Childcare support and activities

By September 2010 schools have to provide access to a range of services.

Although some services may be delivered by the school and/or on the school site, this will not be the case for all services.

Schools are encouraged to work in partnership with local providers to creatively find ways to make services accessible to their families.

This could be: 

• Advertising and signposting to services

• Referrals

• Consulting families

• Providing space for services to operate

• Taking part in the planning and commissioning of services

• Taking part in their local Extended Services Cluster Partnership

Extended Services are:

A Varied Menu of Activities

Including 

• Play

• Extended Learning Opportunities (Study support)

• Extra-curricular activities

 
The Family Information Service holds information about a range of activities within Wokingham Borough.

There are also a range of leisure activities for young people and playschemes and out of school clubs in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham Borough Council also runs some free playschemes during the Easter and summer holidays.

The Youth Service pages contain further information for young people.

Childcare

Primary schools provide access to childcare before and after school and in the holidays, in accordance with their community's needs and in conjunction with the Varied Menu of Activities. Secondary schools provide access to a safe place for their pupils to be before and after school and in the holidays. This could be provided by: 

• The school itself

• A private or voluntary-sector organisation

• Childminders

This does not mean that every school will have childcare on site - it may be provided locally by an independent childcare provider.

Tax Credits can be accessed (if eligible) to help with the cost of childcare.

The Family Information Service is available to help you find local childcare.

Support for Parents

Including: 

• Parenting skills support - such as courses, 1:1 support or informal groups

• Information sessions for pupils joining Reception or transferring to secondary school

• Information about services

• Other sources of useful information and support

• Family learning

For more information on upcoming Family Learning sessions, please ask at your child’s school.

Support for parents of children from pre-birth to 5 can be accessed through local Children's Centres.

Community Access to Facilities

Schools are encouraged to let out facilities, where possible, to community groups - including youth groups and adult learning programmes. Other local facilities are also available in your community.

Swift and Easy Access to Specialist Services

Your child’s school will know about a range of specialist services available through the local Area Children’s Team.