Education & Training UK-wide

Register Holiday Clubs and Out-of-School Care

Ofsted registration requirements for holiday clubs, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and wraparound care. Covers when registration is required, exemptions, and compliance obligations.

Guide summary

If you run a holiday club, breakfast club, after-school club, or wraparound care for children aged 5–7, you must register with Ofsted on the Compulsory Childcare Register. Care for children aged 8 and over can be registered voluntarily. You do not need to register if sessions last 2 hours or less per day, or if your club is run by a school on its own premises for its own pupils. Operating without required registration can lead to prosecution and an unlimited fine.

  • Register with Ofsted if you care for children aged 5–7 for more than 2 hours per day
  • Register voluntarily on the Childcare Register for children aged 8 and over
  • Pay £103 application fee plus £103 annual fee for childminders and nannies
  • Pay £114 application fee plus £114 annual fee for clubs on other premises
  • Get an enhanced DBS check for all staff in contact with children
  • Keep at least one first-aider on site at all times
  • Check if you are exempt: sessions of 2 hours or less, school-run clubs, or short-term camps of 14 days or fewer per year
  • Operating without registration can lead to prosecution and unlimited fine
  • Notify Ofsted in writing at least 14 days before a short-term exempt camp
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Holiday clubs, breakfast clubs, and after-school clubs for children aged 5-7 must register with Ofsted on the Compulsory Childcare Register. Provision for children aged 8+ can register on the Voluntary Childcare Register.

However, there are important exemptions - particularly for school-run clubs - so it's essential to check whether registration applies to your provision before you start operating.

Registration requirements and exemptions

Why register voluntarily for 8+ provision?

Even if you only care for children aged 8 and over (where registration is voluntary), there are benefits to registering:

  • Tax-Free Childcare: Parents can only claim Tax-Free Childcare (up to £2,000 per child per year) if your club is Ofsted-registered
  • Quality assurance: Ofsted registration demonstrates your club meets national standards
  • Competitive advantage: Registered clubs may be more attractive to parents
  • Universal Credit childcare costs: Parents can claim help with registered childcare costs through Universal Credit (employer childcare voucher schemes closed to new entrants in October 2018 - Tax-Free Childcare replaced them)

Registration costs £103 application fee plus £103 per year for childminders and nannies, or £114 plus £114 per year for childcare on premises - the benefits often outweigh these costs.

Common registration questions

What if we only operate during school holidays?

You must register if you operate for more than 14 days in total per year. A two-week summer camp only (14 days or fewer) is exempt, provided you notify Ofsted in writing at least 14 days before the first day of provision. If you run multiple holiday camps throughout the year totalling more than 14 days (e.g., Easter, summer, October half-term), you must register.

What if we're a sports coaching company running an after-school club?

If your club provides wholly sport-focused coaching with no general childcare element, you may be exempt. However, if you provide general supervision, snacks, and play time alongside sport coaching, you must register. Contact Ofsted if unsure.

Can schools run breakfast and after-school clubs without registering?

Yes, if the school directly employs staff, manages the provision, operates on school premises, and serves only the school's registered pupils, the club is exempt. However, if a private company runs the club (even on school premises), it must register.

What about wraparound care at nurseries?

If you're already registered on the Early Years Register for under-5s provision, you may need to also register on the Compulsory Childcare Register if you care for 5-7 year olds (e.g., before/after school for school-age siblings). There is no extra fee - joining the Childcare Register alongside the Early Years Register is free.

Staff and safety requirements

Out-of-school clubs have the same core safety requirements as other childcare provision:

  • DBS checks: Enhanced DBS checks for all staff in regular contact with children
  • Paediatric First Aid: At least one person on site must have a valid 12-hour certificate
  • Safeguarding training: All staff must complete safeguarding training
  • Insurance: Appropriate insurance such as Public Liability (no statutory minimum - £5 million is typical) and Employer's Liability if employing staff (£5 million statutory minimum)
  • Qualifications: There are no statutory qualification quotas for Childcare Register provision - Level 2 for staff and Level 3 for managers is sector guidance only (EYFS qualification rules apply only to under-5 provision)

There are no statutory staff ratios for Childcare Register provision - the statutory floor is 1 adult to 30 children plus a first-aider on site. A 1:8 ratio for 5-7 year olds is common sector guidance, not a legal requirement. For children aged 8+, use risk assessment to determine appropriate supervision levels.