Why Wraparound care matters
Wraparound childcare helps children feel safe and ready to learn before and after school, and during the holidays.
It also helps families by giving them more time to work, study, or manage their day.
This work is part of Best Start in Life, which helps children in Somerset grow and thrive.
About Wraparound care
Wraparound care includes:
- Breakfast clubs before the school day
- After school clubs until the end of the working day
- Holiday clubs during school holidays
These can run:
- In schools
- In early years settings
- In community buildings
- In childminders’ homes
They can be run by schools, charities, childminders or private childcare providers.
How to get started
Here are the key steps to setting up wraparound care:
- Find out what families need – talk to local parents and schools.
- Check Ofsted rules – especially if caring for children under 8 for more than 2 hours.
- Plan your space and activities – make it safe, fun and welcoming.
- Look at funding options – from local or national programmes.
- Get support from Somerset Council – including help with surveys, setup, and registration.
Ofsted registration
You must register with Ofsted if you care for children under 8 for more than 2 hours a day.
There are three types of registration:
- Early Years Register – for children aged 0 to 5
- Compulsory Childcare Register – for children aged 5 to 8
- Voluntary Childcare Register – optional for older children
You will need:
- Staff with DBS checks
- Safeguarding and first aid training
- Safe and suitable premises
- The right staffing ratios
Running care on school sites
Schools can offer wraparound care under their existing Ofsted registration if:
- The care is delivered on the school site
- It is managed by school staff or governors
- At least one child attending is a pupil at the school
If the care is run by an external provider or includes children from other schools, separate registration is required.
Childminders and Early Years providers offering Wraparound
Childminders and early years providers can offer:
- Before school and after school care
- Full day holiday care
- Mixed age groups
They must register with Ofsted if caring for under 8s for more than 2 hours a day.
They can choose the Voluntary Register if they only care for older children.
Offering wraparound care can help providers:
- Support local families
- Use their space more fully
- Increase income
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
The HAF Programme offers free holiday clubs for children who get free school meals.
It is run by SASP (Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership) and funded until 2029.
To join the programme, providers must:
- Offer fun, enriching activities
- Provide healthy meals
- Meet safeguarding and insurance rules
Apply through SASP’s HAF portal.
Participating in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a great way to enhance your holiday childcare offer. It can complement your usual income from fee-paying families while also supporting vulnerable children during school holidays. HAF also provides a valuable opportunity to connect with families who may benefit from your wraparound services throughout the year.
Supporting families with childcare costs
Being Ofsted registered allows families to use:
Tax-Free Childcare
Families can get up to £2,000 per child per year.
Providers sign up via HMRC.
Universal Credit Childcare Support
Families may claim back up to 85% of childcare costs.
Clear invoices help families make claims.
Childcare Vouchers
Some families still use older employer voucher schemes, so it helps to accept them.
Training and apprenticeships
If you are building a team, consider recruiting apprentices to support your wraparound provision:
Level 2 Playworker Apprenticeship
- Train while working in breakfast clubs, after-school care or holiday clubs
- No formal qualifications needed, but a DBS check and safeguarding training are required
- Apprentices help lead games, supervise play zones and build relationships with children and families
Find out more about Playworker Apprenticeships Playworker (level 2) – apprenticeship training course.
How things are changing
National Wrapround Programme
Somerset is part of the national wraparound childcare programme. By September 2026, the aim is for all working parents of primary-aged children to access term-time care from 8am to 6pm.
Funding is currently available for the creation or expansion of wraparound provision.
For more information please contact educationplaces@somerset.gov.uk
Free Breakfast Clubs
From April 2025, five Somerset schools joined an early programme offering:
- A free, healthy breakfast
- 30 minutes of childcare
The programme will expand in 2026, with a longer term plan for all primary schools to offer this (date not yet confirmed).
Ready to Set Up
Setting up wraparound care is a valuable way to support children’s wellbeing and help families manage their daily routines. Whether you’re expanding an existing service or starting something new, Somerset Council can offer guidance and support. Wraparound provision delivered locally contributes to the wider offer available as part of Best Start in Life, helping children thrive from the early years through to the school and beyond.
You can also find details around wraparound and holiday provision in Somerset in the latest annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.
For more localised information please contact educationplaces@somerset.gov.uk request a childcare sufficiency assessment.