The Out of School Alliance has been set up by Catherine Wrench, a childcare professional, and Clare Freeman, an internet consultant.
Mrs Wrench said, 'When I was setting up my own out-of-school club, I was frustrated at how hard it was to get the full picture of what was required. I could find no single source with all the information I needed and I spent many late nights trying to assemble all sorts of policy documents to satisfy Ofsted requirements.
'Tracking down all the necessary policies, procedures and forms was confusing and time-consuming.'
The Government's extended services initiative stipulates that by 2010, all schools should be offering affordable childcare at or through their school from 8am to 6pm, all year round.
The Out of School Alliance offers advice on getting funding, a list of recommended equipment suppliers, tips for coping with Ofsted inspections, samples of all the necessary policies, forms and paperwork and many ideas for activities.
'Our aim is to make the lives of those running out-of-school clubs - whether they are just starting up or long-established - that little bit easier, as well as improving the environment and the quality of care enjoyed by children attending such clubs,' said Ms Wrench.
The Out of School Alliance also hosts an online forum, which acts as a meeting place for anyone running an out-of-school club, enabling them to share ideas and experiences and to offer mutual support.
Jackie Nunns, chief executive of Kids City, which runs 25 out-of-school clubs in south London, said that the new service was a 'great website' and added, 'It is of enormous benefit to all of us in the out-of-school sector, as we don't want to spend any more time tracking down paperwork and doing research than we have to.'
- Further information: www.outofschoolalliance.co.uk