Wraparound childcare – Information for providers

Out of school play and childcare conference – 26 September 2025 – find out more and book your place!

  • About wraparound funding

    Wraparound funding

    The government’s ambition is for all families with primary-aged children (Reception to Year 6) to be able to access wraparound childcare. Devon has been awarded over £3.5 million to support schools, childminders, and providers in creating or expanding wraparound childcare.

    Why is it important?

    The Government’s aim is to make wraparound childcare available in every primary school across England. This helps:

    • Working parents manage their schedules more easily
    • Children benefit from a safe, consistent environment before and after lessons

    What is wraparound childcare?

    Wraparound childcare is the term used to describe childcare that takes place outside of normal school hours — typically before and after the school day. Around 60% of primary schools in England already offer wraparound childcare before and after school.

    What does it include?

    Wraparound childcare extends the school day to cover the hours from 8:00am to 6:00pm during term time. (see notes below re partial hours offer).

    It includes:

    • Before-school care (e.g. breakfast clubs)
    • After-school care (e.g. extended day provision)
      Please note – while wraparound can also refer to care during school holidays, the current national wraparound childcare programme does not include holiday provision.

    How is it different from school activity clubs?

    Wraparound childcare is not the same as after-school clubs or enrichment activities. Here’s how it differs:

    • It is a regular childcare service, not a one-off or weekly club
    • It must run every school day, regardless of staff illness or bad weather
    • If the school is open, the wraparound childcare must also be open

    NEW partial hours criteria (introduced July 2025)

    The full core offer is, childcare from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, for children from reception to year 6. In July 2025 DfE announced introduction of funded Partial hours, aimed at the small rural schools or schools in deprived areas who have less of a need for full wraparound provision. Funding is paid per hour of operation so you can claim for the number of hours per week you are offering childcare.

    To qualify:

    • Breakfast clubs must run at least 30 minutes before the school day starts
    • After-school clubs must run at least 90 minutes after the school day ends
    • Provision must run at least 3 days a week, both before and after school
    • Minimum requirement is 6  hours per week (30 mins Breakfast club and 1.5 hours for after school = 2 hours a day X  3 days a week)
    • Maximum requirement is 17.5 hours per week ( 1 hour for breakfast and 2.5 hours  for after school 3.5 hours per day x 5 days)
    • Note – we can also fund you to increase hours e.g extend from 5pm close to 6 pm close

    For more information contact: educate.earlyyearswraparound-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

  • How much funding could I receive?

    Funding

    Funding is paid on a reducing scale for up to five terms:

    • Term one is 100% funded
    • Term two 80%
    • Term three 60%
    • Term four 40%
    • Term five at 20%

    There are three models of funding

    Funding examples shown below as a guide only, funding will vary according to your start dates.
    The examples below assume an expansion of five hours per week (one hour per day). If you extend by ten hours per week multiply the amounts below by two:
    These calculations are for FIVE terms of funding in total.

    • Small schools = less than 60 Pupils = £7,200 annual funding
    • Medium to large schools with over 60 pupils = £11,780 annual funding
    • Private Voluntary or Independent settings =£10,600 annual funding

    Start-up grants

    These cover your set up costs and can be used for resources for the club the maximum start-up grant is £1,350 for a brand new setting.

    Expansion of places

    For settings who already provide full wraparound care 8am until 6pm, to extend the number of spaces  e.g. from 20 to 40 spaces. Funding is £200 per new space created (Breakfast and after school). Plus you can also apply for the start up grant of £1,000.

    Childminder funding (separate application form required)

    • Start up grants = £600
    • Place funding =  £200 per full place created
    • Childminders with assistance can have revenue funding up to £1,200 for one year only

    For more information contact: educate.earlyyearswraparound-mailbox@devon.gov.uk 

  • Apply for wraparound childcare funding

    Apply for wraparound

    Key deadline: all new or expanded childcare must be running before 31 March 2026 to receive full five terms of funding.

    One of the first stages of setting up a wraparound provision is to gauge the “need” for the childcare in your local area.
    For information on the Devon Childcare Sufficiency report please read: Childcare sufficiency – Information for childcare providers (devon.gov.uk). We have produced a draft template for schools to send to parents to gauge the need. This is just a template that can be adapted to your schools need. We advise that you put it onto a forms or smart survey format.

