School-age Childcare

School-age childcare

In December 2025, the government published a School-age Childcare Strategy to help families access affordable, high-quality childcare outside school hours. The strategy supports parents and carers to balance work and family life while giving children access to safe and enriching activities before and after school, and during school holidays.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance for schools and local authorities. It sets out how they can provide enough childcare for school-aged children. The guidance builds on the National Wraparound Childcare programme and aims to support the long-term sustainability of childcare places. It also brings together the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme and the National Free Breakfast Clubs (FBCs) programme to improve childcare and activity provision for children.

DFE school age childcarenational guidance 

• School-age childcare guidance for school and local authorities - GOV.UK
• School-age childcare guidance for schools - GOV.UK
• School-age childcare sufficiency funding for local authorities - GOV.UK

Wraparound Childcare

Wraparound childcare provides care for primary school children before and after the school day. This may include breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and childcare delivered on school sites or by partner providers.

The Government's ambition is for families to have access to childcare from 8am to 6pm during term time, helping parents and carers to work, train or study. Wraparound provision also offers children opportunities to socialise, learn new skills and take part in a range of activities in a safe environment.

Out of school club networks

The Early Year and Childcare team provide termly Out of school club networks which give wraparound providers the opportunity to network with other providers and receive up to date information on relevant local and national updates. To attend the network, book via the ChESS Early Years Training Hub.

Further information for providers of out of school childcare for children aged four years and over can be found on the Out of School Alliance | The web site of Out of School Alliance website.

DfE out of school clubs national guidance

• Responding to requests for wraparound childcare - GOV.UK
• Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK
• Out-of-school settings: safeguarding guidance for providers - GOV.UK

Cheshire East grant policies

• Wraparound childcare revenue grant policy (PDF, 225KB)
• Childcare expansion capital policy (PDF, 270KB)
• Sample grant agreement childcare expansion capital (PDF, 515KB)
• Sample grant agreement wraparound revenue (PDF, 505KB)

Free Breakfast Clubs

The Government is rolling out Free Breakfast Clubs in state-funded primary schools across England. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, and this means Free Breakfast Clubs in every state-funded primary school, will become a legal duty. These clubs provide children with a healthy breakfast and a calm start to the school day while supporting working families with childcare.

Free breakfast clubs are:

• Free
• Begin 30 minutes before the start of the school day
• Open to all pupils in reception to year 6
• Provide a breakfast that meets the School Food Standards
• Located on, or in the vicinity of, the school site

Research and feedback from participating schools show benefits including improved attendance, punctuality, wellbeing and readiness to learn.

DfE breakfast club national guidance

• Free breakfast clubs: guidance for schools and trusts - GOV.UK
• Free breakfast club roll out: everything you need to know  – The Education Hub
• Free breakfast clubs grant: 2026 to 2027 academic year - GOV.UK
• Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme - GOV.UK
• Free breakfast clubs: school case studies - GOV.UK
• If schools have any questions, they can contact DfE via the Free Breakfast Clubs user portal.

Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme supports eligible children through access to healthy meals and enriching activities that encourage physical activity, wellbeing and personal growth. It also helps ensure children remain safe, connected with their communities during school holidays, and ready to re-engage with learning when they return to school.

The programme is primarily available to children receiving benefits-related free school meals, although discretionary places may also be available to other children who would benefit from attending.  

Educational settings can support the HAF programme through direct delivery of holiday clubs or by providing access to school premises for partner organisations. This involvement can help build stronger pupil connections, promote community engagement, and improve relationships with families.

Schools are additionally well placed to promote the programme and work alongside local HAF coordinators to develop and strengthen provision, drawing on their knowledge of local needs and existing partnerships.

Resources and useful links

• For more information about the HAF Programme in Cheshire East, visit Holiday activities and food programme HAF
• Any queries regarding the HAF programme in Cheshire East email CEHAF@cheshireeast.gov.uk

DfE holiday, activities and food national guidance

• Holiday activities and food programme 2026 to 2027 financial year - GOV.UK

Monitor this page for updates or email Earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk if you would like any further information.