Purpose

Wraparound Childcare provider JPAC have submitted a funding application through the wraparound childcare programme to set up a new wraparound provision providing before and after school childcare at Woodseats Primary School, part of Steel City Partnerships.

Sheffield City Council has received programme funding of £1,595,337 in 2024/25 to allocate to schools and providers to increase the amount of wraparound care. This new provision will deliver 60 breakfast club and 60 afterschool club places commencing March 2025. Approval of a grant of £120,000 is recommended to help with set up costs.

Decision

That a grant payment of £120,000 be made to JPAC as a one-off payment to deliver a new wraparound childcare service. The grant will be subject to a legally binding funding agreement.

Reasons for the decision

Sheffield City Council is delivering the Government’s Wraparound programme, to increase the amount of wraparound childcare for parents of primary aged children. Plans for delivery of the wraparound programme were approved at Education Children and Families Policy Committee on 8 February 2024.

Woodseats School currently has no wraparound childcare provision. Consultation with parents has shown there is demand for this service. The School have selected JPAC to set up their new service. This provision has a robust business plan to develop a new wraparound childcare provision offering 60 before and after school places. It supports SCC in its Wraparound Childcare Delivery Plan which has been endorsed by the DfE.

Alternative options considered

Refusal of application or approval with reduced funding allocation.