Wraparound care – what to expect
We’ve talked a lot about wraparound care: what it’s all about, why it’s become such a hot topic for parents and schools alike and how it benefits children. We’ve also looked at how out-of-school care, such as wraparound care and holiday clubs, offer affordable childcare options for working parents.
But what actually goes on during wraparound care? Let’s delve into the nitty gritty and look a bit closer at what children get up to during these before and after school sessions.
Of course, we can only give you insights into what happens during Premier Education sessions, but hopefully it will help you and your child to feel fully in the know and prepared to attend.
Breakfast clubs
Before school starts, children have the opportunity to be dropped off at one of our breakfast clubs. Our playworker team members greet the children and talk to them about the activities on offer. Our team understands that it’s early and some children will still be (understandably!) a bit sleepy and may just want to ease themselves into the session slowly.
It’s also the case that, unlike the normal school day, children are not split into classes, but all ages are mixed together. Some children will thrive on being able to spend time with a wider age group, while some may be reticent at first. Our playworkers are brilliant at making all children feel comfortable and settled, whether they have peers there to play with or not.
There’s no pressure for any child to get involved with the activities available. They are free to sit and read, draw or just catch up with friends. But equally, they may enjoy participating in the range of games and activities on offer, such as:
Table football
Who doesn’t love the classic game of table football, or ‘foosball’ as it is also known? Each player picks a team and then spin their footballers to ‘kick’ the ball into the opposing goal. An easy, fun game for those who like to get competitive in the morning!
Crafts
We always try to offer some crafting activities at our sessions as they are a great way to ease children into the school day. We love providing kids with the opportunity to get creative with a variety of materials. If it’s a fine day we’ve even been known to take large-format materials outside to create something as a group.
Board/table games
Simple, fun board games or table-top games such as Connect 4, Snakes and Ladders, Ludo or Dobble are a fun way to gently get the brain working first thing in the morning.
Lego
Building with Lego allows kids to let their imaginations run wild. Whether they want to build a house, a robot, a tower, a rocket or just random shapes, those who want to start the day quietly will love having Lego blocks available.
Sport
In our opinion, no breakfast club is complete without some kind of movement to get the body and brain warm and fired up, ready for the day ahead! We love running an activity that might be a traditional sport such as basketball or rounders, or it might just be a fast and furious game of freeze tag.
Children always end the session with a smile on their faces, they feel energised and ready for their lessons. It’s also a great way of getting some extra minutes of activity in – after all, it’s the recommendation that children do at least 60 minutes of activity a day.
Fuel for the day
Mid-way through the session we pause to serve up a nutritious, balanced breakfast! The breakfast is usually porridge, toast or bagels or some sugar-free cereals. Orange juice, milk or water is available to keep children hydrated.
We always encourage all children to have something to eat as it’s so important to set them up for a day of learning. We always take into account dietary needs so no one is left feeling hungry.
After-school care
The after-school period is perfect for extending the school day – without it being anything like school! Our after-school sessions are informal and fun, providing the perfect environment for kids to wind-down after a full day of learning.
Usually held within the school hall or large classroom, depending on numbers, the after-school sessions are tailored to making sure children have the opportunity to burn off any excess energy, socialise with friends and catch up on any homework or reading.
So what sort of activities are on offer during the after-school sessions? As well as the activities listed for the breakfast clubs, children can also expect:
Free play
We give children space to pick an activity or just sit with friends and catch up. Kids sometimes like to digest the goings-on of the day with peers (don’t we all!) or become absorbed in a crafting activity or game to wind down.
Homework/reading support
Whether children love reading for pleasure or just need to get through a chapter as part of their homework, we always make sure there’s a quiet, comfy area to get lost in a book. And, should anyone need any extra support with reading or homework tasks, our playworkers are always on hand to provide some valuable guidance.
Outdoor play
Come rain or shine, we always try to make sure kids have access to the playground or field to enjoy some physical play. It’s the perfect way to get rid of any excess energy before bedtime.
Sports
Often, children have the opportunity to get involved with more structured sports activities such as a gymnastics club, football club, handball club or tennis club. Not only does this give children greater access to team or individual sports, but it also helps to develop a range of skills, from balance and coordination to ball control and teamwork.
Performing arts
Although sport is a big part of what we offer, our range of activities on offer also includes performing arts. We know not all children gravitate towards sports, so we often include a performing arts element into our after-school activities to provide a new and different experience to our groups. It’s where some children discover a hidden talent they never knew they had!
After-school snack
Just as we provide a balanced breakfast, we also provide a nutritious snack after-school to keep kids going until teatime. This snack might be: a pitta with houmous, crumpets, veggie sticks and dips, fruit or tea bread.
Snack time is also a great opportunity for everyone to just take five, sit down together and re-fuel.
Could wraparound care help to make your day a bit easier?
If our wraparound care sessions sound like they might suit your child, why not find out if your school offers them? By extending the school day, you’ll have the opportunity to work the hours that suit you without being constrained by the short school day.
You may also find that by being able to drop your child off earlier without having to worry about breakfast, removes some of the stress that can often ruin mornings.
Find out if you can access Premier Education wraparound care – we hope to see you soon.
