4Children Press Release 8th September 2004

Opening times for primary schools are set to change for ever over the next two years to provide extra activities for children and childcare for working parents according to major new research by national charity 4Children.

The ambition for all primary schools to open their doors from 8am to 6pm was set out in Government’s 5 Year education plan. Preliminary findings demonstrate that Government is winning the hearts and minds of schools for this major overhaul, whilst almost half of all primary schools think that they are likely to be providing an extended school within the next two years.

However, whilst the will to embrace the change is there, schools did identify some key concerns that could hold them back: lack of suitable premises, staffing to run the extended period and money to fund it.

The report shows that positive moves are being made by many schools to embrace the extended schools concept. A third of schools have an after school club in school with a further third of all primary schools offering some kind of extended activity beyond learning support. However a third of all primary schools offer no childcare whatsoever on their premises meaning that many schools still stand empty beyond the formal day. Meanwhile demand from parents and children is high – the report showed that waiting lists for childcare and extra activities in schools are 76 per cent over subscribed, showing a clear demand for more to be done.

Anne Longfield, Chief Executive, 4Children said: “The demand from parents and children to extend the opening times of primary schools is overwhelming. Children want more opportunities to take part in activities and parents need childcare to enable them to work. For the first time, this research shows a major shift from schools themselves, responding to Government plans and encouragement.”

However the charity warned that more intervention and investment from Government will be needed to make it happen.

“Government has recognised the importance of investment in early years through its billion pound programme to develop Children’s Centres. It now needs to recognise the importance of sustaining that investment in children as they move through school. The awaited Government 10 year plan for childcare must include significant investment in childcare for school age children in and around school. Without this, the identified barriers of lack of premises, staffing and ongoing funds will remain insurmountable and a major opportunity to provide childcare for all will be lost.” said Anne Longfield.

This, and many other issues surrounding childhood in the 21st century in this country, are being debated at this Wednesday’s Every Childhood Matters conference. This national conference run by childcare charity 4Children will discuss the issues that define the concept of a happy and healthy childhood, the solutions, Government’s role and intervention for vulnerable children.

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