Over 1,100 more children benefiting from new "wrap-around" childcare scheme

More parents and carers in Norfolk are being supported to access work thanks to the successful launch of "wrap-around" childcare across Norfolk.   

Norfolk County Council is part of a Department for Education funded programme to support the development of new childcare places, that wrap around the school day - in either school breakfast and after school clubs or linked local childcare. 

Norfolk was one of four early adopters working to develop the programme, ahead of its national rollout in September 2024. 

The scheme aims to support parents and carers by providing primary aged children with access to high-quality childcare before and after the school day. In autumn 2024, an additional 1,148 full wraparound places were delivered across 73 schools. Norfolk now has over 3,100 wraparound places for children and young people, with plans to continue expanding to meet the growing needs of Norfolk families. 

The Wraparound Childcare Programme will be discussed during a childcare update at the People and Communities Select Committee meeting on Friday 17 January. For more information, you can read the committee papers. 

Councillor Brian Long, chair of people and communities select committee at Norfolk County Council said: "We are delighted to witness the positive impact of the expanded wraparound childcare provision in Norfolk. This initiative not only supports working parents but also ensures that children receive high-quality care and educational opportunities. Keeping the committee informed about the scheme's progress is crucial, as it will be a lifeline for many working parents and carers in Norfolk." 

Regular consultative group meetings with schools and providers have shaped and refined the programme. To assess demand, surveys were created and distributed, collecting 1,269 responses to date. Based on the mapped data, new wraparound places have been planned and continue to be developed. 

Collaboration has been key to testing new ideas and providing feedback, benefiting all Local Authorities (LAs) preparing for the programme. The council is offering support to other councils, participating in events, and asking challenging questions to refine the programme. 

This initiative marks a significant step forward in supporting families and ensuring that children in Norfolk have access to quality wraparound childcare. The Norfolk County Council remains committed to working with all stakeholders to continue improving and expanding these essential services. 

For more information about the Wraparound Childcare Programme, please contact: wraparoundchildcare@norfolk.gov.uk (monitored Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm excluding bank holidays). Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.