Toggle mobile menu visibility

Holiday childcare hub/playscheme

Holiday clubs/playschemes provide care for children aged 4 - 14 years, they operate during school holidays and sometimes during school INSET days.

Children aged 3 years may be able to attend, however this is dependent on the type of registration and insurance the club/playscheme has obtained. Children will have the opportunity to participate in various activities and the children will be provided with regular drinks and snacks throughout the day. A packed lunch is usually provided by the parents which must be stored appropriately.

Holiday clubs/playschemes are usually based in schools or community buildings and can be run by a school, a voluntary management committee or by individuals as a private business.

Managing the holiday club / playscheme

The person in charge of a club requires at least 2 years experience of working in a day care setting and have a recognised Level 3 qualification from the Care Council for Wales National Qualifications Framework (for example, early years education or playwork appropriate to the post and age of the children).

Future changes to the national minimum standards for regulated childcare

Advance notice of changes of staffing qualification requirements from September 2021. The changes relate to standards 13.6 (DC) and 13.7 (DC) Day Care, and concern the qualifications required for persons in charge and non-supervisory staff in regulated childcare and play services for children aged 0 to 12 years.

The temporary amendment to standard 13.6 (DC) about qualification requirements for persons in charge of holiday play schemes has also been formalised. There are no changes to the current requirements for childminders, nor for registered childcare services caring for children under the age of 8 years old.

The requirements have been agreed in conjunction with Social Care Wales and SkillsActive, the sector skills councils covering the childcare and play sectors in Wales. The lead-in time for the childcare and play workforces to attain the required play qualifications has been set at September 2021.

More detail is available on the Social Care Wales list of required qualifications to work within early years and childcare in Wales, and the SkillsActive list of required qualifications to work within the playwork sector in Wales. Providers can view the circular letter issued by Welsh Government earlier this year.

The staff:

  • 50% of the remaining playworkers must have a level 2 qualification in childcare or playwork related fields. Playworkers who do not have previous experience must receive training on play and how the different types of play are important in children's development. Where this cannot be achieved immediately, the registered person will set out an action plan detailing how they intend to meet the criteria and agree a timescale by which it will be achieved. The Care Inspectorate Wales (opens new window) will consider the plan and offer their approval or indicate aspects that need improvement.
  • All staff must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS)

Clybiau Plant Cymru (opens new window) Kids' Clubs and the Children's Play Team offer help to set up, establish and support playschemes, play clubs and other similar play provision.

For more information please contact Clybiau Plant Cymru (opens new window) or the Family Information Service (FIS).

Close Choose Language