Childcare settings are being encouraged to consider expanding or creating new ‘wraparound’ provision for primary aged children in Wolverhampton.
Funding has been provided by the Government to the City of Wolverhampton Council to help ensure there is sufficient wraparound childcare such as breakfast and after school clubs in the city.
The funding is available to schools, Ofsted registered private settings and childminders, to either create new or expand existing provision which will cater for primary aged children from 8am to 5.30pm.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Access to available and reasonably priced childcare is crucial in helping parents back into work, while schemes like tax free childcare can support families with costs.
“It’s important that we ensure there is sufficient wraparound childcare in the city to meet demand, and so we’re asking schools, private settings and childminders to consider their current wraparound offer, whether it meets the needs of their families, and whether there is sufficient provision of reasonably priced and available childcare in their local area. If not, our Early Years team is here to help support settings to secure funding to expand their provision.
“At the same time, parents and carers have a key role to play too. If they are currently unable to access childcare, they have the right to request that the school their child attends, or is due to attend, considers setting up wraparound or holiday childcare if they don’t already have it. This can be done via the Government’s Education Hub website.
“We’re also encouraging jobseekers to consider a role working in a wraparound club. This sort of job can provide you with valuable experience in the childcare sector and opportunities for developing your qualifications.”
Settings which want to find out more about expanding or creating wraparound provision are invited to contact the council’s Early Years team by emailing early.years@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
For more details about requesting that a setting considers establishing new wraparound or holiday childcare, please visit The Education Hub.
Eligible working parents and carers with children aged 11 or under can get up to £2,000 per child each year towards their childcare costs, or up to £4,000 for children with a disability aged 16 or under, though the tax free childcare scheme. Help is also available for families claiming benefits such as Universal Credit. To find out more, including how to apply for support with childcare costs, please visit the Childcare Choices website.