What is wraparound care?

Wraparound care is a term used to describe childcare services that operate before and after the traditional school day, as well as during school holidays.

For schools, clubs, or local authorities looking to implement or expand this provision, it refers to offering regular, dependable childcare that ensures working parents have consistent care for their children during the hours they are not in school.

This service can be provided on school grounds or at nearby facilities, eliminating the need for parents to shuttle their children between multiple locations.

Wraparound care often includes a mix of enrichment activities, academic support, and recreation, providing a well-rounded experience for children while supporting parents' busy schedules.

As a school or club looking to implement wraparound care, your aim will be to create a sustainable, high-quality service that can adapt to your community’s needs and provide peace of mind to parents, all while ensuring children have a safe and engaging environment to thrive.

9/10 of our schools and clubs praise MagicBooking for being easy to use! Simplify your wraparound care management today. Start by scheduling a cost and commitment-free demo or requesting answers to your queries!

What are the different types of wraparound care models, providers and settings?

When it comes to wraparound care, there is plenty of choice and it can get a little confusing. So, we’ve provided a table below that clarifies the different models of wraparound care.

Ready to start or expand your own wraparound care model? You’ve come to the right place. Wraparound care management is our thing. Our system simplifies the admin, payment, bookings and communication side of things so that you can focus on childcare! 92% of our schools and clubs found their previous system didn’t offer what MagicBooking does! Find out exactly how we can help you by booking a quick call or leaving us a message on our contact form.

The benefits of wraparound care: Why should your school, club or community offer it?

Meet the growing demand for flexible childcare

As the need for flexible childcare continues to rise, offering wraparound care can help meet the demands of working parents in your community. Schools, clubs, and community centres that extend their care beyond the regular school day are providing an essential service to families.

Offering wraparound care ensures you’re catering to the needs of working parents who require dependable care both before and after school hours. This flexibility can attract more families to your setting, increasing enrollment, loyalty, and engagement – all good for business growth and morale.

Enhance student wellbeing with enrichment activities

Wraparound care isn’t just about providing supervision; it’s an opportunity to enrich children’s lives outside of the standard school hours. Many wraparound care services include enrichment activities such as sports, music, arts, and academic support. These activities help foster a well-rounded development in children, improving their social skills, physical health, and academic performance.

By offering wraparound care, your school or club can contribute to the overall growth and wellbeing of children in your community!

Boost your school or club’s appeal to parents

Parents are increasingly looking for convenient, reliable childcare options that provide peace of mind while they’re at work. By offering wraparound care, your school, club, or community setting becomes more appealing to prospective families.

Schools or clubs with strong wraparound provisions are often viewed as more parent-friendly, and this can make your setting more competitive compared to others that don’t offer such services.

Additionally, providing a seamless, one-location solution for both education and childcare can make your institution a trusted choice for parents.

Generate additional revenue

Wraparound care can serve as a valuable revenue stream for schools and clubs, providing a source of income beyond traditional funding. By offering before- and after-school care, as well as holiday provision, you can charge fees for these services, creating a financial boost that helps fund other activities, resources, or even future expansion.

This income can be used to reinvest in your setting, improving facilities, or providing additional programmes for the children. For schools or clubs with limited budgets, wraparound care is a sustainable way to improve financial resilience.

Secure additional wraparound care funding and support

Governments and local authorities are increasingly recognising the importance of wraparound care and offering grants, subsidies, and other financial assistance aimed at supporting the development of childcare programmes. These funds can help with staffing, resources, or even infrastructure improvements, helping to make the launch or expansion of wraparound care more cost-effective.

By expanding your services to include before and after-school care, you may become eligible for grants, subsidies, or other financial assistance aimed at supporting the development of childcare programmes. These funds can help with staffing, resources, or even infrastructure improvements, helping to make the launch or expansion of wraparound care more cost-effective.

Reduce stress for parents and improve community support

Wraparound care helps to reduce the logistical challenges faced by parents who need to juggle school hours with their work schedules. By providing a reliable and convenient childcare option, your setting becomes a community pillar that supports parents’ professional lives and improves work-life balance.