    Find the resources you need to help your business expand by visiting the Childcare Works website.

    Before you complete an application please contact your Early Years and Childcare Advisor EYCA) to discuss the needs in your area.

    As a condition of receiving this funding you are now required to make sure that your details are complete and up to date on the Provider Self Update. This is done through the Provider Portal. Some of this information is displayed on Find Childcare in Devon for parents to search and view.

  • Apply for wraparound support funding

    Wraparound support funding

    Some existing childcare settings are offering the full wraparound provision but struggling to be viable. We have made an allowance for small one-off grants of £2,000 to support the promotion and development of the childcare. There is an application form online to apply for wraparound support funding. Before applications can be accepted a quality and financial health check will need to be completed by your local Early Years and Childcare Adviser.

    As a condition of receiving this funding you are now required to make sure that your details are complete and up to date on the Provider Self Update. This is done through the Provider Portal. Some of this information is displayed on Find Childcare in Devon for parents to search and view.

    For more information contact: educate.earlyyearswraparound-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

  • Parents' right to request childcare

    Parents’ right to request childcare

    All schools need to support parents right to request childcare. For more information please read: Responding to requests for wraparound childcare – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    When handling right to request arrangements, you should be transparent about the process you choose to follow.

    You should:

    • be clear about timescales for dealing with requests
    • speak to your local authority (and any relevant landowner where appropriate)
    • keep parents and providers informed at each stage
    • give reasons for approving or rejecting requests
  • Wraparound training / conference

    Out of school play and childcare conference – 26 Sept 2025

    This conference is to celebrate school aged children’s play in Devon.

    Promoting all aspects of out of school childcare provision, including Wraparound Childcare, Holiday and Food Programme (HAF) and the Breakfast Club programme, the conference is a must for all staff and managers working within the sector.

    Key note speakers and supporting workshops will cover the importance of play and the positive impact it can have on children’s development, the economic importance of having reliable and dependable childcare to enable parents to work or train and much more.

    Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop: Out of school play and childcare conference 2025 | DES

    Wraparound briefing session resources:

    Wraparound childcare briefing presentation (pdf)

    Fully funded online training ‘The Essential 3 series – marketing, team and finance’

    Running and growing a successful childcare organisation requires more than just dedication and hard work it requires a solid foundation in three areas to drive sustainable growth: Marketing, Team and Finance.

    Join us for fully funded training in partnership with Devon County Council, Plymouth and Torbay. The sessions will be interactive and informative enabling you to implement changes to support your growth and development.

    The Essential Three series poster.

    The big picture – marketing wraparound care

    Session aims and objectives: To give you the tools you need to confidently promote your wraparound care provision. Throughout the session, you will be completing a Marketing Canvas that you can continue to complete and use to support your new marketing plans.

    • Tues 16 September 2025 (7pm – 8.30pm)
    • Mon 29 September 2025 (10am – 11.30am)

    To book please follow this link to Eventbrite: The Essential 3 Series: Marketing, Team & Finance | Eventbrite

    Recruitment and retention – attracting and keeping the right people

    Session aims and objectives: To give you the tools and confidence you need to recruit and retain the right people for your organisation by aligning recruitment strategies with your company’s vision, values and culture; whilst also keeping the team engaged and committed when salary increases aren’t an option.

    • Tues 23 September 2025 (7pm – 8.30pm)
    • Tues 14 October 2025 (10am – 11.30am)

    To book please follow this link to Eventbrite: The Essential 3 Series: Marketing, Team & Finance | Eventbrite

    Financial sustainability for people who would rather be playing

    Session aims and objectives: The purpose of this session is to help providers feel more confident in understanding their numbers. It is aimed at those who would rather be doing anything else than thinking about finances but will contain hints and tips for anyone working in a childcare setting. By attending this session, providers will understand what is important when running their setting and how they can support parents with making fees more affordable. And, it will be delivered in a fun, informative way.

    • Thurs 11 September 2025 (10am – 11.30am)
    • Mon 6 October 2025 (7pm – 8.30pm)

    To book please follow this link to Eventbrite: The Essential 3 Series: Marketing, Team & Finance | Eventbrite

    The Essential Three series poster.

