# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Free breakfast clubs grant_ conditions of grant for April to July 2026 - GOV.UK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get help buying for schools is a free and impartial procurement service for schools and multi-academy trusts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Provider Contract 2024 re Early Education and Childcare (EEC)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Policy and document templates - Out of school clubs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Useful information and documents for out of school club providers in Wigan Borough to help with learning and development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
All about Government help with childcare costs, including 15 to 30 hours free childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, tax credits, Universal Credit, vouchers and support while you study

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
(2022) After School Club Legal Requirements & Early Years Qualifications

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Finding out the legalities surrounding opening up an after school club can be challenging (or just downright boring!).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Disclosure and Barring Service helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. DBS is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Home Office .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to main content

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies

Information for providers, parents and carers on keeping children safe in community activities, after-school clubs, tuition, sports training and other out-of-school settings.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Information for providers, parents and carers on keeping children safe in community activities, after-school clubs, tuition, sports training and other out-of-school settings.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
And finally... the dreaded paperwork!

You will need to have in place a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and forms, from administering medication to sign-in sheets for visitors, with many, many others in between. Don't panic if you're running short of time and energy: we've simplified your task by collecting them all into sets of downloadable Word templates.

Policies and procedures

Our Essential Policies Pack contains the six policies explicitly required by Welfare and Safeguarding Requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2023), in addition we have included five other policies which are either implicitly required by EYFS 2023, or are required by other legislation.

A more extensive set of template policies, (together with a range of other documentation) is available in our Start-up Pack.

Forms

The EYFS Statutory Framework also requires you to keep written records of certain key items of data. These are listed below. We have also indicated which of our template forms you can use to record that data, and which of our template packs contains the form.

For each child in your care, a record of:

full name

date of birth

name and address of every parent and carer

which parent or carer the child normally lives with

emergency contact details

Registration Form

Daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises, their hours of attendance and the name of each child's key person

Daily Register (hours)
Registration Form (key worker)

* Note that all the documents in the Forms and Employment Packs are also included in the Start-up Pack.

As well as these forms for the records required by EYFS, you will also find it useful to have access to additional forms, such as fire drill records, play plans and pre-existing injury forms. Again, to save you time and effort, we have put together a downloadable set of Word templates for all the forms you are likely to need. See the for more details.

Liaising with parents

Once your club is up and running you will need to carry out customer satisfaction surveys of parents and children, and you might find it helpful to have a club handbook to give out to parents. Templates of these and other useful documents are available in the Parent Communication Pack.

Managing your staff

You will need to follow safe recruitment procedures when employing new staff as well as ensuring that they undergo a proper induction procedure. And you need to effectively supervise all staff and ensure that they receive regular appraisals and appropriate training. Template documentation to help you recruit and manage your staff is available in our Employment and Management Pack and our Staff Induction Pack.

And finally...

And the rest is up to you, so we wish you the very best of luck with setting up your club!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
And finally... the dreaded paperwork! You will need to have in place a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and forms, from administering medication to sign-in sheets for visitors, with many, many others in between. Don't panic if you're running short of time and energy: we've simplified your task by collecting them all into sets of downloadable Word templates.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Having decided on your business structure, the next issue to sort out is where the club will be located. It is important to consider the following questions when assessing the suitability of premises for housing an out of school club.

Does the school have somewhere suitable?
If you use a room on the school site, such as a spare classroom, you should customize it for your club's use as much as possible, for example through the use of posters, rugs, decorative table coverings, photographs, etc. It is important that the children see the club as separate from the school and not as a continuation of the school day. Transforming the appearance of the classroom will help to distinguish club time from school time.

Will you have to look elsewhere in the locality?
Village halls, church halls, youth clubs, Scout huts, sports centres, even empty shops, are all possibilities.

Can you buy a property?

Do you need to apply for planning consents eg, for change of use?

Who is responsible for repairs, maintenance and cleaning?

Location and access: is access suitable for people with disabilities?

How will you get children to the club?
If you will need to walk the children from the school to the club, is there a safe route? If you will need to drive the children you need to factor in the additional transport costs to your business plan.

Is there adequate parking for parents?

What facilities are available: is there adequate storage, use of kitchen, outdoor play area?
If your club will be registered on the Early Years Register, it must have access to an outdoor play area or, if that is not possible, you must ensure that outdoor activities (eg a trip to a local park) are planned and taken on a daily basis (weather permitting).
There must also be an area where staff can talk confidentially to parents or carers. This does not necessarily need to be a separate room: a quiet corner where you will not be disturbed or overheard would suffice.

