Parent and childcare provider ‘rights to request’
Want to grow your business?
Did you know that since May 2016 childcare providers have had the Right to Request the use of school premises when they are not being used by the school?
You could set up new wraparound, holiday childcare or early years provision in buildings that are made to accommodate children.
We know that finding suitable premises is one of the greatest barriers to the expansion of childcare in Devon.
More early years places are needed from next April onwards and from September 2026 there is an expectation that wraparound childcare is available for primary aged children between 8.00 and 6.00.
If you want further information about where more childcare is needed in Devon, please contact us through this mailbox childcareinformation-mailbox@devon.gov.uk putting ‘Hotspots’ in the subject line.
Do you need childcare?
Parents also have a Right to Request that schools provide childcare.
‘These ‘rights to request’ refer to children from Reception up to the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9). Where there is demand, schools and providers may also want to consider wraparound / holiday childcare for the under 5s or for Year 10 and above – but this provision is not included in the scope of the ‘rights to request’ described in this guidance. A parent’s ‘right to request’ refers only to the school that their child attends.’ Page 4 bullet 6
If you are a parent who cannot find the childcare you need or if you can’t accommodate the demand from local families within your setting please use and share this unable to find suitable childcare form. Someone from our team will get in touch and do their best to help.