Out of School Childcare Club of the Year: A Setting that embodies the Playwork Principles and that is an excellent example of the benefit of quality play and childcare for children, families and communities.

Below are anonymised nominations for the shortlisted Out of School Clubs.

Please read the descriptions below and cast your vote for the winner here.

“My child really loves it there, always tells me they had a great time. The staff genuinely care and it shows.”

“Exceptional place where the club and staff go above and beyond to keep children safe and entertained with quality play after school, so parents continue to work.”

“They provide exceptional care in their After School Club sessions and during their Holiday Club. They are Inclusive and supportive, putting an emphasis on the needs and voice of the children.”

“Wonderful environment for children to attend, learn and play. Lots of varied activities to take part in, in a safe and happy area. Staff are so friendly, knowledgeable and understanding and go the extra mile to support and encourage the children.”

“They have been absolutely excellent with my son, who has a diagnosis of autism and very limited verbal communication. He loves going there and the club has managed to build a great rapport with him and understanding of his needs despite only caring for him during school holidays.”

“They provide exceptional childcare to the local community, as well as assisted places for those parents and carers who need to work. They also provide a school wraparound service which is vital due to restrictive school hours. The level of care provided by the setting is outstanding and the staff are highly trained, friendly and welcoming.”

“Club 1 is just a perfect place for children to play. It’s inclusive, safe, multi lingual, and the staff make the children feel so at home.”

“Club 1 is the place where children want to be, whether its playgroup/wraparound, after school or holiday clubs. Children love it, which is proved by the numbers attending and the fact there is a waiting list for places. This is all down to the dedicated hard work of the staff.”

“They always go above and beyond to make the kids have an enjoyable after school session when they might be tired. They always do lots of lovely crafts & in the summer they had an outside company come in with lots of wild animals, which my children loved.”

“They’ve been amazing and so accommodating to my needs for childcare for my child. They provide great services, care and support for children all ages and cater to each individual need. I’m so happy with the club and couldn’t recommend enough.”

“The club and all staff provide a safe, fun, kind environment for my son. The activities and learning they provide are excellent. My son loves attending. The club provides fun activities both promoting Welsh and English language. Communications are excellent with parents/ carers. It is a safe and healthy environment where my son thrives.”

“They put the children’s play at the centre of all they do. They have shown genuine care, interest and enjoyment in getting to know my son. They offer a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment in which he loves to attend.”

“Range of activities is excellent, all the play workers are excellent and seem to genuinely enjoy the children, getting the children involved with building their areas and having a say.”

“As a registered After School Club, Club 2 provides a service that allows children to play and socialise in a safe, secure, happy, caring and homely environment. All children regardless of gender, race, ability or beliefs are welcomed. Club 2 endeavour to meet the individual needs of all the children who attend the club and will adapt activities, play opportunities and routines to cater for their needs. Play is at the centre of the children’s time at the club and is equipped with a wide range of suitable materials to offer valuable play experiences for all ages that promote the play agenda and support the Playwork Principles. For example there are themed art and craft activities, messy and sensory play, construction toys and materials, role play, pool table and quiet area for the children to relax. We hold regular children’s meetings to gain feedback from their time at the club and obtain ideas for how we can improve. We also have a suggestion box that the children can frequently add the ideas to and a happy thoughts box to which the children can add any worries or happy thoughts that they may be experiencing or experienced. We are very proud of where we live, our heritage and our language and we encourage and promote the use of Welsh throughout our sessions; we are also very proud to have received our Bronze and Silver Welsh promise awards.”

“Club 2 is a place where children can truly thrive in a caring, fun, and creative environment. The staff are dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming space where every child feels valued and supported. With a mix of exciting activities, from arts and crafts to games and outdoor play, children have the freedom to explore their creativity and make lasting friendships. The club fosters an atmosphere of inclusion, where each child’s unique interests and talents are celebrated, making it a joyful and enriching experience for all involved. They promote the Welsh language and culture on a daily basis.”

“The team work really hard to ensure that the children love going to after-school club and that everyone is included and feels happy and safe.”

