In the Spring Budget in March 2023 the government announced an investment of £289 million for a national wraparound programme, to achieve their ambition of supporting all families who need it to access wraparound childcare from 8 am to 6 pm.
In April 2024, Cambridgeshire County Council became one of five Early Adopter Local Authorities, beginning the programme a term earlier. Supply and demand of wraparound care across Cambridgeshire have been mapped and target schools and settings identified. New or expanding provisions must not impact the sustainability of existing provisions.
A robust grants process has been developed to administer grant funding to schools and providers wishing to expand or develop wraparound provisions.
If you are interested in expanding or developing wraparound provision or to find out more, please email earlyyears.service@cambridgeshire.gov.uk with the subject header ‘Wraparound’. One of our team members will contact you to discuss further.
Further information for schools can be accessed at Wraparound childcare guidance for schools - GOV.UK
Developing Playwork in a Wraparound Provision
Children’s experiences in a Playwork and Wraparound Care setting can have a lasting impact upon many areas of development, along with their health and wellbeing. High quality play provision offers children enriching opportunities to engage with.
Understanding the seven Playwork Principles and child development from three to 11-years, can support playwork practitioners to help children grow in a healthy way, and to explore their creative ideas.
Children can need the support and guidance when navigating their play. By understanding their play cues, and listening to their unique voices, we can encourage collaborative play environments where children are able to create, deconstruct and re-create their play with the help of others. Play supports many areas of development such as communication, confidence, friendships and critical thinking skills.
There have been many years dedicated to researching the benefits of play and the links to early childhood development. The seven playwork principles support providers in ensuring the provisions are centred around the children, interactions and ensure their voices are being heard. The UN Convention on Rights of a Child outlines the fundamental rights of children, ‘every child has the right to relax and play’ (Article 31), which further supports providers to be champions for children.
If you are a provider looking for specific support around wraparound care and playwork theory and practice you may be interested in purchasing a package of support via the Membership Offer. For further information please contact your Early Years and Childcare Adviser.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
There are a range of continuous learning for playwork practitioners in wraparound care provisions including:
- Leadership and Management
- Enriching play environments
- Back to Basics of Playwork and an introduction to Playwork
- Supporting children’s behaviours
- Inclusive practice.
These areas are to support providers in developing and enhancing team members knowledge to promote best practice within play environments.
For training and CPD opportunities, please view the Professional Development Programme.
Guidance and Resources
Statutory and non-statutory guidance for supporting practice for playwork and wraparound care provisions.
- EYFS statutory framework for group and school providers Size: 483KB File format: pdf
- The Playwork Principles
- Play England
- Play Scotland, the national expert in Play
- Play Wales
- Wraparound childcare guidance for schools - GOV.UK
- Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK
You may also find the Cambridgeshire Playworkers - Knowledge Hub useful to receive updates and support networking with other Playworkers in the school run, private and voluntary and independent sectors.
