The National Wraparound Childcare Programme supports the government’s ambition for all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need term time, childcare during the hours of 8am to 6pm, to be able to access it in their local area by 2026. Schools are central to the delivery of the programme as they operate at the heart of the community, understand the needs of local families, and are usually the first port of call for parents for wraparound childcare. The expectation is that the majority of parents will access childcare through provision on a school site (either provided directly by the school or by an external provider).
To support the delivery of this programme, Childcare Works has created a series of recorded information sessions for anyone who is exploring how the National Wraparound Childcare Programme can be delivered in a maintained school or academy trust including:
- Maintained school and trust leaders
- Governing boards in maintained schools
- Academy trust boards and local governing bodies
- Practitioners and teaching staff
The content is split into seven recorded sessions:
Sessions One to Four contain information to help schools determine their role within the programme.
Session Five is a series of guides to support setting up of provision.
Session Six is about ongoing monitoring of provision.
Session Seven is for schools who would like to work with a PVI.
The recordings are accompanied by a checklist which can be used to track which recordings have been accessed as well as signposts to additional resources. There is also an information sheet available for LAs to share with schools about recordings.
You can access each recording through the links below:
Session 1a: Programme Overview
Introduces the National Wraparound Childcare Programme.
Session 1b: The Roles of Schools and Trusts
The role of Schools and Trusts in the delivery of wraparound childcare is the focus of this session.
Session 2: Delivery Models
Schools can deliver provision themselves, work with external providers and childminders, or develop cluster or hub models. This recording introduces different models of delivery, highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each model, discusses the interaction between wraparound and existing provision and provides ideas about how they work together.
Session 3: Is There Demand?
Provides hints and tips to assess potential demand within a school.
Session 4: Overcoming Common Challenges
Recruitment, lack of space, transport, insufficient time, parental affordability and inadequate demand are commonly cited as challenges. This session discusses each of these challenges in turn and provide insight into how they can be overcome.
Section 5: Introduction to Guides for Schools and Trusts Setting Up Provision
Outlines the different guides available to schools and trusts who are setting up their own provision.
Session 5a: Vision and Aims
Highlights key considerations including meeting the diverse needs of families, the concept of high-quality, safe, inclusive and accessible provision and the impact on school finances.
Session 5b: Staffing, Training and Ratios
Introduces the principles of staffing, training and ratios and introduces safeguarding requirements.
Session 5c: Delivery Requirements
There are minimum requirements which must be meet. This session introduces these requirements and signposts to useful sources of further information.
Session 5d: Food
Introduces the requirements and best practice when serving food to children. It also considers the new Breakfast Club programme and outlines how it will work in conjunction with wraparound.
Session 5e: Operational Plan
Managing the provision within your school or trust team. Here we explore key roles and responsibilities, day-to-day management and budgets and finances.
Session 5f: Insurance
Highlights steps to take to ensure you are adequately insured and provides links and tips to support schools in arranging insurance cover.
Session 5g: Quality
Creating provision where parents feel confident leaving their children and where children want to attend.
Session 5h: Affordable Charging Models
Introduces tools, strategies and resources to help your school or trust deliver affordable childcare.
Session 5i: Working in Partnership with Providers
An introduction for schools and trusts who would like onsite provision and wish to work with an external delivery partner.
Session 6: Monitoring and Maintaining Provision
Strategies to review demand to ensure provision is meeting current and future parent’s needs.
Session 7: Tips When Working with PVI
This session is for schools and trusts who have started the process of selecting their provider; it gives hints and tips to support a strong, collaborative working relationship.
This page was first published in April 2025.