Giant steps for child care
Friday May 15, 2009
Schools across the borough are expanding after-school care to help working parents struggling with the effects of the recession.
The move is part of a major overhaul of childcare which will see the service traditionally provided by childcare projects brought in to schools. This, combined with the growing number of after-hours activities and breakfast clubs that many schools already run, offers working parents new options.
The Wraparound Club at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, in Basuto Road, Fulham, is an example of enhanced after-school care. From September, Holy Cross will look after children who currently go to the Palace project, as well as those who already stay on when the normal school day ends.
"I can highly recommend it," says Sands End mother-of-three Sharon Simpson. Sharon, who works as a beauty therapist, is just one of many parents already sending their children to out-of-hours clubs. Her two youngest children Yasmine, 10, and Dylan, seven, are both pupils at Holy Cross and have been going to their after-school club for the past two years.
"I'm a working mum, so it definitely helps. And the children love it! There is such a wide range of activities on offer," she said. And young Yasmine added: "We do all sorts of things - karate, Spanish, athletics, drama, football and cookery. "I like cookery the best because you can make new things every week - my favourite was butterfly cakes. I like staying on at school and so does Dylan - he loves it."
Hammersmith & Fulham Council says the new service is designed to make what's on offer work better for working families.
"Parents will no longer have to choose between childcare and after-school clubs," says the H&F cabinet member Antony Lillis. "Now, both services will be available under one roof. This is an enhanced service with so many new and exciting activities for children to take part in. Parents will also have peace of mind that their children will be safe, with fewer pupils having to travel to childcare centres at the end of the school day."
Gerry Mulligan, headteacher at Holy Cross, said: "We offer splendid facilities in our Wraparound after-school provision and we're convinced the children that choose to come from the Palace Club will enjoy the service our staff provide."
The council has confirmed that the overall number of childcare places available, and the fees charged to those currently using children's centre, will remain the same. This includes fees for working parents, residents eligible for concessions and free places for children who, for a variety of reasons, do not currently access after-school care.
