Balancing work and raising a family is a significant challenge for many parents. That’s why Deputy Minister Julie Morgan is urging parents across Wales to take advantage of Out of School Childcare clubs, which offer a safe and fun environment for children to thrive in while their parents pursue their careers. “Don’t wait until it’s too late – start using these valuable resources to give your children the best possible start in life.”

On the 6^th April 2023, Julie Morgan, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, with responsibilities including childcare, play and children’s rights, visits Dexter’s Holiday club to see what holiday care really means for children.

The Out of School Childcare Club based in Bridgend really does give children that opportunity to play and have fun with a range of outdoor play spaces and experiences on offer.

The club is regulated by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) against nationally recognised standards to ensure children are safeguarded, in their recent CIW inspection they received 3 ‘excellent’ ratings for Well-being, Environment and Leadership and Management.  With the CIW inspector noting:

“This setting is child centred with strong emphasis upon children directing their own play and learning.”

A copy of the inspection report can be found here

Owner Angharad Sully Williams explains:

“The children are free to run about, get muddy and take risks in their play, all overseen by staff who are specifically qualified in Playwork and trained in safeguarding and first aid”.

Parent/children’s quotes

“My daughters have been attending for a few years and I genuinely couldn’t be happier with the care. They do a huge range of activities and always come home full of stories after having a fantastic day. Totally recommend Dexters for a holiday club – thank you Sunny and team!”

“Luca 1st time today! he was so excited to go and Dexter’s didnt fail to deliver an amazing experience! he havent stopped talking about his day!Aamazing stuff…diolch yn fawr i bawb”

With a shift to many people working from home since the Covid Pandemic, Out of School Childcare Clubs struggle with lower numbers attending and therefore sustainability as parents try and juggle childcare and home working life.  For many key workers such as hospital staff, care workers and others who work away from the home, this is simply not an option.  And as many clubs continue to see numbers drop, this is really a call for parents to use or lose their community childcare facilities where their children can play freely with friends and have fun after school and in the holidays.

Clubs are able to advertise for free on the Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs’ website, enabling parents to find a club in their local community thanks to Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs’ new portal.

Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs’ is the umbrella body and voice of Out of School Childcare Clubs across Wales with a vision of a Wales where children play and communities prosper. Over 1500 clubs across Wales offer quality, sustainable, affordable childcare that meet the wellbeing needs of children and their right to play as well as enabling parents to work, increase hours or undertake training.  And for those able to work from home, it allows them to work uninterrupted whilst knowing their children are having lots of fun and opportunities to play with other children- what childhood is all about!