Schools, early years and childcare

School age children may need childcare before or after school and in the holidays. In addition to childminders, childcare options will also include out-of-school clubs and holiday play-schemes.

Out-of-school clubs provide care and play for children and young people before and/or after school hours. They must be inspected and registered by Ofsted if they care for children under the age of eight years and may be registered with the Ofsted Voluntary Register (OCR). The voluntary part of the Childcare Register offers the choice of registration to providers who are not eligible for compulsory registration. These are mainly people looking after children aged eight and over, or providing care in the child’s home. The OCR enables eligible parents to claim help with their childcare costs through the childcare element of working tax credits.

The Extended Schools - Out of school clubs helpsheet (pdf 45KB) provides more information on this type of childcare. To use this file you will need adobe acrobat reader. If you do not have this on your computer, please use our advice page to download it.

If you would like further information on out of school clubs and a list of those with current vacancies in the Medway area please call Medway Family Information Service on 01634 335566, email familyinfo@medway.gov.uk or visit www.childcarelink.gov.uk/medway.

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