Out of school clubs: getting started

Read our guidance on setting up an out of school club, including finance and business planning, use of premises, Ofsted registration, and staffing. You'll also find guidance on clubs that are off-site or run by third parties.

Last reviewed on 14 July 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 10478
Contents
  1. Find out if there's demand
  2. Check the existing local provision
  3. Carry out business and finance planning
  4. Find the right premises
  5. Check if you need to register with Ofsted
  6. Consider staffing carefully
  7. Have the right policies and procedures in place
  8. Prepare resources and equipment
  9. If you choose a club run by a third party
  10. Out of school clubs for EYFS pupils 

Out of school clubs include after-school clubs, breakfast clubs and holiday clubs or playschemes. 

They are designed to help parents balance work with family commitments, whilst providing children with a broader range of experiences.

You should provide access to wraparound childcare if there's sufficient demand – this should either be in your school or nearby, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. 

You don't have to provide out of school care yourself – some do, but other schools out-source their provision. 

Find out if there's demand

You should regularly survey parents to see if there's a need for wraparound care in your school community. You could:

  • Send an online questionnaire through your parent communication channel – you could use Google Forms or Survey Monkey*, for example (* please note that the mention of these products is not an endorsement from The Key)
  • Hand out a paper questionnaire for children to take home
  • Speak to parents at drop-off and pick-up times

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