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Out-of SchoolCare (including Summer Schemes)

Out-of-school care is care provided for school aged children outside of normal school hours.  It includes Breakfast Clubs (which usually run from 8am to 9am), After School Clubs (which usually run from close of school to around 6pm), and also Summer/Holiday Schemes (which provide care during the school holidays).

Children need safe care after school and during school holidays, often into the first couple of years of secondary education.  There has been an increase in the number of out-of-school clubs in Northern Irelandin the past few years.  They are usually based on school premises or in youth or community centres.  Some nurseries offer out-of-school care and holiday care too, though it should be noted that preference for places is usually given to children already enrolled with the facility.  A play worker may collect the children from school and take them to the out-of-school; some clubs expect parents to arrange this transport.  The pick-up time is usually6pmand some offer breakfast club facilities from 8am for parents who need to start work before school hours.  Out-of-school clubs and holiday clubs – run in school holidays, often by the same organisation – are regularly inspected by the HSSTs. 

Summer Schemes

Not all summer schemes are registered with the local HSST, although occasionally some will be so it is always worth checking with the Scheme Leader. 

Some summer schemes are organised by the local Education and Library Board or by the local Council and as such do not need to be registered.  This means that help with the cost of summer schemes run by the Boards or the Councils would not be eligible for the childcare element of Tax Credits, or Childcare Vouchers.  It may also mean that children may be unsupervised at certain times of the day (for example over the lunch time period), or that the scheme may not run for a whole working day (eg it may only run from10amto3pm, or be split into morning and afternoon sessions).

For a list of summer schemes not registered with your local HSST, contact the Youth Office of your local Education & Library Board, and also your local District Council offices.

An out-of-school club is ideal if:

• You cannot collect your child from school at the end of each day, and want a safe place for them to enjoy a range of sports and creative activities with children of a similar age
• Your child wants a place to play and have fun with friends after school
• You want older children to be supervised by adults.  Some clubs offer homework facilities.

An out-of-school club may not be so suitable if:

• You need more flexible hours – you usually have to pick up your child by 6pm
• Your child is too tired after school to socialise with other children
• Your child finds mixed aged groups hard to handle

Always check:

• Staffing levels, ratio of staff to children, and safety records.  Is an expert in charge of activities which need to be supervised closely?
• How secure the building is and how rigorous the signing in and out process is, especially for older children who may chafe at the rules
• How far in advance you have to book – you may have to put your name on a waiting list and commit to the days you want in advance.

Questions to ask:

• What activities are planned?
• Who is in charge and what are their qualifications and experience?  Arrange to meet and talk with them
• How many staff are qualified in first aid?
• Do younger children have a separate area so they are not overwhelmed by the older ones?  Is there a quiet area where all children can go to relax?
• How will they contact you in an emergency?