Council approves changes to out of school care policy and guidelines

26 January 2017

Aberdeen City Council today (Thursday 26 January) approved changes to its policy and good practice guidelines on out of school care.

The Education and Children’s Services Committee approved the recommendations of council officers which are aimed at improving outcomes for children and supporting working and studying parents.

Councillor Angela Taylor, Education and Children’s Services Convener said: “This is great news for children and parents alike. In removing barriers for parents who work or study we are taking positive early steps in supporting the national expansion of childcare services for school age children which comes into effect by 2020.

“By reviewing our own childcare services now to better align them with the national expansion programme we will be in a much better position by to ensure children get their full early learning and childcare entitlement in 2020.

“This will allow us to focus on the provision for under-two’s as well as holiday provision for school age children to meet additional demand”.

The Out of School Care Policy and Good Practice Guidelines promote improvement and embed quality within provision in Aberdeen. It also seeks to develop innovative and inclusive services in partnership with communities, schools, parents and carers, children and young people and a wide range of external agencies.

The Out of School Care Policy was first developed in 2003 and updated in both 2008 and 2011 to take account of integrated children’s services.