As schools and clubs play a central role in many communities, offering wraparound care strengthens relationships with local families and demonstrates your commitment to the wellbeing of both children and parents.

Streamline operations with technology and efficiency

Running a wraparound care programme can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By integrating a modern school and club management system like MagicBooking, you can simplify the administrative tasks involved in managing bookings, payments, communication, policies, and registers.

We help you save time and money through a simplified, user-friendly, automated system. With the right tools in one place, offering wraparound care can be a seamless addition to your current services, freeing up resources to focus on what really matters - providing high-quality care and support to your community.

Ready to take your first step towards an admin, booking, and payment management system that unlocks time-saving, cash-savings, and stress-free efficiency? All you need to do is book a demo with one of our friendly experts (it can be as short as you like) or leave us a message on our contact form. Join 90% of our clients who found MagicBooking made them more organised!

Key policies, legislation, and expectations for providing wraparound care in the UK

When offering wraparound care, it's essential to stay informed about the relevant policies and legislation to ensure your provision meets legal standards and best practices. Here are some of the key regulations and expectations you need to be aware of:

• Ofsted Registration: Providers must register with Ofsted if they care for children aged 5 or older for more than 2 hours per day.
• Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Compliance with safeguarding policies, including the duty to ensure child safety and welfare, is mandatory.
• Staff-to-Child Ratios: Adhere to the appropriate staff-to-child ratios as per government guidelines, which vary depending on the age group.
• Health and Safety Regulations: Ensure your setting complies with health and safety laws, including risk assessments and child protection.
• Access to SEN Provision: Wraparound care must accommodate children with additional needs, ensuring equitable access to care.
• Curriculum Guidelines: While wraparound care is not formal education, it should offer enriching activities that complement the school curriculum.

It’s important to note that MagicBooking is fully Ofsted and GDPR compliant, helping you to tick these boxes. Our system also allows providers to leave notes on children’s profiles for better safeguarding, such as SEN or behavioural needs or allergies, as well as accident reports. Contact us to find out more.

Stay compliant and ready for success - learn more about how MagicBooking can help streamline your wraparound care operations by attending a demo.

Financial Options for Starting Wraparound Care in the UK: What’s Available for Schools and Providers in 2025, 2026, and 2027

Starting or expanding wraparound care can be a significant financial undertaking. However, there are several wraparound care funding and financial support options available from both public and private sources in the UK to help schools, clubs, and other childcare providers. Here’s an up-to-date overview of the key financial options available to help you establish or grow your wraparound care provision in 2025 and beyond.

Plus, if you’re interested in how the UK budget 2025-2026 will impact school and education you can read this article on the subject.

1. Government funding and support

The UK government has increasingly recognised the importance of wraparound care, with several funding initiatives designed to support providers in setting up or expanding their services. While some funding opportunities have passed, others are still active or are expected to return in the coming years.

• National Wraparound Childcare Programme (Closed to Applications): The National Wraparound Childcare Programme was a government initiative designed to improve access to before- and after-school care. Although applications for the programme closed in January 2024, the initiative’s impact remains significant, and future similar wraparound care funding programmes are expected. Keep an eye on updates from the Department for Education (DfE) regarding new initiatives to support wraparound care expansion.
• Holiday Activity Fund (HAF): The Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) offers financial support for holiday childcare, primarily focused on disadvantaged children. The HAF initiative runs annually and is administered by local authorities across England, with funding available for both schools and private providers. In 2025 and beyond, there will likely be continued support through HAF for providers looking to offer wraparound care during school holidays. Be sure to check your local authority's announcements for details on how to apply.
• Early Years Capital Funding (For Schools and Childcare Providers): While not specific to wraparound care, the Early Years Capital Funding is aimed at supporting childcare settings with building improvements, expansions, or renovations. If you plan to extend your facilities to offer wraparound care, this fund could help with some of the costs involved in setting up a space that meets the required standards. If you’d like to find out more, you can read the UK government’s 2025-2026 guide regarding early years entitlements.
• Also, the UK government has released a guide on high needs funding in 2025-2026.

