Out of school childcare

Before and after school (wraparound) childcare

What is the wraparound Childcare Programme?

In Spring 2023, the government announced that it would support working families to access before and after-school childcare. This available from 8am to 6pm, in their local area or school site. Wraparound childcare is childcare that ‘wraps around’ the school day, for example, before and after school.

This provision is offered by:

• schools
• private, voluntary and independent providers (PVI’s)
• childminders
• early years settings

We are working with school communities to ensure all parents can access this for primary aged school children. The government's ambition for before and after-school childcare is that it will be:

• available from 8am to 6pm during term time on weekdays
• delivered by your school or a childcare provider working alongside your school
• Ofsted registered childcare
• designed to enable parents to return to work or study
• different from school clubs or out-of-school activities which are less reliable for working parents

Information for parents

Who is eligible for wraparound childcare?

All parents in England with primary aged children are eligible to access wraparound childcare. 

Where to find before and after school childcare

Speak to your primary school or visit the Lincolnshire Family Services Directory.

What if wraparound childcare is not available in my area?

If wraparound childcare is not available to you, you have the right to request this. You can request this by writing a letter or email to the school:

• the type of childcare needed (before school, after school or both)
• the age of the child or age range of children requiring childcare
• what days of the week and times required

For further information, including guidance on parents ‘right to request’ wraparound care through their primary school visit Childcare Choices.

Paying for before and after school childcare

Parents and carers pay for wraparound childcare. Your child’s school or childcare provider will have more information on the pricing structure. 

If you are eligible, there is support with paying for your childcare costs through:
Tax Free Childcare could save parents up to £2,000 per year for children aged up to 11. If you are working working more than 16 hours a week, or £4,000 per year for children aged up to 17 with disabilities. 

Universal Credit eligible parents can claim up to 85% of their childcare costs.
To check if you are entitled to help with childcare costs, visit Childcare Choices

Information for schools and childcare providers

In Lincolnshire, we have launched our grant funding programme.This allows us to work with schools to develop breakfast and after school provision for primary aged school children.  

The funding will be granted to schools and childcare providers that meet the government requirements. This funding will create new before and after school childcare or expand the number of places or opening times offered.

Schools and childcare providers must be Ofsted registered to receive funding. 

The wraparound funding can support:

• staffing costs
• running costs
• purchasing of resources and equipment
• advertising costs (including banners, posters, and other materials) to increase occupancy levels
• staff training costs

For more detailed information please see the following document: Wrapround childcare: guidance for schools and trusts in England 
For guidance on responding to requests for Wraparound Childcare: Responding to requests for wraparound childcare.
To sign up to accept Tax-Free Childcare payments as a childcare provider: Sign up to Tax-Free Childcare if you’re a childcare provider

For more information about anything else or how to apply for funding, please contact WAC@lincolnshire.gov.uk
 

Breakfast Clubs Early Adopters Programme

As announced by the Chancellor, the Department for Education (DfE) will launch free breakfast clubs in up to 750 early adopter schools from April 2025. A small selection of these are in Lincolnshire.

This forms part of a test and learn phase, ahead of a national rollout. The goal is to ensure all primary-aged children have access to a free breakfast to start the school day.

Breakfast clubs will be:

• universal and free for all primary pupils
• at least 30 minutes long, including food
• a key part of helping children arrive at school ready to learn
• designed to give families greater choice and flexibility, particularly in relation to work

Schools are encouraged to promote the offer and support high take-up, especially among disadvantaged groups.

Breakfast club’s matter because they:

• improve behaviour, attendance, and academic outcomes
• help ease the cost of living for families
• complement the broader wraparound childcare programme

The DfE will also work with the sector, including local authorities and childcare providers, businesses, and charities to consider the best approaches to delivering breakfast clubs in schools.

This guidance: Breakfast clubs early adopter guidance for schools and trusts in England explains the role of schools taking part in the early adopter programme, as part of the government’s commitment for new free breakfast clubs in all primary schools.

It sets out the requirements and expectations of schools delivering universal breakfast clubs. It also outlines what schools need to consider when setting up, or expanding, existing provision.