Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-age-childcare-guidance-for-schools

Change description : 2026-10-07 15:14:00: Updated the section on ‘Food and nutrition standards’ in ‘Delivering school-age childcare provision: non-statutory guidance for schools and trusts’ to include new information on allergy safety, in line with allergen regulations. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2026-05-26 15:22:14.509009135 +00:00..2026-10-07 14:16:07.229489531 +00:00

Guidance

School-age childcare guidance for schools

Guidance for schools and academy trusts on how to set up and deliver school-age childcare provision and their role in supporting families to access provision during term times and holidays.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
PublishedPublished:
15 April 2026
Last updatedupdated:
26
7 MayOctober 2026 — See
Show all updates

  1. Updated the section on 'Food and nutrition standards' in 'Delivering school-age childcare provision: non-statutory guidance for schools and trusts' to include new information on allergy safety, in line with allergen regulations.

  2. Updated the section on 'When to register with Ofsted' in the guidance to clarify when an exemption applies and that exempt school-led SAC provision is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and the childcare element of Universal Credit.

  3. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Delivering school-age childcare provision: non-statutory guidance for schools and trusts

PDF, 535543 KB, 23 pages

Responding to requests for wraparound childcare

HTML

Details

This guidance is for:

  • school and trust leaders educating primary-aged children
  • governing bodies in maintained schools, academies, trusts and free schools
  • private, voluntary and independent childcare providers and childminders

It provides guidance to help schools:

  • understand their role in supporting the government’s vision for a sustainable, high-quality, school-age childcare system
  • respond to requests from parents and childcare providers about wraparound and holiday childcare
  • set up and deliver school-age childcare provision during term times and holidays, including free breakfast clubs and the holiday activities and food programme

Recruitment resources – Early years careers offers advice on how to build and sustain a strong, skilled school-age childcare workforce.

Updates to this page

Published 15 April 2026
Last updated 26 May 2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

  1. Updated the section on 'When to register with Ofsted' in the guidance to clarify when an exemption applies and that exempt school-led SAC provision is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and the childcare element of Universal Credit.

  2. First published.

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Update history

2026-10-07 15:14
Updated the section on ‘Food and nutrition standards’ in ‘Delivering school-age childcare provision: non-statutory guidance for schools and trusts’ to include new information on allergy safety, in line with allergen regulations.

2026-05-26 16:21
Updated the section on ‘When to register with Ofsted’ in the guidance to clarify when an exemption applies and that exempt school-led SAC provision is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and the childcare element of Universal Credit.

2026-04-15 12:00
First published.