    Fun with food workshop – for all early years and childcare and out of school wraparound providers

    All out of school wraparound childcare settings must provide food, especially in the breakfast clubs. This workshop, which ran on 20th May covered healthy and fun food activities for children. The session provided ideas for fun hands-on food sessions which can be done on a low budget, with limited kitchen facilities and safely adapted to suit individuals with dietary requirements and intolerances.

    If you would like to attend a future session please email: educate.earlyyearswraparound-mailbox@devon.gov.uk and state if you would like a daytime or twilight session and outline the main areas of concern you would like to be covered regarding food in childcare settings.

    Resources from the workshop:

    Recap – Fun with Food virtual session (20 May 2025)

    Fun with Food presentation (pdf)

    Paediatric first aid training

    This 12 hour course is consistent with the criteria set out in Annex A of the EYFS statutory framework.

    This course comprises of:

    • 6 hours independent study (eLearning)
    • 6 hours skills assessment (in person; small groups of 12 maximum)

    Dates of skills session:

    Cost: £80 per person

    Bookings for this course are now being taken from the Shop: EYCS Paediatric first aid training | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)

    (you will need to add both products (eLearning and skills session) to your basket in order to pay and book).

    (If you are paying on behalf of a staff member/s you will need to visit your ‘Admin area’ within your shop account and assign the eLearning to the member of staff).

    Safeguarding and Child Protection Core (all early years and childcare practitioners) (previously safeguarding awareness group 2 core)

    The safeguarding awareness training is suitable for childminders and all those working in early years and childcare group-based settings (i.e.; assistants / apprentices/ volunteers).

    To recognise your role and responsibilities in safeguarding and protecting children, know what concerns to be alert to and how to raise them in line with local processes. The training can be undertaken either as eLearning or a virtual session.

    Needs to be refreshed every 2 years.

    Virtual dates:

    • Monday 15th September 2025 (10am – 1pm)
    • Thursday 6th November 2025 (6pm – 9pm)

    Fully funded.

    Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services website: Early Years and Childcare: Safeguarding and Child Protection Core (all early years and childcare practitioners) | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)

    eLearning course:

    Fully funded.

    Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) training:

    After watching a 25-minute video there is a short quiz that is designed to test your knowledge.

    The course will provide you with an understanding of the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO); it explains what should be referred to the LADO and, importantly, what should not be referred.

    This course is for anyone who works with or cares for children and young people within Devon. It is fully funded.

    The LADO video learning is accessed from the DEL training website.

    Fully funded.

    Playwork training:

    We are planning Introduction to Playwork training. Virtual and face to face sessions will be available. If you are interested in booking a place please contact educate.earlyyearswraparound-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.

  • Wraparound Toolkit - resources from Childcare Works

    Childcare Works have recently launched a new ‘Wraparound Toolkit’.

    It has been curated by experts to bring together everything you need to grow, sustain or start, your childcare provision. It is designed for all types of providers at any stage of their journey. Whether you are just starting out, are sustaining your provision, or growing, you will find informative, relevant content.

    The volume of information available to support providers can be overwhelming. The purpose of this toolkit is to bring this wealth of knowledge together in one place. It contains information specific to operating childcare provision, plus more general information for businesses, childminders and charities, including expert marketing, HR and leadership and management, partnership working and much, much more.

    Content is organised into six ‘topics’:

    • Business Planning
    • Business Growth
    • Running of Your Childcare Provision
    • Leadership and Management
    • Partnership Working
    • SEND and Inclusive Practice

    Each topic contains sub-topics to make finding relevant content easy. To support the different needs of providers Childcare Works Childcare Works – childcareworks.org.uk have included information in a range of formats such as guides, learning, toolkits, templates, articles, case studies and much more. Each resource included in the toolkit is available without cost.

    Access the Wraparound Toolkit here: Wraparound Childcare Toolkit | from Childcare Works

  • Support with recruitment

    Recruiting the right people with the right skills and experience, at the right time, is essential for your business. We can support you by promoting your early years and childcare job vacancies, including out of school and wraparound posts.

    Read more about the job vacancy service and find out how to submit a job advert here: Submit a vacancy – Information for childcare providers

     

  • Frequently asked questions

    Wraparound childcare funding- frequently asked questions – Information for childcare providers (devon.gov.uk)

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