Childcare and play services for older children

We want to make sure that you have the play and childcare services you need, when and where you need them and in the way that is best for you. This means that parents and carers have more chances to return to work or make use of training opportunities.

What are the different types of supervised out of school childcare services?

We have different services to suit different needs:

• Breakfast clubs - open in the mornings, before school, in your child's school or with a walk-round service to get them to school safely and on time
• After school clubs - open in the afternoons from approximately 3pm to 6.30pm, either in your child's school or with a safe, supervised collection and walk-round service (a few provisions use a minibus)
• Holiday playschemes - open during school holidays and teacher training days to cater to the needs of working parents, often available between 8am and 6pm
• Other projects open at different times (for example, weekend provision)

Out of school childcare is provided in Newham by voluntary, community and private organisations working alongside the council. Fees and arrangements vary from project to project. Activities also vary, but usually include elements of play, art and craft, sport, games, and socialising. There are also often visits to other venues, and day outings during holidays.

Out of school services in the borough must be fully inclusive and are registered with the regulatory body, Ofsted where the provision is for children aged eight and younger, or on the voluntary childcare register where older children are concerned. This ensures quality standards are met.

You can find details of childcare provisions for older children in the borough from the Family Information Service (FIS) via email customer.services@newham.gov.uk or by calling 020 8430 2000.


Open Access Play Projects

Newham also has a number of Open Access Play Projects for children aged between 5 and 16 years old. These schemes usually run between 3.30pm and 6pm for between 1 and 5 nights a week during term-time and sometimes in school holidays.

Open access play allows children and young people to come and go as they please and there is no charge for attendance.


Play workers in Parks

We now have a team of playworkers developing services in parks for children across the borough. Play in parks is currently available to children and young people aged 8-14 years after school, in the holidays and occasionally at weekends. Provision is free and children and young people can come and go as they please.

The purpose of open access play and the play workers in parks provision is to provide a safe environment which enables children and young people to learn and develop through a wide variety of challenging play opportunities away from their parents and carers, helping them develop the skills to play responsibly and safely.

You can find details of open access play provisions for older children from the Family Information Service (FIS) via email customer.services@newham.gov.uk or by calling 020 8430 2000.