Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to provide additional (a) pre and (b) after school services to support working parents when schools reopen in the autumn term.

As of 4 July, all organisations offering wraparound care or other out-of-school activities to children (including holiday clubs) have been able to open for both indoor and outdoor provision, provided they are able to follow the Government’s protective measures guidance.

Those offering out-of-school activities to children (including holding clubs) should follow the following protective measures guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings.

Schools should consider resuming any breakfast and after-school provision, where possible, from the start of the autumn term. Schools should carefully consider how they can make such provision work alongside their wider protective measures, including keeping children within their year groups or bubbles where possible.

We will provide further guidance closer to the time on the protective measures people should put in place to ensure they can continue to operate safely when all pupils return to schools in the autumn.