The development of out-of-school clubs is undoubtedly one of this Government's success stories to date - the rate of growth since 1997 has been so fast we are predicting a fourfold increase in the number of clubs by 2004 - yet there is still much to be achieved for school-age childcare, in particular a further increase of new places and more help to sustain clubs in areas of disadvantage.
The move to locate more clubs in schools, as part of an extended schools programme, may provide a solution for some clubs for which sustainability is a big issue - especially in areas of disadvantage and in rural areas where there is limited accommodation. The Education Bill, which is being debated by Government, paves the way for greater involvement of schools in childcare. This will be welcomed by many parents and existing out-of-school clubs, which have struggled to gain access to school premises to date.
It also brings opportunities to share valuable resources - sports, IT and arts, for example, as well as new opportunities to expand job portfolios for people who might work within the school during the day and in the club after school too. Most importantly, it might also mean a reduction in costs. If schools can provide access to good accommodation without charging rent, a major cost for clubs and for parents will be reduced.
Extended use of schools will be a major theme for Kids' Clubs Network over the coming months with briefing papers for clubs and a conference being planned. It will also be a subject for discussion at the KCN Childcare Revolution 2002 Conference on 14 and 15 March, which will be opened by the schools minister Stephen Timms.
For more information visit www.kidsclubs.org.uk