Wraparound childcare – Information for providers

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.

Draft template for schools – wraparound childcare 

  • Wraparound funding

    Wraparound funding

    The Department for Education (DfE) have awarded the extension of the wraparound Childcare funding to March 2026. This means any school or private provider who opens a new childcare provision before March 2026, could receive at least one year’s funding.

    The full core offer is, childcare from 8.00 am – 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, for children from reception to year 6.

    New “equivalent hours” 8am – 5.30pm opening hours, where no demand for a 6pm close has been evidenced. Programme ambition: Open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

    The new ‘equivalent hours’ means childcare must continue to at least 5.30pm. This means you can still apply for the funding even if you don’t have a need to open until 6pm.

    Equivalent hours criteria:

    • Provision must not start later than 8am
    • Therefore, 8.15am to 6.15pm would not be equivalent hours
    • Provision must not finish earlier than 5.30pm
    • Therefore, 7.15am – 5.15pm would not be equivalent hours
    • Provision that fits within the above criteria is considered “equivalent hours”, even if it does not mean childcare/school is available for a total of 10-hours

    Devon was awarded £3,537,826.09 for the 24/25 financial year,  this has been extended to 2025-2026 financial year.

    • Autumn term 2024, we funded 18 schools to start or expand childcare, creating a potential of 444 childcare places
    • Spring term 2025, a further 21 schools have been funded to start or expand childcare, creating a potential 388 spaces
    • 3 schools, awarded some sustainability support funding as they already provide the full core offer hours.

    Devon provides funding per hour of expansion per week. A full core offer would be 17.5 hours (one hour for breakfast club and two and half hours for an after school club). We can fund a two staff or one staff member model, depending on the number of children predicted. Funding for a one hour expansion with a two staff model for a year could be £9480.

    We now have an adaptable model to provide support funding for schools and childcare providers to deliver 8.00am – 6.00pm wraparound childcare during term time.

    The models of childcare we will fund are:

    • One staff model for schools
    • Two staff model for schools
    • Two staff model for Private voluntary and Independent settings
    • A childminder funded models
    • Expansion of places to an existing setting that is already providing wraparound care 8.00am – 6.00pm (please note this funding is limited, if your setting is full you should already be sustainable).

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

  • Apply for wraparound provision

    Apply for wraparound provision

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

  • 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 childcare briefing sessions for providers / training

    Wraparound childcare briefing sessions for providers / training

    The Early Years and Childcare Service will be running a series of briefing sessions this term for all potential providers (schools, private or independent providers and childminders). The sessions will be delivered by Microsoft Teams. There is no need to book just click on the Teams link to join.

    The session will cover the following:

    • What is Wraparound Childcare?
    • Overview and review of our first term of wraparound funding
    • What does a good Childcare Provision look like?
    • What funding is available?
    • How can I apply?
    • Staffing ratios, qualifications, business management
    • Open forum Question and Answer session

    Dates:

    The format is the same for each session – you will only need to attend one.

    There is no need to book just click on the Teams link to join.

    Supporting information and guidance on the wraparound programme is listed below:

    Would you like us to provide further briefing sessions?

    If you have any questions or would like further info please get in touch by email: educate.earlyyearswraparound-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

    Resources from training:

    Wraparound childcare briefing presentation (pdf)

    Related training:

    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: £75 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 3 years.

    Virtual dates:

    • Thursday 13th March 2025 (9.30am – 12.30pm)
    • Thursday 15th May 2025 (9.30am – 12.30pm)
    • Tuesday 17th June 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.

  • Wraparound Toolkit

    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

  • Sustainability funding

    Sustainability 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 sustainability 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.

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

  • Frequently asked questions

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

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