Wraparound provision in Coventry

Wraparound provision describes childcare options that are wrapped around the school day, for example before and after school. Wraparound can also include holiday provision.

In Spring 2023 the government announced its aspirations for every primary school aged child to have access to wraparound childcare between the hours of 8am-6pm, during term time. To support this aspiration, they allocated funding to all local authorities to enable them to work with schools and private providers to create new wraparound provision for schools where none currently exist or to expand wraparound provision that is already in operation, in response to parental demand.

In Coventry the majority of schools offer some level of wraparound provision to pupils both before and after school. This is delivered by them or in partnership with a Private Childcare Provider. Less than one third of Coventry schools provide a limited wraparound offer, or no offer at all. We want to work with these schools and private providers within their locality to develop a wraparound provision for all pupils who require it. In addition we will also work with schools and providers who have existing wraparound services, to expand hours or places, where there is parental demand to do so.

Models of delivery

There are a variety of models which can be considered to provide wraparound childcare to school aged pupils.

• School run their own provision
• School work in partnership with a private childcare provider who delivers wraparound care to pupils either on, or off site.
• School collaborates with a neighbouring school who delivers childcare from their site to transport children from one site to another at the end of the school day, for example by operating a walking bus.
• School consider working in partnership with local childminders. Childminders are able to operate from suitable non-domestic premises for up to half their operational time, whilst still registered as a childminder. This means a childminder or group of childminders could use a space within a school environment to care for pupils. This may be a good option if parental demand is low.

Where a school is looking to work in partnership with a private childcare provider, we recommend inviting expressions of interest, taking up references and visiting any existing provision operated by prospective partners. The Early Years Business, Sufficiency and Funding team can help in circulating school invitations to expressions of interest to all providers in the private childcare sector. Once schools have identified their private childcare partner/s, it is advisable to create a formal contract which includes the spaces to be used, rent and partnership working agreements with the private provider/s.

Things to consider

Parents often prefer wraparound provision to be on the same site as their children’s school. Provision that involves children travelling by transport may not be as popular with parents as provision that is situated on a school site. If you are considering developing a wraparound offer either as a school or in partnership with a private childcare provider, you will need to undertake a consultation exercise with parents to establish projected demand. The Early Years Business, Sufficiency and Funding team have created a template survey to help with this. If you would like a copy, please email the address at the bottom of this information. Where consultation demonstrates there is parental demand, you will also need to think about

• the number of children you are planning to accommodate ensuring there is sufficient space for them to play safely indoors and out.
• consider access to outdoor play spaces and toilet facilities.
• acquisition of appropriate resources for children from reception to year 6
• staffing and ratios (see Early Years Statutory Framework for staffing qualifications and ratios)
• booking and payment systems
• business planning
• signing up to deliver Tax-Free Childcare, if you are not currently registered.

Please note, this list is not exhaustive. It is merely intended to provide an example of the things you will need to consider.

Funding opportunities

The government has provided two types of funding; Capital funding and Programme Funding.

Capital funding

Capital funding can be used for building work, decoration, and the installation of fixed assets. It does not fund furniture or unfixed play resources. It is not intended to cover the cost of routine maintenance or refurbishment which is required primarily because of building condition.

However, it could be used to;

• Remodel unused space
• Improve accessibility to make wraparound provision more inclusive for children with additional needs or a disability
• Expand current wraparound building to create new provision for future demand
• Add an extra toilet
• Make more of the outdoor space. E.g. A log cabin could create more places or offer dedicated spaces for wraparound provision

We recently invited Expressions of Interest from schools and private providers to bid for capital funding to expand or create new wraparound places. The window for expressions of interest is now closed.

Programme funding

Programme funding is intended to support the creation of new wraparound places, or the expansion of places or hours in existing provision. This funding is intended to help with start-up and running costs, whilst the business builds income and financial sustainability.

Programme funding can be used to cover costs including staff training, resources, and transport hire, although it cannot be used to purchase a vehicle. It can also be used to contribute to running costs whilst demand builds. There is an expectation that where Programme funding is awarded, schools and providers will be financially self-sustaining by the end of the programme in September 2026.

Applications for Programme funding will be subject to the completion of:

• A robust business plan*
• Financial forecast document*
• A Programme funding application form*

Templates are available on request from EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk.

If you are interested in applying for Wraparound Programme funding, or would like to explore your options further with one of our Early Years Business, Sufficiency and Funding Advisors, please contact: EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk