School age childcare: national children's charter

How to run school age childcare

Funding:

• We need to make sure payments fit around when parents/carers get paid.
• Parents/carers who can't afford to pay can still send their child (and only the childcare leader or childminder would know they can't afford it!).
• We want to be involved in raising funds ourselves through donations, grants, fundraisers and business ventures (like bake sales and selling crafts).

Promotion:

• Putting up posters in local schools, shops, leisure centres, and community halls.
• Posting things online, like on social media and YouTube.
• Using mascots – local and national. For example Tiffany the Frog, Kevin the Minion, and Derek the Trow (Shetland Troll) or Sheep.
• Involving local children. For instance by making adverts or storybooks to tell others about what's available and welcoming children to childcare.

Rules and Rewards:

• They need to be clear, based on our principles, and agreed with children in each place. Bullying should never be allowed.
• Leaders can help us get better at things by giving feedback and rewards when we make progress on our individual goals.
• If the person running the childcare is someone's parent/carer, they need to not show favouritism and not share secrets about their children to other people.

Food:

• Is a really important part of what we do together!
• A range of options, which balance healthy food and treats (e.g. pizza and macaroni).
• Snacks! (particularly after school)
• Maybe a tuck shop, sweets, but only sugary drinks on special occasions.
• Options for children with different dietary preferences and requirements (e.g. vegetarian, allergies, or because of our religion).