Wraparound childcare

The government has recognised the importance for all parents of primary school aged children aged 4 to 11 to have access to ‘wraparound’ childcare in their local area between 8am and 6pm.

Wraparound childcare as the name suggests, refers to childcare that ‘wraps’ around the conventional school day and is often referred to as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs. Wraparound care takes place on-site at the school, or in linked provision close by. It can be run by the school, or through a partner in the private or voluntary sector. This does not include school run activities or clubs that do not meet the childcare needs of working families e.g. weekly football club.

Childcare must be reliable, dependable, and able to continue every day in spite of potential issues such as staffing. Wraparound childcare is designed for parents to access employment or training and improve labour market participation.

The national wraparound childcare programme is part of the childcare reforms announced at the Spring 2023 budget. The government’s ambition is that by 2026 all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it will be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8am-6pm (or equivalent hours 8am – 5.30pm if local demand does not prove a need beyond 5.30pm).

To support this ambition, the government announced it will provide start-up funding over two academic years to support the local authority and providers in England to introduce or expand the childcare provision on either side of the school day, which parents of primary school-aged children will be able to pay to access.

The local authority is responsible for ensuring there are sufficient wraparound places in their area. Our role is to work with schools, trusts, and PVI providers (including childminders and early years providers) to set up new provision and expand existing provision (where a need has been identified) using funding allocated to the local authority.