Guidance
School-age childcare guidance for schools
Guidance for schools and academy trusts on how to set up and deliver school-age childcare provision and their role in supporting families to access provision during term times and holidays.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guidance is for:
- school and trust leaders educating primary-aged children
- governing bodies in maintained schools, academies, trusts and free schools
- private, voluntary and independent childcare providers and childminders
It provides guidance to help schools:
- understand their role in supporting the government’s vision for a sustainable, high-quality, school-age childcare system
- respond to requests from parents and childcare providers about wraparound and holiday childcare
- set up and deliver school-age childcare provision during term times and holidays, including free breakfast clubs and the holiday activities and food programme
Recruitment resources – Early years careers offers advice on how to build and sustain a strong, skilled school-age childcare workforce.
Updates to this page
Published 15 April 2026
Last updated 26 May 2026
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Updated the section on 'When to register with Ofsted' in the guidance to clarify when an exemption applies and that exempt school-led SAC provision is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and the childcare element of Universal Credit.
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First published.