Services for Primary School Children

Before- and after-school childcare services for primary school children aim to provide a safe environment for children to have a good time while their parents are at work.

Across Swindon, out-of-school services are offered by a variety of registered providers including

• Schools
• Private or voluntary out of school clubs
• Daycare nurseries
• Childminders

The range of services that is available locally is dependent on providers’ arrangements to drop off and/or pick up at a child’s school. Providers charge for out-of-school services and it's recommended that parents ask about financial help for childcare costs from the Family Information Service.

Breakfast Provision

This is provision is popular with parents who need to travel to or start work before their children go to school. It offers children an opportunity to have a nutritious start to the school day. Many groups are delivered by schools or by private or voluntary providers on school sites usually from 8.00am. For parents who need a very early start some childminders offer early morning services.

More information is available from the Family Information Service.

After-school Provision

This is aimed at working parents who need childcare services between the end of the school day and the time they finish work. After school clubs offer structured activities for children usually with the option to collect a child at five or six o’clock

After school services with a childminder can offer the greatest flexibility especially if a parent works irregular shift patterns or cannot guarantee to pick their child up at a specific time.

More information is available from the Family Information Service.

Services for Secondary School Children

Making decisions about childcare during a child’s transition to secondary school can be difficult for both parents and children. Some providers of before- and after-school care will continue to offer services to Year Seven children.

As children and young people progress through secondary school, working parents need to review after-school arrangements when registered childcare becomes no longer available. Many Swindon secondary schools are developing activities before and after the school day, which are aimed at 11- to 14-year-olds as part of the extended services agenda. These activities vary from school to school.

More information is available from the Family Information Service.

Further Information

For more information about choosing out-of-school childcare or to search for out of school services for your child please see Family Information Service.