Wraparound childcare – an opportunity for schools, conference and fully funded training!

Posted on 4 September 2025 in News and updates

An opportunity for Schools

We’re thrilled to share an exciting opportunity for your school to access wraparound childcare funding — and it’s one you won’t want to miss!

The government’s ambition is for all families with primary-aged children (Reception to Year 6) to be able to access childcare from 8am to 6pm, five days a week.
Devon has been awarded over £3.5 million to support schools, childminders, and providers in creating or expanding wraparound childcare.

Why this matters

This funding helps reduce financial risk for providers, giving parents confidence in reliable childcare and enabling them to work full-time, increase hours, or return to training.

What’s new? Partial hours funding

Recognising the challenges of offering full 10-hour wraparound care, especially for smaller or rural schools, the DfE now allows funding for partial hours.

To qualify:

  • Breakfast clubs must run at least 30 minutes before the school day
  • After-school clubs must run at least 90 minutes after the school day
  • Provision must run at least 3 days a week, both before and after school

How much funding could you get?

Examples of funding available:

  • Approx .£16,500 for creating 7.5 hours of new childcare per week (e.g. 2.5 hours/day x 3 days)
  • Approx. £37,000 for creating 17.5 hours of new childcare per week (e.g. 3.5 hours/day x 5 days)

Additional funding available

  • Up to £1,350 start-up grant for training, resources, and registration costs
  • £200 per new place created for schools already offering wraparound care but want to increase your numbers
  • Support funding to help existing providers move toward viability, or apply for extra staffing for SEND support

Funding should:

  • Meet the needs of local families based on demand
  • Increase availability of places through new or expanded provision
  • Ensure consistent availability throughout term-time
  • Not reduce funding for full wraparound places
  • Serve as a bridge to full wraparound provision
  • Be available at least 3 days per week, before and after school
  • Allow flexibility in delivery, including different providers and locations
  • Allow exceptions for special schools with shorter hours or fewer days

Delivery options

Childcare can be delivered on or off the school site. Schools not in a position to run the childcare themselves can invite private providers through an expression of interest process.

Timescales

  • Funding is available for up to five terms, with a review after the first year
  • All funded childcare must start before 31st March 2026

How to apply

Out of school play and childcare conference – 26 September 2025, Exeter

Attend our Out of school play and childcare conference on 26 September 2025 at Exeter Racecourse, a must for all staff and managers working within the sector.

The event will be promoting all aspects of out of school childcare provision and covering the importance of play and the positive impact it can have on children’s development, mental health, the economic importance of having reliable and dependable childcare to enable parents to work or train and much more.

We are pleased to offer this event fully funded to all Devon school age childcare settings who provide wraparound childcare, Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) and access to Early Access Breakfast Club (EABC).

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

You will need to register with a shop account, if you haven’t already got one: Shop registration page | DES

out of school conference

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.

Sam Thomson from BeMore talks about the Essential 3 training on offer in this video: BeMore Introduction to The Essential 3 Series Training Programme for Devon Childcare Providers

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 (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 (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