Before and after school childcare
Before and after school childcare
Wraparound childcare is before and after school childcare that wraps around the school day. It typically runs from 8.00am until 6.00pm (hours can change depending on local demand) during term time, either on a school site, or another local setting such as a community centre, a nursery, or a childminder.
Wraparound childcare is different to enrichment or activity clubs which often run for a short period after school and do not run every day. Some wraparound childcare may be also available during school holiday periods.
Usually, wraparound childcare is available to primary school-aged children, but some provision may offer places from age 3 and up to age 14.
The government is continuing to commit to funding to support an increase in wraparound childcare for parents and carers of primary school-aged children.
Read more about:
- drop-off and pick-up
- if your school doesn't have wraparound care
- paying for wraparound care
- support to pay for wraparound care
- support for children with additional needs
- help and support to find wraparound care
- School Age Childcare Strategic Plan 2026-2029
Drop-off and pick-up
If your child accesses provision off-site, a walking bus or transport (by the wraparound provider) may be provided to get your child from their school to their nearest club. Your wraparound provider will be able to let you know their protocols for drop off and pick up.
If your school doesn't have wraparound care
Some schools will be working together with neighbouring schools to provide wraparound in partnership or may be working with an independent provider or childminder based on or off the school site to provide provision.
All parents in England have the right to request that the school their child attends, or is due to attend, consider setting up wraparound or holiday childcare if they don’t already have it. This applies to childcare for children up to the age of 14, or 18 for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The right to request only applies to childcare and doesn’t include activities such as after-school sports clubs, which are less frequent and can be a one-off activity.
You should write to your child’s school by letter or email and include when you most need wraparound childcare, detailing the days and times you need it.
The responsibility for securing sufficient childcare in an area ultimately lies with your local authority, so the school will liaise with them, and then get back to you with a decision within a school-term.
Paying for wraparound care
Providers will set their own fees for wraparound places, so prices will vary.
Parents and guardians will pay their wraparound childcare provider directly for their child’s place.
Support to pay for wraparound care
Households eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare will be able to use the support to help pay for wraparound care.
Tax-Free Childcare could save eligible parents up to £2,000 per year for children aged up to 11, or £4,000 per year for children aged up to 17 with disabilities.
Universal Credit Childcare could save eligible parents up to 85% of their childcare costs for children aged up to 16. Parents may also be able to get help with their initial upfront childcare costs.
To check if you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare, visit Best Start in Life.
Support for children with additional needs
Wraparound childcare is intended to be an inclusive provision. Speak to the wraparound provider about their offer for children with additional needs and what support may be available. If your child gets transport to and from school, this cannot be used to support attendance at a wraparound provision.
Support can be many things, it can be working with the provider around training and guidance, providing visuals and tools to allow better communication, or support from staff to work alongside your child at a setting working towards independent access.
Help and support to find wraparound care
York Family Information Service (FIS) can support you to find provision through their childcare brokerage. You can contact them by Telephone: 01904 554444 (Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm), Text only telephone: 07860 042712, or email: [email protected].
You can also use the childcare search option to independently find wraparound provision that is available to your family.
If you cannot find the information you're looking for and need further details, contact the designated wraparound lead by email: [email protected].
School Age Childcare Strategic Plan 2026-2029
Foreward
School Age Childcare (SAC) is a critical component of York’s social and economic infrastructure. School age childcare should provide children with a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where they can thrive beyond the school day. York recognises that high-quality wraparound care plays a vital role in supporting children’s wellbeing, development and sense of belonging. Alongside benefits for children, high-quality childcare enables parents and carers to participate in employment, supports family stability and reduces barriers associated with poverty.
The Government’s ambition is to create a sustainable, integrated and high-quality school aged childcare system that builds on the successes of wraparound childcare, Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) provision and the national rollout of Free Breakfast Clubs. This strategy sets out York’s response to that ambition and establishes a clear framework for delivery between 2026 and 2029.
Executive Summary
School Age Childcare plays a vital role in improving outcomes for children and young people. It provides opportunities to develop friendships, confidence, independence and social skills, supports wellbeing and attendance, and helps children access enriching experiences beyond the school day.
The strategy recognises that ensuring sufficient childcare provision is a key responsibility of the local authority and enables parents to work. Achieving sufficiency means ensuring that provision is accessible, affordable and inclusive. Attention will be given to improving sufficiency for children and young people with SEND and especially those with more complex needs.
