Wraparound provision in Coventry - Print version

Information for schools and private, voluntary and independent childcare providers

Wraparound provision describes childcare options that are wrapped around the school day, for example before and after school. Wraparound can also include holiday provision.

In Spring 2023 the government announced its aspirations for every primary school aged child to have access to wraparound childcare between the hours of 8am-6pm, during term time. To support this aspiration, they allocated funding to all local authorities to enable them to work with schools and private providers to create new wraparound provision for schools where none currently exist or to expand wraparound provision that is already in operation, in response to parental demand.

In Coventry the majority of schools offer some level of wraparound provision to pupils both before and after school. This is delivered by them or in partnership with a Private Childcare Provider. Less than one third of Coventry schools provide a limited wraparound offer, or no offer at all. We want to work with these schools and private providers within their locality to develop a wraparound provision for all pupils who require it. In addition we will also work with schools and providers who have existing wraparound services, to expand hours or places, where there is parental demand to do so.

Models of delivery

There are a variety of models which can be considered to provide wraparound childcare to school aged pupils.

• School run their own provision
• School work in partnership with a private childcare provider who delivers wraparound care to pupils either on, or off site.
• School collaborates with a neighbouring school who delivers childcare from their site to transport children from one site to another at the end of the school day, for example by operating a walking bus.
• School consider working in partnership with local childminders. Childminders are able to operate from suitable non-domestic premises for up to half their operational time, whilst still registered as a childminder. This means a childminder or group of childminders could use a space within a school environment to care for pupils. This may be a good option if parental demand is low.

Where a school is looking to work in partnership with a private childcare provider, we recommend inviting expressions of interest, taking up references and visiting any existing provision operated by prospective partners. The Early Years Business, Sufficiency and Funding team can help in circulating school invitations to expressions of interest to all providers in the private childcare sector. Once schools have identified their private childcare partner/s, it is advisable to create a formal contract which includes the spaces to be used, rent and partnership working agreements with the private provider/s.

Things to consider

Parents often prefer wraparound provision to be on the same site as their children’s school. Provision that involves children travelling by transport may not be as popular with parents as provision that is situated on a school site. If you are considering developing a wraparound offer either as a school or in partnership with a private childcare provider, you will need to undertake a consultation exercise with parents to establish projected demand. The Early Years Business, Sufficiency and Funding team have created a template survey to help with this. If you would like a copy, please email the address at the bottom of this information. Where consultation demonstrates there is parental demand, you will also need to think about

• the number of children you are planning to accommodate ensuring there is sufficient space for them to play safely indoors and out.
• consider access to outdoor play spaces and toilet facilities.
• acquisition of appropriate resources for children from reception to year 6
• staffing and ratios (see Early Years Statutory Framework for staffing qualifications and ratios)
• booking and payment systems
• business planning
• signing up to deliver Tax-Free Childcare, if you are not currently registered.

Please note, this list is not exhaustive. It is merely intended to provide an example of the things you will need to consider.

Funding opportunities

The government has provided two types of funding; Capital funding and Programme Funding.

Capital funding

Capital funding can be used for building work, decoration, and the installation of fixed assets. It does not fund furniture or unfixed play resources. It is not intended to cover the cost of routine maintenance or refurbishment which is required primarily because of building condition.

However, it could be used to;

• Remodel unused space
• Improve accessibility to make wraparound provision more inclusive for children with additional needs or a disability
• Expand current wraparound building to create new provision for future demand
• Add an extra toilet
• Make more of the outdoor space. E.g. A log cabin could create more places or offer dedicated spaces for wraparound provision

We recently invited Expressions of Interest from schools and private providers to bid for capital funding to expand or create new wraparound places. The window for expressions of interest is now closed.

Programme funding

Programme funding is intended to support the creation of new wraparound places, or the expansion of places or hours in existing provision. This funding is intended to help with start-up and running costs, whilst the business builds income and financial sustainability.

