School age childcare is the term used to describe the range of childcare options available for children and young people aged 4 to 16. This includes wraparound childcare, such as breakfast and after-school clubs, as well as holiday childcare during school breaks.
The information on this page is designed as guidance for schools. If you are a parent or guardian you can find relevant information on all the different types of childcare available on Livewell.
Wraparound childcare
Wraparound childcare provides care before and after the school day, helping families who need childcare outside of school hours. These services offer a safe, welcoming environment where children can take part in a range of fun, engaging, and age-appropriate activities.
Typical examples include:
- Breakfast clubs before school (from around 7:30am onwards)
- Care provided on a school site, at a community venue, nursery, or by a registered childminder
Responding to requests for Wraparound Childcare
All schools should support parents' right to request wraparound childcare. Schools should keep a record of requests received from parents and carers and ensure that each request is considered and responded to appropriately.
Read Government guidance on responding to requests for wraparound childcare.
When managing requests, schools should be open and transparent about the process they follow. Schools should:
- clearly explain timescales for considering requests
- contact our School Age Childcare Team for advice and support where required
- keep parents, carers and providers informed throughout the process
- provide clear reasons when a request is approved or declined
Signposting existing provision
Many schools already work with external providers to deliver wraparound childcare either on the school site or at another nearby location. Where this is the case, schools should actively signpost families to these providers.
Effective ways to promote wraparound childcare include:
- Providing accurate information about wraparound childcare on the school website
- Sharing details through school social media channels
- Highlighting provision in the school prospectus
- Promoting services through newsletters including how to access Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit Childcare as a way of reducing costs
- Displaying information on noticeboards and in reception areas
- Providing leaflets or website links for partner childcare providers
Delivery models
There is no single way to deliver wraparound care, with a range of different delivery models. Schools are free to choose the best model for them:
- School-run provision
- In partnership with other schools
- Childminders
- PVI run provision on or off the school site
If you are a school or provider, interested in opening or extending wraparound provision, we would be happy to help and discuss your next steps. We may be able to help with providing some Department for Education (DfE) funding to assist.
For further support, email our School Age Childcare team at school-age_childcare@bathnes.gov.uk
Breakfast clubs - paid and free
Breakfast clubs provide childcare before the start of the school day and offer children a safe, welcoming environment to begin their day.
Many clubs open from as early as 7:30am, helping working parents and carers by allowing children to be dropped off before the usual school start time.
Children attending a breakfast club are typically offered a healthy breakfast in accordance with current school food standards and can take part in a range of calm, enjoyable activities before lessons begin. This can help children settle into school, socialise with friends, and enjoy a positive, relaxed start to the day.
Parents will need to pay for wraparound childcare and these charges should be in line with the guidance on charging for school activities. Parents should be regularly encouraged to use tax free childcare and universal credit support to reduce costs.
All provision must be registered with Ofsted on the appropriate register according to the age of the children, or via a childminder agency.
An increasing number of schools are also joining the DfE's Free Breakfast Clubs programme, helping to make breakfast provision more accessible for families.
Free Breakfast Club rollout for schools
Since April 2025, the DfE has funded 750 schools to deliver a free breakfast club as part of the free breakfast club early adopters scheme.
Early adopter schools are funded to deliver a breakfast club which:
- lasts a minimum of 30 minutes
- is free and available to all pupils
- includes food
Schools have the flexibility to deliver the free breakfast club in a way that best meets the needs of their school, pupils and families.
Schools taking part in the programme will receive funding to provide a free breakfast club for all pupils from reception to year 6.
The programme is being rolled out nationally, with every state-funded primary school being required to offer a free breakfast club once roll out is complete (no definitive deadline for this rollout is currently available).
You can find out how to set up a free breakfast club, what funding is available, and explore case studies in the DfE's guidance and resources pages.
You can find templates and practical tools to support you in planning and setting up your free breakfast club in the Breakfast club blueprint: access resources and templates.
If you have any further questions about the free breakfast clubs rollout, please email Claire Bridson (School Age Childcare Lead) at school-age_childcare@bathnes.gov.uk
Bath & North East Somerset currently has six schools taking part in the programme
- Peasedown St John Primary School
- St Michael's Junior School
- Twerton Infant School
- St Martin's Garden Primary School
- North Star 180
- Whitchurch Primary School
After-school clubs
After-school clubs provide childcare at the end of the school day, extending the school day for families who need care beyond normal school hours. They offer a safe, supervised environment where children can relax, socialise with friends, and take part in a variety of enjoyable activities.
Activities may include arts and crafts, sports, games, outdoor play, music, cooking, and homework support, depending on the provider. After-school clubs are a paid childcare service, with fees varying between settings. Some include a snack.
Clubs may operate until 6pm, helping parents and carers balance work and family commitments by providing a reliable childcare option.
Holiday childcare - HAF
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is funded by the DfE and provides eligible children with free holiday activities and nutritious meals during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays.
The programme is primarily available to children who receive benefits-related free school meals, helping families access enriching experiences, stay active, make new friends and enjoy healthy food during school holiday periods. Schools play an important role in promoting the programme and encouraging eligible families to take up their HAF entitlement.
Families eligible for free school meals under the 'Targeted Free School meals' category are eligible for HAF.
For information on the current providers or for information on how to become a HAF provider, please contact our School-Age Childcare team at school-age_childcare@bathnes.gov.uk