2. Local authority and regional support

Local authorities (LAs) play a vital role in supporting the development of wraparound care services. Many LAs have funding schemes or other resources to support schools and community groups in offering wraparound care, including subsidies and financial assistance.

• Local authority funding and partnerships: Several local authorities provide financial support to schools and childcare providers in their area to improve the availability and quality of wraparound care. In some cases, LAs may fund part of the startup costs or provide ongoing support in the form of grants. To take advantage of this, contact your local authority or check their website for any available grants or funding opportunities for childcare providers in 2025 and beyond.
• Community and cluster models: Some LAs run community-focused models of wraparound care that involve multiple schools working together, often with the help of a lead school or a private provider. These models can benefit from local grants or subsidies to help share the costs and make wraparound care more affordable to families. If you’re considering collaborating with other schools or providers, check if there are any cluster models in your region that could offer financial support.

3. Private sector funding and partnerships

In addition to public funding options, there are also opportunities to explore private sector support for your wraparound care services.

• Business grants for startups and expansion: Various private organisations, including charities and grant-making bodies, offer funding for educational and community-based initiatives. These grants often focus on improving access to services and can be used to help with the startup costs of wraparound care. Keep an eye on education-focused charity funding platforms (like Rocket Fund) and business grant portals (like Grant Finder) for opportunities to apply for these grants in 2025 and beyond.
• Private investment or partnerships: If you're looking to scale up an existing wraparound care provision or launch a new service, private investment could be another avenue e.g. you can search for investors via Angel Investor Network. Some private organisations, particularly those in the education or childcare sector, may be willing to provide financial backing to help expand your wraparound care offering. This could be in the form of loans, equity investment, or partnership agreements that allow you to deliver a service while benefiting from additional resources.

4. Social impact investment and charitable funding

For wraparound care services with a strong community or social impact focus, there are social investment opportunities available. This type of funding typically comes from social enterprises, philanthropic foundations, or government-backed schemes that aim to support projects benefiting underserved communities or those addressing social issues.

• Social Impact Funds: In 2025 and beyond, there may be additional social investment funds that support educational and childcare projects with a social impact focus. These funds are usually granted to projects that demonstrate measurable benefits to children, families, and communities, particularly in areas with a high need for wraparound care services.

5. Tax reliefs and incentives for wraparound care providers

Some schools and childcare providers may be eligible for certain tax incentives or reliefs to help offset the costs of providing wraparound care. These incentives are designed to support organisations that are investing in the expansion or improvement of childcare services, as well as those that help improve access to affordable childcare for families.

• Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credits: Schools, clubs, and other childcare providers may be eligible for R&D Tax Credits if they are developing or improving any technology or processes related to the provision of wraparound care. or example, if you’re implementing new software solutions (like MagicBooking perhaps) or developing innovative ways to manage your services, you may qualify for this type of credit. To apply, you must demonstrate that your activities involve technological or scientific advancements. Consulting with a tax advisor or R&D specialist can help determine if your project qualifies.
• Capital Allowances: If you're investing in the physical infrastructure of your wraparound care facility - such as purchasing new equipment, improving your premises, or making renovations to accommodate more children - Capital Allowances may be available. These allowances allow you to deduct a percentage of the cost of these assets from your taxable profits, reducing your overall tax liability.
• Charitable Reliefs: If your wraparound care is provided by a charity or a not-for-profit organisation, you may be eligible for various charitable tax reliefs, including exemptions on business rates, VAT reductions, and tax breaks on surplus income reinvested into the service. To qualify, your organisation must meet specific charitable criteria, and it’s important to consult with a charity accountant to ensure eligibility.

To access these incentives and reliefs, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest offerings through government resources, local authority guidance, or professional tax advisors. These financial support options can help ease the burden of startup or expansion costs, allowing you to focus more on delivering high-quality wraparound care.

Remember, our system simplifies the admin, payment, bookings and communication side of things so that you can focus on childcare and business growth! 86% of our clients experienced a drop in stress levels with MagicBooking. Find out exactly how we can help you by booking a quick call or leaving us a message on our contact form.