Programme funding can be used to cover costs including staff training, resources, and transport hire, although it cannot be used to purchase a vehicle. It can also be used to contribute to running costs whilst demand builds. There is an expectation that where Programme funding is awarded, schools and providers will be financially self-sustaining by the end of the programme in September 2026.

Applications for Programme funding will be subject to the completion of:

• A robust business plan*
• Financial forecast document*
• A Programme funding application form*

Templates are available on request from EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk].

If you are interested in applying for Wraparound Programme funding, or would like to explore your options further with one of our Early Years Business, Sufficiency and Funding Advisors, please contact: EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk]

Coventry Wraparound Project – Frequently asked questions for families

What is wraparound care?

The term ‘wraparound care’ refers to provision directly before and after the school day, during school term time for primary school age children from Reception to year 6. The Government expectation is that Wraparound care is available to families Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm or equivalent hours, if there is a need. The aim of the programme is to ensure childcare provision is regular, has longer hours and is dependable for working parents.

Who delivers wraparound care?

Wraparound care can be offered by schools and private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers (including childminders and early years settings) and can be run on a school site or at another setting in the area. It should not require parents to pick their children up from school and drop them off at another location.

My school runs extra-curricular activities. Is this wraparound care?

No. Extra-curricular activities before and after the school day do not meet the government definition of wraparound care because they are not usually consistently available from 8am to 6pm, five days a week during term time.

What if my child’s primary school does not offer wraparound care?

The government expects all primary schools to offer wraparound care or work in partnership with a childcare provider such as a Day Nursery, Childminder professional or Out of School provision who provides places for pupils at the school. Primary schools should regularly consult with families to identify ongoing demand for wraparound childcare. Where a primary school does not offer the service on the school site (delivered either by school staff or by a private provider), it could be because: They have an arrangement with a private provider to deliver the service offsite. They are part of a community/cluster model whereby children from multiple schools attend a provision on one site, delivered by a lead school, a private provider, community organisation or another appropriate body. They have an arrangement with childminder professionals (registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency) which schools and the local authority signpost parents to. They have an arrangement with an early year’s provider that takes school aged children during wraparound hours. They have undertaken consultation with families and these show that there is not a current need.

As a parent, can I ask my primary school to offer wraparound care?

Parents can request that the school their child attends considers establishing wraparound care. The right to request only refers to care and doesn’t extend to extra-curricular activities. Once the school receive this, they will work with their local authority, respond to you in a transparent way, take the lead in managing the request process and make the final decision about what action to take.

I have an under primary school age child and a primary school age child. Can they both attend the same wraparound care provider?

It will depend on the provider and where the wraparound care is provided. If an early years PVI or a childminder is the provider, it is likely that both children can attend the same provision.

How will my child get to and from wraparound care if it is not being delivered at the school my child attends?

Parents should not be required to pick up their children from school and drop them off at another location. The wraparound care provider should have a robust plan in place to transport children from the setting to school at the end of the breakfast session. There will also be arrangements in place between the school and the wraparound provider to agree how children will be transported from school back to the setting for the after-school session. In this model, parents will drop off and collect from the private provider's premises.

Do I have to pay for wraparound care?

Yes, parents will have to pay for wraparound care. Parents/carers of primary school-aged children who are eligible for Universal Credit childcare (support for up to 85% subsidy of their costs)or Tax-Free Childcare (covering 20% of costs up to £2k a year or up to £4k for disabled children) can use this financial support to help pay for wraparound care. You can find the information you need on the Childcare Choices website.

If my school does not offer wraparound care on the school site and my child is transported to a neighbouring premises, will this incur an additional charge?

This will depend on the school and transport arrangements. If the distance is not too far then a walking bus may be a feasible option, but if there is a cost to the provider to transport children(for example: use of a mini-bus) then this charge will be added to the wraparound fee.

Can I just attend the before or after school care, or do I have to sign up for both?