Is there sufficient space for indoor play to comply with Ofsted requirements?
For children aged three to five years the space requirements are 2.3m² per child. There are no statutory space requirements for older children.

Are there sufficient toilet and hand-washing facilities?
Clubs on the Early Years Register must have an 'adequate number' of toilet and hand basins. Clubs on the Childcare Register must have 'a sufficient number of toilet and handwashing facilities suitable for the use of children'. Neither register specifies what constitutes an adequate or sufficient number; it is up to you as a provider to decide and potentially justify to your Ofsted inspector. In addition there should normally be separate toilet facilities for adults.

Can the premises and outdoor area be secured to prevent unwanted visitors and ensure that children can't wander off?

Will your equipment and records be safe and secure? Also, check that your insurance will cover the premises. For example some insurers won't cover equipment stored in wooden sheds or will require certain types of hasps and padlocks.

Can you afford it?
If you will be renting the premises, try to get a written agreement on any future rent increases. Some clubs renting community halls or rooms in schools have been hit by sudden and dramatic rent increases as local councils and schools attempt to make up for cuts to funding elsewhere.

Can you secure it for the long term?

Is it suitable for an out of school club?

For clubs on the Early Years Register, the premises you select will have to meet the welfare requirements set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2023).

The premises should be warm and welcoming and accessible for children, staff and parents. The environment should be safe and secure, with space organised to promote children's development. It is essential that you choose your premises well, as Ofsted will inspect your premises as part of the registration process if your club is applying to join the Early Years Register and will approve them only if suitable for purpose.
Next step: Employing the right people >

Having decided on your business structure, the next issue to sort out is where the club will be located. It is important to consider the following questions when assessing the suitability of premises for housing an out of school club.

Does the school have somewhere suitable?
If you use a room on the school site, such as a spare classroom, you should customize it for your club's use as much as possible, for example through the use of posters, rugs, decorative table coverings, photographs, etc. It is important that the children see the club as separate from the school and not as a continuation of the school day. Transforming the appearance of the classroom will help to distinguish club time from school time.

Will you have to look elsewhere in the locality?
Village halls, church halls, youth clubs, Scout huts, sports centres, even empty shops, are all possibilities.

Can you buy a property?

Do you need to apply for planning consents eg, for change of use?

Who is responsible for repairs, maintenance and cleaning?

Location and access: is access suitable for people with disabilities?

How will you get children to the club?
If you will need to walk the children from the school to the club, is there a safe route? If you will need to drive the children you need to factor in the additional transport costs to your business plan.

Is there adequate parking for parents?

What facilities are available: is there adequate storage, use of kitchen, outdoor play area?
If your club will be registered on the Early Years Register, it must have access to an outdoor play area or, if that is not possible, you must ensure that outdoor activities (eg a trip to a local park) are planned and taken on a daily basis (weather permitting).
There must also be an area where staff can talk confidentially to parents or carers. This does not necessarily need to be a separate room: a quiet corner where you will not be disturbed or overheard would suffice.

Is there sufficient space for indoor play to comply with Ofsted requirements?
For children aged three to five years the space requirements are 2.3m² per child. There are no statutory space requirements for older children.

Are there sufficient toilet and hand-washing facilities?
Clubs on the Early Years Register must have an 'adequate number' of toilet and hand basins. Clubs on the Childcare Register must have 'a sufficient number of toilet and handwashing facilities suitable for the use of children'. Neither register specifies what constitutes an adequate or sufficient number; it is up to you as a provider to decide and potentially justify to your Ofsted inspector. In addition there should normally be separate toilet facilities for adults.

Can the premises and outdoor area be secured to prevent unwanted visitors and ensure that children can't wander off?

Will your equipment and records be safe and secure? Also, check that your insurance will cover the premises. For example some insurers won't cover equipment stored in wooden sheds or will require certain types of hasps and padlocks.

Can you afford it?
If you will be renting the premises, try to get a written agreement on any future rent increases. Some clubs renting community halls or rooms in schools have been hit by sudden and dramatic rent increases as local councils and schools attempt to make up for cuts to funding elsewhere.

Can you secure it for the long term?

Is it suitable for an out of school club?

For clubs on the Early Years Register, the premises you select will have to meet the welfare requirements set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2023).

