Wraparound Childcare Programme
The government has committed funding to support an increase in wraparound childcare for parents and carers of primary school-aged children. Many schools will begin expanding or creating new wraparound places from September 2024.
What is wraparound childcare?
Wraparound childcare is before and after school childcare that wraps around the school day. It typically runs from 8 am until 6 pm (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.
Where can I find out more information about wraparound?
Please speak to your child’s school in the first instance.
Who is wraparound childcare for?
This childcare is aimed at working parents, or for parents who are studying or training for employment but is accessible to all parents who need it.
Do I have to pay for wraparound childcare?
Yes, you will be required to pay for before and after-school childcare. Costs will vary and are set by the school or the provider. In the Local Authority (LA), our ambition is that schools and providers keep costs affordable for families. Your child’s school will be able to provide you with a breakdown of their costs.
Can I get any government support to help pay for wraparound childcare?
Check what support is available to you by using the childcare eligibility checker. You may be able to access Tax-free Childcare , or Universal Credit Childcare to help with payments.
How is this different to after school activity/enrichment clubs that the school offers?
Many schools offer afterschool clubs that are run by teaching staff, or providers (or a combination of both) finishing well before 6 pm. Schools’ existing enrichment and extracurricular offers can interact with, complement, and support delivery of wraparound childcare provision.
Does my child’s school have to provide wraparound childcare?
No. Some schools will be working together with neighbouring schools to provide wraparound as a cluster (group of schools working together). This supports schools that do not have sufficient demand to run provision alone, reduces costs, and enables children to interact more widely with their peers.
You will not be required to pick up and drop off your child at another provision but will be required to collect them from the afterschool venue specified by your child’s school.
Where can wraparound childcare take place?
Both breakfast and afterschool clubs can take place at your child’s school, at a local neighbouring school, or at another local venue. You may be required to collect your child/ren from another afterschool club venue at the end of the day, this is because some schools will be working with one another and other providers to run wraparound in collaboration.
Will food be provided?
Speak to your child’s school about their offer.
My child has , are they able to access wraparound childcare?
Wraparound is intended to be an inclusive provision. Speak to your child’s school 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.
If your child has higher needs, they may be able to access support from Short Breaks. 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.
Looking for more information about Short Breaks?
Knowsley commissioned short breaks service
Access Knowsley’s local offer here:
What about holiday childcare?
Holiday childcare is not being funded as part of the wraparound programme.
For more information on the current holiday offer please visit: