours or more a week may be entitled to The Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit which can pay up to 80% of childcare costs providing you use a registered provider.

• Childcare Vouchers (in exchange for a salary sacrifice) - one or both parents could receive childcare vouchers in lieu of some of their salary. Childcare Vouchers can help pay for the cost of an out of school club as long as it is registered.

• Free Time - school aged pupils whose parents are in receipt of benefits can attend many out of school activities for free.  Contact your child's school for more information.

Staff

Staff are the key resource in any out of school club.  Taking care of children and young people is a huge responsibility and extremely demanding.  It is therefore important that staff are well trained and have the necessary skills and experience to work with school aged children.

All staff should have enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and health checks.

All clubs should have a minimum of 2 members of staff present at all times including a trained first aider.

Catering for Additional Needs

All clubs are encouraged to welcome children and young people with disabilities and those with special educational needs. Registered clubs should have a Special Needs/Inclusion Policy and a member of staff known as a SENCO (Special Needs Co-ordinator) or Inclusion Playworker.

Support with the cost of additional support necessary to enable a young child or young person to attend an out of school setting may be available. Ring the Family Information Service at ask on 08457 585072 (01380 872915) for details.

What happens if your child is ill or has an accident?

Caring for sick children is not part of an out of schools club’s service and you should keep your child at home or collect them if they are unwell.

In the case of an accident the club staff should put the needs of the child first and act accordingly. You should be asked to sign a consent form that allows club staff to seek emergency treatment if necessary. You should also read and sign their accident/incident book confirming you were given full details of any accident and the action taken.

How do I find an Out of School Club?

• Call the Family Information Service at ask on 08457 585072 (01380 872915) between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday for information about all out of school clubs in Wiltshire.  We can do a range of searches for specific requirements, for example, which school/s an after school club collects from, experience and support for additional needs.

• Email info@askwiltshire.org outlining your needs, your child or children's ages and the area in which you need an out of school club or activity.

• Search our comprehensive database of holiday childcare and activity groups

• Friends, neighbours and colleagues may be able to recommend groups they have used.