Holiday Childcare Clubs, Playschemes and Activities
A number of holiday playschemes are run throughout the county borough during school holidays. Schemes can be childcare based and registered with CIW or open access schemes.
CIW Registered Holiday Childcare Clubs
Holiday childcare clubs operate during the main school holidays, and children are left in the care of staff working at the centre. Children at holiday childcare clubs are cared for throughout the day until they are collected by the parent/carer. Registration with the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) is required when the holiday childcare club offers a service to children under the age of eight for more than two hours a day. If a Holiday Childcare Club is CIW, registered parents may be able to claim childcare costs through Tax Credits, depending on their circumstances.
Open Access Holiday Playschemes
Open Access holiday schemes can be located in a variety of settings with or without premises including leisure/community centres, outdoor playgrounds, playschemes and parks.
Open Access Schemes are mainly for children aged 8 to 14 years old and qualified play staff provide an environment which enables children to play. Staff provide a variety of resources and materials which ensure ALL children have access to quality play opportunities. Open access play aims to be child centred, friendly, safe, fun and inclusive for all children. Open Access schemes mean that staff can only supervise children while they are on site and participating in the scheme’s activities. They are NOT providing childcare and cannot confine children to the building or its grounds or prevent them from coming or going as they please.
It is important to understand the difference between an Open Access Holiday Playscheme and CIW Registered Holiday Childcare Club.
Please note: many of the schemes do not finalize their details until a month before the holidays. Clubs will not operate if there is insufficient demand for places. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Further information