With election fever firmly fading into the background, it is time for the new Government to get on with the enormous task of delivering universal childcare and integrated services for all children. But it is also a useful opportunity to reflect on the gaps and challenges. So, as ministers at the Department for Education and Skills take up their desks, here is a helpful 'to do' list for out-of-school provision: 1 Look again at sustainability: demand-side funding offers real help to many families but most providers say that they are unable to sustain their clubs from parents' fees alone. We need supply-side funding as well. 2 Step up the major extended school programme: only 10 per cent of primary schools currently open 8am to 6pm.
With election fever firmly fading into the background, it is time for the new Government to get on with the enormous task of delivering universal childcare and integrated services for all children. But it is also a useful opportunity to reflect on the gaps and challenges. So, as ministers at the Department for Education and Skills take up their desks, here is a helpful 'to do' list for out-of-school provision: 1 Look again at sustainability: demand-side funding offers real help to many families but most providers say that they are unable to sustain their clubs from parents' fees alone. We need supply-side funding as well.
2 Step up the major extended school programme: only 10 per cent of primary schools currently open 8am to 6pm.
3 Support existing providers to extend what they do and how they work with schools. There are 12,000 out-of-school clubs - we need to build on that.
4 Sort out our workforce: many workers still say that they do not have access to the integrated training they need. The Government's 125m transformation fund may help here.
5 Ask children what they want from their new extended provision. Consulting with children needs to be built into everything we do.
6 Make out-of-school workers firmly part of the new integrated infrastructure. From children's trusts to local authority strategic planning, children's centres and extended schools to health, play and wider services, out-of-school workers have a crucial role and deliver a vital service.
There are, of course, many more issues, but tackling these would be a major achievement for any Government. They hold the key to the enormous potential that we now have - to create high-quality, inspiring out-of-school provision for all children in every community.