The plan focuses on six strategic priorities: leadership and governance; access and communications; market sustainability; system integration; quality, safeguarding and inclusion; and evidence-led improvement. Together, these priorities will support the development of a SAC system that enables all children and young people to participate, belong and thrive.
Strategic Context
National reforms present a significant opportunity to create a coherent childcare system that works for children, families, schools and providers. York will align SAC delivery with wider priorities including Best Start in Life, Families First, Attendance Improvement, Child Poverty Reduction and Raise York. By embedding childcare within these agendas, the council can maximise both investment and impact.
Vision
By 2029, every child and young person in York will be able to access high-quality, affordable and inclusive school aged childcare that enables them to feel safe, develop friendships, build confidence and strengthens their wellbeing. It will also enable parental employment and support a strong local economy.
We will work with families, schools and childcare providers and partners to create a connected and sustainable childcare system that responds to local need, promotes inclusion and helps all children and young people to thrive.
Strategic Priority 1: Strong Leadership and Governance
The council will establish strong governance arrangements, supported by a dedicated School Age Childcare Lead and a cross-directorate Strategic Board. School aged childcare will be embedded across key partnership structures to ensure alignment with wider outcomes for children and families.
Key outcomes:
- Clear accountability and oversight
- Strong partnership working
- Effective risk management
- Integration with wider council priorities
Strategic Priority 2: A Clear and Accessible Offer for Families
Families should be able to understand and access childcare easily. York will create a coherent local offer bringing together wraparound childcare, breakfast provision, holiday activities and financial support.
Key outcomes:
- Improved awareness of available provision
- Increased uptake of support
- Better access for disadvantaged families and for children and young people with SEND
- Clear signposting and communications
Strategic Priority 3: Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Childcare Market
A resilient childcare market is essential for long-term sufficiency. York will use intelligence from providers, schools and families to understand demand, identify gaps and support market development. Particular focus will be given to SEND sufficiency.
Key outcomes:
- Increased sufficiency with a focus on inclusive provision
- Improved workforce sustainability
- Improved workforce confidence and capability in meeting additional needs
- Strategic commissioning based on evidence
- Growth in areas of unmet demand
Strategic Priority 4: Delivering an Integrated Childcare System
York will bring together SAC, Wraparound Childcare, HAF, Free Breakfast Clubs and Family Hub services into a more connected system. This will reduce duplication, improve efficiency and enhance the experience for families.
Key outcomes:
- Better coordination across programmes
- Improved value for money
- Stronger family support pathways
- Enhanced community impact
Strategic Priority 5: Quality, Inclusion and Safeguarding
Quality, safeguarding and inclusion will underpin all aspects of delivery. Providers will be supported to maintain high standards, promote safeguarding, strengthen inclusive practice and increase their confidence and capability in meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND.
Key outcomes:
- Safe, high-quality provision
- Improved inclusion
- Strong safeguarding culture
- Enhanced provider capability
Strategic Priority 6: Data, Evidence and Continuous Improvement
The council will strengthen the collection and use of data to understand local demand, monitor performance and inform future decision-making.
Key outcomes:
- Robust sufficiency assessments
- Improved understanding of need
- Strong offer informed by co-production and voice of the child
- Data-driven commissioning
- Stronger reporting and accountability
Delivery Framework
Implementation will be overseen by the School Age Childcare Strategic Board. Annual delivery plans will set out actions, milestones, performance indicators and resource requirements. Progress will be reported through council governance arrangements and national reporting requirements.
Measures of Success
By 2029 York expects to see:
- Increased childcare availability across the city
- Increased availability and uptake of inclusive childcare for children and young people with SEND, evidenced through improved family feedback, child voice and reduced unmet demand
- Greater parental awareness and take-up
- Stronger integration between childcare programmes
- A sustainable and resilient childcare market
- Positive contributions to attendance, attainment, wellbeing and family economic stability
Risk and Mitigation
Key risks include workforce shortages, provider sustainability, changing national policy and uneven demand across the city. These risks will be actively monitored through governance arrangements and addressed through targeted interventions and partnership working.
Conclusion
School age childcare is an investment in York’s future. Through strong leadership, effective partnerships, ensuring decisions start with the child and a commitment to quality and inclusion this strategy will help create a childcare system that supports children to thrive, families to prosper and communities to flourish.
Barbara Mands
Head of Early Years and Childcare
June 2026
