A new study has shown that the City of York pilot scheme providing 30 hours of childcare to working families was the only local authority which allowed parents to use out of school clubs to take full advantage of the programme.
The council worked with childcare providers and six Out Of School Clubs (OOSCs), and has seen the authority exceed expected take-up of its 30 Hours scheme by 900 places.
Parents and carers have the choice to use before, after-school and holiday childcare from OOSCs in conjunction with other providers, including clubs such as Clifton Moor out of school club, FunFishers out of school club and pre school, St Paul’s out of school club and Haxby Road Primary Academy. KOOSH at both Park Grove and Acomb alsocontributed to the scheme.
The latest study showed some parents who use out of school clubs had changed their working patterns, moving their 30 hours across three full days rather than across five. Asa result of this level of increased take-up, holiday clubs may choose to introduce an hourly rate charge rather than just daily or half-day session fees.
Cllr Keith Myers, Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People said: "One of the reasons our pilot programme has been so successful has been the incredibly enthusiastic support from York’s OOSCs and their work with the city’s Shared Foundation Partnerships. It’s put York’s pilot scheme head and shoulders above that of other local authorities and has allowed us to bring additional places and flexibility to York’s childcare market without harming other providers.
"The 30 Hours programme helps to further improve the city’s already high quality provision, supports the sector to grow and also helps parents into getting back get back into work or extending their hours. Being the only authority to add OOSCs to the mix during the early implementation has undoubtedly contributed York parents’ enthusiastic take-up of the scheme.”