Setting up an out of school (OSC) provision

If you are interested in setting up an out of school provision, you will need to contact the Early Years Safeguarding and Welfare Officer. The Early Years Safeguarding and Welfare Officer will be able to provide support and advice throughout the process and will be able to signpost you to other specialist help if required.

Out of school care (OSC), also known as after school care, is the provision of a safe, caring environment offering a range of active, stimulating and restful activities for school aged children before and after school and during holidays.

It is important to research what OSC provision is currently available in any given area to see whether there are already sufficient places available. It is advisable that you look at setting up OSC provision in an area where there are not sufficient places already available.

As well as the Early Years Safeguarding and Welfare Officer, the Family Information Service may also able to help you with your research, as they hold a database of all OSC provision in Plymouth. They can be contacted on 0800 783 4259 or email enquires@routeways.org.uk.

Once you have identified a gap in the market, you will also need to check there is sufficient demand for an additional service by consulting with parents and the community.

It would be helpful to look at what provisions they use at present, if any, and what provisions they would like to be provided in the area.

The results of the consultation with parents and the community will help you to decide on, suitable premises, opening hours and the ages of children you will register for.

For support in writing a business plan you can contact the Business Support Team on 01752 856724 or email jrule@routeways.org.uk. The Business Support Team may also be able to offer you help with accessing potential funding that could help you in setting up your provision.

Ofsted is responsible for the regulation of childcare provisions in England. In order to set up a childcare provision you must register with Ofsted, on the early years register, childcare register or both. The Ofsted application process can take up to three months

Further information on the Ofsted Early Years Register, and Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register can be found on the Ofsted registers page.

The Early Years Safeguarding and Welfare Officer will be able to offer advice and support with:

• the Ofsted registers and application process
• ensuring that you will meet the welfare requirements and/or conditions of childcare register
• all aspects of health, safety and risk assessment
• training
• policies and procedures.

Guidance and forms about registration and Ofsted requirements can be found on the Ofsted guidance pages.

For further information and advice please contact the Early Years Service.

[Back to top]