Themes Calderdale’s Holiday Childcare Pilot had four themes. 1)Development of a ‘Safe Place to Be’ 2)Linking provision 3)Development of the Childminder Network 4)Library of Good Practice

Context Families’ Information Service Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Childcare Quality and Development team Workforce Development team Childcare providers findings Staff knowledge and experience

Aim “To improve quality and increase quantity of holiday provision for children aged 8-14 years in Calderdale”

Development of a ‘Safe Place to Be’ One drop off and pick up point for parents with children of different ages Separate provision within the setting for over 8s Change service users perceptions of childcare for older children Ensure quality of provision

Development of a ‘Safe Place to Be’ To extend age ranges worked with Trial new ways of working Flexible approach to delivery Extend hours to meet the needs of working parents Link with activity providers

Young People’s Involvement Highlight importance of feedback from young people’s perspective Personal feedback with individual reports Overall recommendations

Taster Sessions Link with existing Area Based Family Support teams Identify appropriate vulnerable families Work with local childcare providers Ensure clear systems and procedures are in place Link to Jobcentre Plus and other sources of support for returning to work or training

Evaluations of Taster Sessions “Without this childcare we would have struggled in the summer holidays.” - Parent “It was very beneficial. It provided a safe, stimulating environment for some of our most vulnerable children” - Family Support Worker 156 children supported to access holiday childcare over three holiday periods

Cluster Working Providers working together to offer age appropriate activities for older children Reduce costs and staff planning time Improve quality with sharing of good practice Wider range of activities for young people Young people able to engage with other children of same age group

Activity Provider Pack Childcare Settings Increased confidence in sourcing external activities Activity Providers Raise awareness of child welfare responsibilities Offer better sources of information Build the quality of local activities for older children

Childminding Network Increase the number of quality assured childminders working with older children Raise the profile of the Network Provide opportunities to share good practice Ensure documentation linked with the Network is appropriate

Workforce Development Improve quality of holiday childcare provision by providing bespoke training Training Needs Analysis to identify needs Use existing teams and professionals working with older children to deliver training Make new links to training providers Ensure marketing is targeted and appropriate

Play Services Locality based, low cost activity for childcare providers to access Job shadowing opportunity for childcare professionals Enhanced experience for young people

Key Lessons Learnt... Separate provision for over 8s Clear communication to parents of activities prior to holidays needed Development of a cluster approach requires clarity of roles and trust

Key Lessons Learnt... Support needed for activity providers Taster sessions are a low cost, high impact initiative Childcare providers are prepared to travel to a central training location

Recommendations Focus on older children needs to be maintained with continued support for childcare providers to improve quality If attempting to engage with childminders a more personal approach will be most effective Local Authority databases having to match the Ofsted database effects accuracy of information given to parents

Any Questions???