“Club 2 is a fantastic setting where the activities set are fun, interesting and topical. The children love all of the activities, the routine, the freedom to chose what to play with after school. The children see it as a home from home environment. Superb!”

“Club 3 are a friendly, resourceful and continually developing childcare setting in the heart of a small village. Being situated in the highest school in Wales it is important to embrace the community, encourage children to be themselves and to support their interests. Children are inspired to freely choose the activities they wish to do, to use their time with us to relax and read while have access to the outdoor area even in the 3ft of snow that they have regularly! The children have built up strong bonds with each other and the staff and it’s safe to say that the children make the club a happy, loving and welcoming place to be!”

“Words aren’t enough to say how amazing the setting is. My little boy is 5 and he’s been going to holiday club during the school holidays and staff training days. He’s under CAMHS for potential autism and eating disorder and the staff have always looked after him with such compassion and never limit him to activities and let him choose the pace. We would be lost without the holiday club and we are already counting down till our daughter can join too.”

“Club 3 strive to ensure all staff are qualified and trained appropriately in all areas of their development. Staff are given the opportunity and time to complete any additional training of their choice and are happy to develop their knowledge and skill base for the benefit to the children and for the best practice at the club.”

“Club 3 strive to always improve their practice, ensure all Individual needs are met, and providing inclusiveness to all. They  value how important it is to have the support of the parents and families and they continually provide updates of the children learning, playing and having fun with their friends.”

“The reason we chose Club 4 for our children is not just because of the service they provide being so useful, but actually because it just seemed like such FUN  (1. impulse to play). Even after a full, tiring day at school, my children are thrilled to go to club  as they have made so many friends from different schools of various ages and are constantly provided with a variety of different stimulating activities to suit their interests and their current moods (2. ‘personally directed’). The staff are always involved in activities and in particular the game-playing time. It would be easy for staff members to simply supervise or direct games, but the fact that the adults get down on the same level as the children (8. ‘intervention styles and balancing risk’, and 4. ‘advocates for play’, and 7 ‘recognising own impact’) and immerse themselves into the play, making it all the more fun. This also benefits children who may otherwise be more timid by giving them a supportive ally in their play. Even on days where I finish work slightly early, my children have given me strict orders not to collect them until closing time, because they have so much fun at the club.  And on my side, I would be lost as a working parent without the service, so it’s great that I do not have to feel any guilt using a childcare service which works for me but benefits them so much too.”

“My son attends and absolutely loves both wrap around and afterschool.”

“My son has come here since a very young age and attends a Welsh language school so it is amazing that this club can speak Welsh with him. The care they provide is amazing too. Thank you!”

As noted in the CIW inspection report: They have a strong vision for the future and ensure staff have ongoing opportunities to develop professionally. They are passionate about ensuring they offer very high quality care. They have developed strong relationships across the community and provide opportunities for a variety of guest speakers to visit the setting along with organising events for parents and their children. As Play is at the heart of everything Club 5 do they have even developed their own Play-a-gogy Lead recently which will further enhance the development of play opportunities. Club 5 are constantly looking at ways to improve their environment, one example is the ‘Cwtch Ceiro Project’. Staff are given every opportunity to develop and attend relevant training which will further enhance their skills. One example of this is following Ben Kingston Hughes’s training – A very unusual journey into play.”

“Club 5 identifies its most valuable resource is the staff. The Manager ensures that every member of the team are valued within the service. They have an opportunity to celebrate and share achievements together. They have events to support wellbeing for the staff from Yoga to outings, fundraising etc. An annual staff awards service is held where parents are asked to provide feedback for the event. The last CIW inspection report for Club 5 highlighted how children enjoy making decisions as they take part in activities. There is a very happy feel to each area of the setting, and it is clear that the children feel safe and content. Staff said the setting is a very happy place to work and that they work well together as a team. Staff commented they feel valued and are well supported by the management team, enabling them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities effectively and confidently. Staff described their leaders as approachable, supportive and kind and this was further evidenced in written feedback which was shared during their annual staff award celebration. Ensuring the wellbeing of the staff and children who attend are key to the success of this setting as they strive to ensure the best service possible for all involved.”

Cast your vote for the winner here.