Afterschool clubs and playschemes 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.

In this article

School's out, but work's not... Ages covered

Pros Cons

Typical costs Where to find out more

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.

• An afterschool club, breakfast club or playscheme which caters for under-eights for more than two hours a day will be registered and regularly inspected
• If it's registered, it will be run by approved playworkers, half of whom will be trained
• It can bridge those awkward gaps between school and work hours
• Your child will be among a group of other children, some younger, some older
• Your child will have access to a variety of play opportunities
• You may be able to opt for a regular part-time place, which will offer her consistency

• Some out-of-school services - for example, those that cater for over-eights only or operate for less than two hours a day - won't be registered, but many of these are 'quality assured', a Government-recognised scheme, so always check whether the scheme you're using is registered or quality assured and, if it isn't, make sure you're satisfied with the care provided
• Afterschool clubs can be very busy and your child may simply prefer to chill out at home
• Out-of-school care may be a bit overwhelming for a younger or shy child
• If your child is attending an afterschool club every day, it can be hard for her to have time on her own, meet her friends or follow her own particular interests
• The staff won't be able to look after your child if she's ill
• There may be fees involved

From around £3-10 a day for an afterschool club place; about £1 a day for a breakfast club; and around £15 a day, or £75 a week, for a playscheme place.

ChildcareLink
A Government service providing information and advice on childcare.
Freephone: 0800 096 0296
Website: www.childcarelink.gov.uk
This doesn't include Northern Ireland - try your local health and social services trusts instead.

4Children
Provides information on afterschool clubs and out-of-school care in England.
Tel: 020 7512 2100
Website: www.4children.org.uk

Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs
Covers out-of-school childcare clubs, including breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs, holiday clubs, weekend clubs and wrap-around childcare across Wales.
Tel: 029 2074 1000
Website: www.clybiauplantcymru.org

SOSCN
Scottish charity supporting school-aged play, care and learning.
Tel: 0141 564 1284
Website: www.soscn.org

Your local education authority - look in your local phone book for details.

Your child's school -ask the school receptionist to tell you about any local services.

Other parents - nothing beats a personal recommendation.

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