School Age Care

There are three types of registered School Age Care in Centres:

• Playcare, which is available all year round, either before or after school and during the school holidays, for children in full time education up to twelve years of age;
• Activity Clubs, which are provided during the school holidays, offering a particular activity or sport in addition to care, for children in full time education up to twelve years of age;
• Wrap Around Care, which is for children from three years of age who are attending nursery class or in the first years of full time education.

Staffing the School Age Centre
A minimum adult child ratio must be met at all times in a School Age Centre, which is:

• one adult to ten children for children aged 5 - 12 years;
• one adult to eight children for children below the age of five years

No less than two adults must be with a group of children at any time, which includes:

• in the premises;
• on all forms of transport;
• on outings and visits.

A suitably qualified manager, or deputy manager, must be in charge of the Centre at all times, and of the total staff present at least 75% must hold, or be working towards, a relevant qualification.

Play Space and Premises
The number of children that can be accommodated in a School Age Centre at any one time, is calculated in the following way:

• 2.3 sq. metres of usable indoor floor space indoors must be available to each child;
• there must appropriate outdoor space and facilities available for the age of the children in the Centre;
• one toilet and one wash hand basin must be provided for every ten children;
• each toilet must be separated by a partition with a door, at a height of no less than 1.7 metres;
• a supply of hot water for hand washing must be available in the toilet area;
• hygienic hand drying facilities must be provided;
• the indoor temperature must not fall below 18°C

Health and Safety in the Centre, and on Outings
The manager of the School Age Centre is responsible for all Health and Safety issues affecting adults and children, which includes:

• carrying out an annual Health and Safety audit of premises and play equipment, and documenting this information for inspection;
• maintaining a satisfactory level of cleanliness and hygiene;
• a Fire Procedure which is understood by adults and children;
• exclusion of children with illness form the Centre;
• a no smoking policy on the premises;
• adequate safety arrangements for transport and outings;
• satisfactory facilities for the preparation and storage of food;
• a substantial snack provided for children in after school care facilities;

Records and Policies
A registered School Age Centre must keep up to date records on each child, so parents are asked to provide the following information:

• the child's name and date of birth, home address and telephone number;
• the name, address and telephone number of the adult with legal responsibility for the child, including their work address and telephone number;
• details on the child's doctor ;
• the child's health record, including recent vaccinations, allergies, dietary requirements and special needs;
• details of person(s) authorised to collect the child;
• written permission for emergency medical treatment and transportation in Centre vehicles

Only prescribed medication can be given to children in registered Centres, and parents must sign to give permission for this to be administered.

All accidents/incidents have to be recorded in an accident book and the parent/carer must sign and date this record to acknowledge they have been informed of the event.

An attendance register must be completed at the start of each session and children must be signed out by a parent or other authorised person when they leave the premises.

The adults employed in regulated Centres are expected to have an understanding of confidentiality, so if you are aware of any issues that may be affecting your child, please share this with the staff.

Each Centre must have policies that direct the play of children and the behaviour of the adult caring for them, and these should be made available in parent information.

These include:

• health and safety;
• management of behaviour;
• equal opportunities;
• play;
• admissions;
• child protection

Play Opportunities
A range of age appropriate play opportunities must be provided in registered School Age Centres, which include:

• opportunities for creativity, exploration and physical development;
• a quiet area for relaxation;
• a quiet area where children can do their homework;
• an area for making snacks;
• regular outdoor experiences

Activities should be changed on a regular basis, and be available at the beginning and up to the end of the session.

Children's Involvement
Children of school age are expected to be given responsibility, and choice in play. according to their age. The play environment must support this by providing:

• a range of opportunities for play;
• free choice of play opportunities at all times;
• opportunities to direct their own play;
• an expectation to attend to personal needs without adult supervision

School Age Centres are subject to an audit by the School Age/Foundation Stage Officer for annual re-registration, which includes self evaluation and consultation with parents and children.  Unannounced follow up and pop in visits are also made throughout the year.