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Coronavirus: Out-of-school clubs ‘on brink of collapse’

A third of out-of-school providers are on the ‘brink of collapse’, findings from a survey conducted by the Out of School Alliance (OOSA) has revealed.
A third of out-of-school providers fear permanent closure if occupancy doesn't bounce back, found the survey
A third of out-of-school providers fear permanent closure if occupancy doesn't bounce back, found the survey

It comes as the Department for Education (DfE) launched updated guidance for out-of-school, wrap-around and holiday clubs last night (20 August), just two weeks before schools are due to reopen.

A total of 620 people completed OOSA’s survey between 2 and 14 August, accounting for approximately 68,200 childcare places in before-, after-school and holiday clubs.

Of the respondents, 93 per cent ran an after-school club, 77 per cent a breakfast club, and 57 per cent a holiday club. 

A third of providers surveyed said that if occupancy rates did not quickly bounce back to pre-Covid levels, they would have to close down permanently within three months.

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