Out of School Clubs
Out of School Clubs exist to ease the childcare problems experienced by many parents due to work, training or other commitments.They provide breakfast clubs or before school clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs and wrap-around play-care for school age children.
Many schools have out of school childcare clubs, while others are based in village halls, community centres and day nurseries. Children’s attendance is registered and they are given a snack and a drink. Where appropriate (where a club provides care for children under the age of 8 years for more than 2 hours per day), clubs are registered with Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) and qualified or trained play staff supervise activities. The play environment should be stimulating and varied, with a range of activities such as arts/crafts, games and physical play which children can choose. A quiet area for reading and homework may also be available. Children are supervised until a parent or carer comes to collect them. Sometimes a collection service may be available to take children to school from the club and collect them from school at the end of their day.
For more information on out of school childcare clubs please contact the Family Information Service.
School Holiday Playschemes
Torfaen Play Service manages all open-access playschemes in Torfaen. In open-access playschemes children have the freedom to come and go as they choose. There is adult supervision but parents’ attention is drawn to the fact that staff cannot legally prevent children from leaving the premises. This kind of scheme is usually offered to older children (8-16 years) and runs from 10am until 3pm throughout most of the school holidays. The playschemes are free of charge.
Certain playschemes offer a Play Care – Playscheme Wraparound service. Play Care is only open to children between 8 and 16 years and is available for 2 sessions (8-10am and 3-5pm) per day with a £5 per session or £10 per day fee. For information on where this service is available please contact the Family Information Service.
Closed-access playschemes are registered with CSSIW and are managed by Cwmbran Community Council. These only operate in the summer holidays and are limited to the Cwmbran area.
Closed-access schemes are available from 9.15am until 4pm. An attendance register is kept and children play within a school’s grounds and are not allowed to leave the site without a parent/guardian. This kind of scheme is offered to children aged 4 to 11 years and priority is given to children who attend the school where the playscheme is held. The playschemes are free of charge (there is a £5 registration fee). For more information please contact the Family Information Service or register your child with Cwmbran Community Council at The Council House, Ventnor Road in Old Cwmbran.