A STUDY has shown City of York Council was the only local authority which allowed parents to use out of school clubs to take full advantage of the 30 Hours childcare programme.

The council worked with childcare providers and six Out Of School Clubs (OOSCs), and has seen the authority exceed expected take-up of its 30 Hours scheme by 900 places.

Parents and carers can use before, after-school and holiday childcare from the OOSCs in conjunction with other providers, and some parents chose to place their three or four-year-olds at the same club as older siblings, with clubs including Clifton Moor out of school club, FunFishers out of school club and pre school, St Paul’s out of school club, Haxby Road Primary Academy as well as KOOSH at both Park Grove and Acomb contributed to the scheme.

The latest study showed some parents who use out of school clubs had changed their working patterns, moving their 30 hours across three full days rather than across five, but as a result of the increased take-up, holiday clubs may choose to introduce an hourly rate charge rather than just daily or half-day session fees.

Cllr Keith Myers said: "This innovation has brought additional places and flexibility to York’s childcare market without impacting on other existing providers.

"The OOSCs’ commitment to the programme and their work with the city’s Shared Foundation Partnerships has helped ensure the trials success in York. The partnerships’ relationships, support and communication with all providers has been crucial to last year’s work and to the scheme’s national roll out in 2017/18. The 30 Hours programme aims to further improve the city’s already high quality provision, support the sector to grow and help parents’ into work or extend their hours. Being the only authority to add OOSCs to the mix during the early implementation has undoubtedly helped achieve this."

Gail Potter, manager at Clifton Moor Out of School Club, said: "Parents and carers have the flexibility of choosing the type of setting they wish their child to go to. Being part of the programme allows younger siblings to access the same setting as older brothers and sisters and reduces the need for multiple pickups for parents at the end of their working day.

"Since being involved with the trial we have had more interest from parents of pre-school aged children who want to access our setting. After school clubs and holiday clubs play a big part in allowing working parents and carers to meet their 30 hours entitlement. Along with other childcare providers in the Clifton early years shared partnership, we will be supporting qualifying families."

To find out more about the 30 Hours childcare programme, go to childcarechoices.gov.uk