The vast majority of wraparound providers in Coventry permit parents to book breakfast and after school sessions separately. However, you may be expected to commit to a weekly booking pattern for the term. For example: Monday, Tuesday breakfast sessions only; Thursday after school sessions only and; Friday both before and after-school. Some wraparound providers may allow you to book sessions on an ad-hoc basis.

What if I only need wraparound until 5pm and not 6pm. Will I just be charged until 5pm or have to pay until 6pm?

This depends on the provider charging model, but most providers will charge for the full session both before and after school.

Will I be charged if my child is sick?

Usually if you have booked a session for your child, then you will be charged for the session – or if you have paid for the session, there will be no refund. Each provider will have their own terms and conditions.

What if I am delayed and therefore can’t pick my child up on time?

Each provider will have terms and conditions that define their late collection fee policy.

Do I have to book sessions, or can I turn up on the day?

Each wraparound provider will have their own booking policy. Some providers will expect you to commit to a weekly booking pattern, in advance, whilst others will allow you to book on an ad hoc basis. It is generally advisable to book sessions in advance to guarantee a place

What childcare ratios apply at wraparound clubs?

This will depend on the ages of the children attending. Where wraparound care is for children in reception year or older, there must be sufficient staff based on a class of 30. The provider is expected to determine how many members of staff are needed to ensure the safety and welfare of children while bearing in mind the type(s) of activities and the ages and needs of the children. Where younger EYFS children attend the session, the EYFS rules will apply. The requirement is a 1:8 ratio for children aged 3-5. When considering ratios, providers should also consider the premises from which they operate to ensure that children are always within sight/sound of adults. Other things they need to consider include current risk assessments and lone working policies, etc. In addition: The needs of children with SEND must be considered as some children will require higher staffing levels.

Will staff be qualified?

There are no specific mandatory qualifications for staff delivering wraparound care, the minimum qualification will be: basic childcare knowledge at Level 2 (or for example: a Playwork qualification, sports coaching qualification, youth work qualification), safeguarding training, paediatric first aid, food hygiene training, enhanced DBS check, experience working with children.

Will all staff be DBS checked?

Yes, all staff caring for children will have to have an enhanced DBS check.

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Can they access wraparound care?

Yes, the programme must be accessible for all children. If a reasonable adjustment is needed to enable a child with SEND to attend childcare providers must pay for it and not parents. Where adjustments are deemed unreasonable by the provider but are necessary for the child to access the provision, parents may be asked to cover the associated costs. Parents in receipt of DLA are entitled to up to £4000 a year in Tax Free Childcare, which may be used towards any additional childcare costs. My child has SEND and they are eligible for school transport before and after school.

Will this be available to get them to school for wraparound care at 8am and then home when wraparound care closes at 6pm?

No. It is the responsibility of parents to drop off and collect children from wraparound childcare or make alternative arrangements. Whilst schools and providers must consider transport for children with SEND, it must be noted that the government are not expanding the current transport scheme.

What activities will be offered to my child?

Activities on offer will vary from school to school or provider to provider. They will be subject to facilities available on site. Within a school, there may be opportunities for extracurricular activities that interact with, complement, or support the delivery of wraparound childcare provision.

Will wraparound care clubs be Ofsted inspected?

All PVI providers and childminder professionals providing wraparound care must be registered with Ofsted, or in the case of childminders, be registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency. Depending on the nature of the provision and the age range of the children, this will include registration on the General Childcare Register (GCR) and the Early Years Register (EYR). Schools that provide wraparound childcare directly as part of their governance arrangements do not need to register on either the GCR or EYR but must adhere to the same standards.

What is the government’s breakfast offer and how does that sit alongside wraparound care?

The government is committed to offering a free breakfast provision in every state funded Primary school from September 2026. It is expected that breakfast clubs will fit with the wider wraparound offer within schools. It will be up to the school to decide how to manage the breakfast provision. The government advises that parents and carers should pay a lower cost for wraparound breakfast care, where the provider incorporates the 30 minutes government-funded element into the session.

Download and print [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/44311/coventry-wraparound-project-faqs-for-families]