Breakfast and After School Clubs
Out of school services are for school-age children to play and learn and have fun in groups, they offer care that extend the school day often enabling parents or carers to work or study.
- They are usually based in or near schools. Those on the school site may only cater for pupils attending that school.
- Those held at local premises such as Leisure centres arrange for playworkers to transport the children to or from their school.
- They can offer a safe place to play for 4 to 12 year olds outside school hours and may include meals, games, homework clubs, and sporting or craft activities.
- Not all groups especially those run on school premises only for children attending the school need to be registered to provide childcare by OFSTED.
- They are run outside school hours by a team of staff, usually called playworkers.
- Breakfast and Afterschool clubs operate during term time only but many will link into Holiday Playschemes that run during the school holidays.
- Many out of school services will be happy to offer you part-time childcare.
- But you may need to book regular sessions to make sure a place is available when you need it.
What sort of Breakfast and After School Clubs are there in Kingston?
There are different types of out of school services, so look around to find one that suits you and your child.
- You may be limited in your choice of groups by those that are linked to the school that your child attends
- There are those based at a school only for pupils of the school
- There are others that will drop off or collect from local schools.
- Breakfast clubs - open in the mornings before school so children can enjoy breakfast there.
- After school clubs - open in the afternoons between about 3.30pm and 6pm.
- Before and After Clubs - open in the mornings and afternoons.
- Out of school services are also sometimes called kids' clubs.
- Most children attending out of school services are aged between 5 and 11
- There are some services that provide places for three and four year olds to fit around nursery or pre-school education.
- Some services provide places geared for older children aged 10 -14, and children 15 to 16 with special needs.
Registered with Ofsted?
- Out of school services can be registered with OFSTED provided they are caring for children aged under eight years of age for more than two hours a day and more than 6 days a year.
- Currently some groups do not need to be registered such as those that care for children over the age of eight, if you are unsure ask the group or contact Kingston Families Information Service.
- Out of school services registered with OFSTED are checked to make sure the staff are suitable to look after children. At least half of them must be trained and there are rules on the ratio of staff to children depending on the ages of the children catered for.
- A check is also done on the premises of registered out of school services to ensure it is safe and suitable for children.
- After a group is registered, every year an inspection is carried out to make sure they continue to provide a safe and suitable service.
- Ofsted will specify on the groups certificate of registration the number and the ages of children that they can care for. There should also be a set number of staff to work with the children.
- If they are a registered group you should ask to see the groups registration certificate and the latest annual inspection report.
- Generally speaking groups that are only for pupils of the school are inspected as part of the schools education inspection and not under a separate childcare inspection.
- If you are unsure discuss it with the group themselves or contact Kingston Families Information Service.
Ofsted also has responsibility to investigate any complaint against a registered out of school group and then to enforce any actions or decisions that are taken in light of that complaint.
How much does a Breakfast and After School Clubs cost?
- It is best to speak directly to the group for costs but in Kingston the costs can range from £3.00 to £10.00 daily or £15 to £50 per child per week, for an after school childcare place but remember some groups provide longer sessions or a greater range of activities.
- Some offer reductions for siblings or lone parents.
You may be able to get financial help to meet your childcare costs through the Working Families Tax Credit or through a scheme run through your employer such as Childcare Vouchers
When should you start looking for Breakfast and After School Clubs?
- If you know you will need childcare wrapped around your child's school day you may want to look at which schools are linked to out of school groups, but as some may have waiting lists this will not guaranteed your child a place. But you could speak to the organiser to see what the general vacancy situation is.
- As soon as you know you will need a place, register your child with the group organiser and if necessary put your child's name on a waiting list.
- Some groups will only care for children once they are 5 years old but you can put their name on the waiting list.
Questions to ask when choosing Breakfast and After School Clubs
You know your child best, so look for a breakfast or after school club you feel will suit your child's needs.
You will have things that are very important to you so prepare your own questions in advance. Do ask about anything that worries or concerns you.
Good playwork staff expect you to ask questions and will be happy to answer them.
Apart from the practical questions of cost, length of sessions, the number of days your child can attend, other things you may like to ask are:-
- Has the group achieved or are they working towards any quality awards?
- How many staff are qualified and to what level?
- Can I look around the building to see the rooms the group uses and any outside play space?
- What food and drink do you give?
- What sort of activities will my child do? If they have home work is there the opportunity to do it during their session?
- How do you encourage good behaviour?
- What involvement do you encourage from parents? committee membership? Fundraising? etc
Things to look for when choosing Breakfast and After School Clubs
You know your child best, so look for an out of school you feel will suit your child's needs.
- Will the group drop off or collect from the school your child/children attends.
- Are the children calm, safe and happy?
- Do children play and talk together?
- Are the staff listening to children and answering them carefully?
- Are the staff friendly and proud of their work?Are the staff joining in with what the children are doing?
- Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play?
- Are there plenty of clean toys, games and equipment for children to use
- Are the premises clean, well-kept and safe for children? Do they have access to an outside play area (or will children go to parks and other places regularly)?
- Are parents encouraged to say what they want for their children?
OFSTED produces reports on the groups they have inspected both for childcare and Early Education(which can be a combined inspection). A summary of the report the school or group will usually supply, if you want to see the full report they may have one for you to look at or you can see them on OFSTED'S Website.
How do I find a Breakfast and After School Clubs?
Ask your child's school or prospective school if they are linked to any out of school groups
or
For a full list of Breakfast and After School Clubs in the Royal Borough of Kingston contact:-
Kingston Families Information Service
132 Kingston Road
New Malden
KT3 3ND
Telephone: 020 8547 6582
Fax: 020 8547 6667
Email: fis@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Visit: Offices open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday