Find out about before and after school childcare for school aged children.
Wraparound childcare is the term used by the government to describe before and after school childcare for school aged children during term time. These are often called breakfast clubs and after school clubs.
The government’s aim is to have wraparound childcare available every school day at every primary school from 8am to 6pm to help all parents access more childcare and work the hours they want to.
Wraparound childcare can be run directly by the school, a private company or a voluntary organisation. It can be located on or off a school site.
You can find more information about before and after school childcare for school aged children on the Best Start in Life website.
Parents and guardians looking for wraparound childcare are encouraged to contact their child’s school. You can also search for before and after school childcare using our childcare directory
Many schools offer activities that are before or after the school day, but they are not considered childcare because they:
The childcare provider sets costs, so they will vary. Contact the childcare provider to find out how much a session will cost. Parents and guardians pay the childcare provider directly. Households eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare will be able to use the support to help pay for wraparound childcare.
Wraparound childcare only includes childcare provision before and after a school day, so do not run during the school holidays.
Holiday play schemes offer childcare during some school holidays. You can search for holiday play schemes using our childcare directory.
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme also offers free activities during the school Easter, summer, and winter holidays, for people who receive benefits-related free school meals. This programme does not run during half-term school holidays.