The premises should be warm and welcoming and accessible for children, staff and parents. The environment should be safe and secure, with space organised to promote children's development. It is essential that you choose your premises well, as Ofsted will inspect your premises as part of the registration process if your club is applying to join the Early Years Register and will approve them only if suitable for purpose.
Next step: Employing the right people >

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Finding suitable premises for your out of school club | Out of School Alliance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Having decided on your business structure, the next issue to sort out is where the club will be located. It is important to consider the following questions when assessing the suitability of premises for housing an out of school club. Does the school have somewhere suitable?

# data[].attributes.headline
Parent and Childcare providers 'right to request' 

# data[].attributes.subject
Parent and Childcare providers 'right to request' 

# data[].attributes.headline
Childcare providers registering with Ofsted 

# data[].attributes.subject
Childcare providers registering with Ofsted 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to main content

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies

Guidance for childminders, nannies, nurseries and people providing other childcare on when/if you need to register with Ofsted, the process, fees and requirements.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Guidance for childminders, nannies, nurseries and people providing other childcare on when/if you need to register with Ofsted, the process, fees and requirements.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sources of funding for out of school clubs | Out of School Alliance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Having decided to set up an out of school club, your biggest challenge will be to find the money to help you get started. The type of funding you go for will depend on:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This guest article is by Rosie Carter, CEO of SAFE. SAFE is a community interest company that provides guidance on child protection issues in line with current child protection legislation. SAFE is dedicated to promoting the welfare of all children and young people. www.safecic.co.uk

Legal background

The Protection of Children Act 1999 introduced CRB checks (now known as DBS checks) for all those who work or volunteer directly with vulnerable groups. Following the Bichard report into the tragic Soham case, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 came into force to prevent unsuitable people working with vulnerable groups.

Employing a barred person

Under the provisions of the Vetting and Barring Scheme it has been an offence since 2010:

for employers: to knowingly employ a barred person in a regulated activity (such as an out of school club), or to use them as a volunteer;

for employees: if you yourself are barred from regulated activity, you must not work, or seek to work, in regulated activity from which you are barred.

So in practical terms, this means that anyone working directly and regularly with children and young people must be checked against the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Children's Barred List which, for out of school clubs, can only be achieved by carrying out an enhanced DBS check. (See our article Who needs a DBS check? for more information.)

Failure to do so can result in a £5,000 fine and a prison sentence of up to 5 years, or both. A similar penalty exists for any individual applying for such work when they are barred.

Legal duty to refer

Employers also have a duty to refer:

It is an offence for employers to dismiss or cease using a person in a regulated activity because it is thought they have harmed or will pose a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults without referring the case to the DBS.

Conduct that should be referred to the DBS is any behaviour that:

endangers, or is likely to endanger, a child or vulnerable adult

if repeated against a child or vulnerable adult, would endanger them or would be likely to endanger them

involves sexual material relating to children (including possession of such material)

involves sexually explicit images depicting violence against human beings (including possession of such images), if it appears to the DBS that the conduct is inappropriate

is of a sexual nature involving a child or vulnerable adult, if it appears to the DBS that the conduct is inappropriate.

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

The key changes in the new Protection of Freedoms Act are:

ISA registration has now been scrapped

the CRB and ISA have been merged and are now known as the "Disclosure & Barring Service"

the introduction of a new DBS Update Service to allow DBS checks to be portable between employments

the DBS continues to bar but only for regulated activities

barring does not apply to other activities

it continues to be an offence for a barred person to apply for, or an employer to appoint, when barred

introduction of basic checks for all posts except regulated activities (date to be announced)

only the applicant now receives the DBS disclosure.

What should employers do?

Now the new Protection of Freedoms Bill is law, rigorous recruitment will be especially important due to the scaling back of DBS checks for all those who work directly with children. Enhanced checks are only available for those who lead on, or supervise, activities. There is no legal obligation to check support workers, however if they could be CRB checked previously, they can still be DBS checked. Employers need to be vigilant during the recruitment process to ensure they are confident they have appointed the safest person to work with children.

Applicant-only DBS certificates and the DBS Update service

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) applicant-only Update Service went live on 17 June 2013. This means that:

Only one DBS certificate will be issued per application. This certificate will be sent to the applicant's current address as they provided on their application form.

The applicant will have the opportunity at the time of application to opt-in for the Update Service for £13 per year. The Update Service is fully portable, meaning applicants will no longer have to automatically make a new DBS application whenever they change job or organisation.

*Note: If you are obtaining your DBS certificate through Ofsted, you are now required to subscribe to the update service.

