Out of School Clubs

Fun, Safe, and Professional Care Beyond School Hours

About

Out of school clubs​

Out of school clubs provide children with a safe and engaging environment where they can explore hobbies, develop skills, and socialize with peers after school hours. These programs offer a variety of activities that support both personal growth and academic enrichment.

School
Responsibilities

If demand is low, schools are expected to signpost parents to local alternatives, such as childminders or other out of school clubs.

Wraparound-Childcare

Wraparound Childcare Requirements

Schools must provide access to childcare from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM if there is sufficient demand, either on their premises or nearby.

Types-of-School Clubs

Types of Out of School
Clubs

Includes after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, and holiday clubs/playschemes for school-aged childcare services.

Schools Supporting

Wraparound Childcare Provision in Schools

Schools play a pivotal role in offering access to childcare from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. While some schools manage care directly, others collaborate with private providers. For families in areas with limited demand, schools helpfully signpost local options like childminders or nearby clubs.

Setup Club
Setup Club

Setting Up Out of School Clubs

Local authority childcare and early years teams provide support for setting up out of school clubs. Additionally, Out of School Alliance (OOSA) offers expert guidance to help you navigate the process and ensure success.

Compliance & Regulations
Compliance & Regulations

Registration and Regulation for Wraparound Care

Most out-of-school clubs providing wraparound care are registered with Ofsted and must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for children under five. However, some are exempt from Ofsted registration, which means parents can’t claim government childcare support such as Tax Free Childcare or Universal Credit.

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Testimonials

What people say about us.

Nikki Pitts

Hi Rebekah,

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the amazing courses, your constant inspiration and motivation! It’s really given lots of exciting things to think about and start putting into place … love it!

Adam Smart

‘Starting my own childcare business was unexpected and I struggled to understand the skills and knowledge needed to run it successfully. As someone inexperienced in business, I was in uncharted territory. However, after enrolling in Rebekah’s training, everything changed. Her advice and tips helped me bridge gaps and transformed the way we operate. Not only that, her expertise in play and early years education has elevated the business to become one of the leading childcare companies in Cambridge.’

Lianne

Our OOSA membership is non-negotiable for us. It set the foundation for our business and continues to play a huge part in how and why we continue to thrive in what feels like a very vulnerable sector. The resources available, sector knowledge, experience and support you can expect to receive is nothing short of outstanding. They make a lot of sense in a place where nothing is ever black or white!

In difficult situations, we have received honest, practical, and sound advice, some of which has saved us from the brink of giving up.

OOSA is a progressive and present voice for our sector. We feel supported, protected, and heard.

Keep up the amazing work you do, we’d be lost without you!

Claire & Lianne

“We cannot recommend OOSA highly enough to anybody that looks after children. Their paperwork packs are meticulous and their website a one stop shop for anything and everything you need.

More recently, they have been pivotal in supporting our club through a very stressful experience, not only in terms of their extensive industry knowledge, but in terms of emotional support and validation.

The whole team deserve a huge THANK YOU, but Becks in particular has been our rock, our safe space and our comfort blanket”

Kudize Club

I first joined OOSA when I started my wrap around childcare business in 2015 and it was completely invaluable with helping me navigate through the whole process; from registering with Ofsted and having all the policies and procedures in place to feeling confident the pre-reg visit then opening our doors for the first time.

 

OOSA has evolved so much over the years, and I love feeling part of a wonderfully supportive and professional OOSA community. I feel valued as a childcare provider when we are invited to share our insights and experiences, and I enjoy continuing to broaden my knowledge and understanding of the childcare sector with the opportunities my OOSA membership provides. Over the years, I too have evolved –  I feel much more confident as a business owner, and I have developed a professional vocabulary. I am  proud of what had been achieved for childcare sector so far, but determined to continue to educate the families I work with, on how vital Playwork and professionalism go hand in hand with proving their children with the best experiences when in our care.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become a member of OOSA?

To join the Out of School Alliance (OOSA), click any of the blue buttons that say ‘Join Us Today’.  You’ll be prompted to then choose the membership plan that best fits your needs, complete the online registration and payment. Once registered, you’ll gain immediate access to the membership benefits, including the Knowledge Hub and OOSA team support.

Check out the full list of OOSA membership benefits here. Most members tell us that their top benefits (besides access to the Knowledge Hub) are the monthly newsletter, access to our expert team, resources and advice, plus the exclusive discounts such as Aria Grace Law, Redwing HR & Morton Michel.

OOSA members get more than access to expert advice, support and guidance. OOSA members get heard. OOSA is the sector voice so even if you don’t access all the information on the website regularly, make sure you feed into the OOSA forums to have your voice represented to Secretary of State, Ministers, Department for Education, Ofsted and within the national press and media.