How this will affect organisations:

All employers of staff and volunteers will need to consider how they will manage having sight of the certificate when it arrives. Offers of employment will now need to include a phrase similar to "subject to full sight of a satisfactory DBS certificate at the relevant level, within a reasonable timescale" to avoid delays.

For small organisations who do not benefit from professional HR services, SAFE recommends that the applicant passes their certificate in a sealed envelope to their recruiting manager so any information can be fully risk assessed and the certificate returned to the applicant within a short timescale such as 48 hours. This means that external help can be sought in cases where there are concerns about the suitability of an application to work with vulnerable groups.

Once an employee or volunteer has subscribed to the DBS Update Service, the recruiter will be able to keep track of them online; SAFE recommends this is done annually. The Update service will not show any confidential information, but it will inform the employer if there is a change in status, in which case, a new DBS application should be submitted for the individual in question.

More information

For more information on any safeguarding matter, contact your local Safeguarding Children Board. A list of contact details for all local Safeguarding Children Boards can be found on the SAFE website. Alternatively you can contact SAFE on 01379 871091 or email help@safecic.co.uk.

Related articles

Related template packs

Employment and management pack
Staff induction pack

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Safeguarding and safe recruitment issues for out of school clubs | Out of School Alliance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This guest article is by Rosie Carter, CEO of SAFE. SAFE is a community interest company that provides guidance on child protection issues in line with current child protection legislation. SAFE is dedicated to promoting the welfare of all children and young people.

# data[].attributes.headline
Keeping Children safe in OOSC and Community Activities 

# data[].attributes.subject
Keeping Children safe in OOSC and Community Activities 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Keeping children safe during community activities, after-school clubs and tuition: non-statutory guidance for providers running out-of-school settings

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This is non-statutory guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Ofsted inspects before- and after-school care and holiday provision (out of school settings)

# data[].attributes.headline
Do I need to register my club with Ofsted?

# data[].attributes.subject
Do I need to register my club with Ofsted?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ofsted registration for your out of school club | Out of School Alliance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Although there are a few exceptions, most out of school clubs which provide childcare (as opposed to clubs providing coaching in specific activities such as football, chess or French) will need to be registered with Ofsted. However, if the club is run directly by a school (ie the club’s staff are em…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you've already set up your out of school club, but are looking for more help and advice about the nitty-gritty of running your business, this is the place for you. We have a library of 75+ in-depth articles to help you, with more articles added every month.

Information and advice on all aspects of running your childcare business, from thoughts on babysitting and mobile phone policies, to GDPR compliance and tips on how to personalise your space in pack-away settings.
View the Your business articles

Once your out of school club is up and running, you can start to focus on turning your club into a successful business. The articles in this section cover a range of financial topics with the aim of helping your club to both make and save money
View the Financial issues articles

A collection of articles on staffing issues, including minimum wage, calculating holidays and holiday pay, safe recruitment, disqualification by association, DBS checks, etc.
View the Staff and employment articles

Information covering a whole range of issues relating to childcare regulation and inspection, including the implications of registration on the different registers, tips for meeting Ofsted requirements, responsibilities under Ofsted, etc.
View the Ofsted articles

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Information and advice on all aspects of running an out of school club | Out of School Alliance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you've already set up your out of school club, but are looking for more help and advice about the nitty-gritty of running your business, this is the place for you. We have a library of 75+ in-depth articles to help you, with more articles added every month.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The eight basic steps to setting up an out of school club are:

Is there sufficient demand for an out of school club? How can you find out? Do the results of your research give you an accurate picture?

Will your club be a charity, a social enterprise, or a straightforward business? Should you register as a sole trader or a limited company?

Are you eligible for any kind of funding to help you get started?

What should you look for when considering premises to use for your club?

Does your club need to be registered with Ofsted? If so, don't leave it to the last minute as the application process takes up to 25 weeks (depending on the register).

How many staff do you need? What roles do they need to fulfil? What qualifications or training must they have?

What equipment do you need for your club? What should you focus on if funds are short? Where should you buy it?

What policies, procedures and other paperwork do you need for your club?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Keys steps for setting up your out of school club | Out of School Alliance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The eight basic steps to setting up an out of school club are:

# data[].attributes.headline
LA Wraparound Webinar Q&A – 11 August 2023

# data[].attributes.subject
LA Wraparound Webinar Q&A – 11 August 2023

# data[].attributes.body
Local Authority wrap around Webinar Questions and Answers