Scottish Out of School Care Network

Internet & email

2011-06-17T05:28:00.000-07:00

For the past few days we have been experiencing problems with our internet connection and email, this is currently unresolved- we are not ignoring you! Please contact SOSCN by telephone until the matter is resolved: 0141 564 1284.

Gold Award for Loanhead After School Care

2011-04-28T03:05:00.000-07:00

Loanhead After School Care (LASC) has become the first after school club in Scotland to gain the Healthy Working Lives gold award. The club has been participating in the scheme for 6 years and Irene Hogg, general manager of LASC said,

"We are delighted to have achieved the HWL gold award. Our organisation believes investing in our staff's well-being is vital to our success, as they are our most important asset."

"We have worked our way through the scheme by achieving our bronze and sliver awards, and to now finally gain the gold is a tremendous achievement for a small organisation like ours, who are the first after school club in Scotland to gain this accolade."

Congratulations to LASC for this fantastic achievement.

Further information: Healthy Working Lives

Election Time- May 2011

2011-04-20T02:28:00.000-07:00

Ask local MSP candidates how they pledge to support out of school care

We encourage you to use the Benefits of Out of School Care film and manifesto locally to remind your prospective MSPs about the value of out of school care. You could organise a local event to invite candidates, show the film and use the manifesto as a starting point for discussion. You might want to do this with your local OSC forum or network, if you have one, or gather together services in one area to organise it, if you do not.

If you organise a local “hustings” event you must make sure to invite candidates from all political parties and give everyone the same time to put forward their views and take questions. It should not turn into an event for one party alone. Since a lot of these events need advance timing you would need to work quickly to get a venue, publicity and of course, to ensure your local candidates can attend before the election. You are also welcome to take copies of the SOSCN manifesto to other hustings events already organised in your area.

Even if you cannot organise an event you can find out the name of contact details of your local candidates and email or write to them, sending the links with our film and manifesto and ask them to give you, as their constituents, information on their plans to support out of school care in your area.

Do please copy their replies to us, if you can. Neither activity will take much time, but both would really help in ensuring we all keep out of school care on the
map. With cuts across the board it is vital everyone plays their part, however small, in making the case for our services. Remember of course, this is not party political activity, but taking the opportunity to find out all candidates views on school age childcare locally.

Even after the election, once you know who has been appointed as your list MSP and your regional MSP, you could contact them with the SOSCN materials and information on your own service to arrange a visit (when you could show the film).

The most powerful people for influencing prospective MSPs are you; the local services, parents, children, staff and volunteers. The short film is not only useful in this way but as a promotional tool, in the future, at other events, conferences, and parents’ evenings and such like; basically anywhere you are promoting, explaining or marketing school age childcare. So please do download and use it wherever you can.

FIND YOUR LOCAL ELECTION CANDIDATES
www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/overview/html/scotland.stm

Benefits of Out of School Care Video

2011-03-16T01:20:00.000-07:00

In December last year, Irene decided that SOSCN should make a video asking children, staff and parents about the benefits of out of school care. Despite having very limited experience and nothing other than a borrowed cheap home video camera Finlay and I visited 2 clubs: JOSS in Glasgow and SCOOSH in Edinburgh, and we took over four hours-worth of footage. Somehow I managed to edit this into a 13 minute video which is available below, unfortunately there was a lot of excellent footage that we just couldn't fit in this time round.

This video was made with few financial resources; the largest expense was probably two return train tickets to Edinburgh. It is hoped that you not only enjoy this video but that you also use it to promote out of school care in your local area to parents, teachers, local authorities, MSPs, MPs...everyone!

Enjoy

Andrew

Joining the dots

2011-03-09T02:14:00.000-08:00

Joining the dots: A better start for Scotland’s Children.
An Independent Reportby Prof Susan Deacon of University of Edinburgh

An independent report focusing on children and the early years in Scotland and written by Professor Susan Deacon of the University of Edinburgh, was launched on 2nd of March 2010. The report entitled “Joining the dots: A better start for Scotland’s Children” is a “report about children’s Early Years - why they matter and how we can improve them... It is about the kind of Scotland we want to live in. The kind of society we are and aspire to be.“

Joining the Dots (pdf)

Joint press release- Children in Scotland & SOSCN

2011-02-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Anticipating the cost
Budget could spell hope – or heartache – for Scottish children and families
10/02/2011

As MSPs prepare to vote on the SNP government’s £33bn spending plans in the Scottish Parliament today, Children in Scotland is urging all political parties to make meeting the needs of families a key priority, with accessible childcare and joined up children’s services top of the list.

Following the November 2010 Spending Review agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA to support the implementation of the Early Years Framework, the children’s organisation hopes that today’s final Budget negotiations don’t leave arents in Scotland continuing to face the current triple whammy of higher childcare costs than the rest of Britain, falling numbers of preschool centres coinciding with a rising birth rate, and a reduction in the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, which was starkly highlighted in their newly-published survey of childcare costs.

Children in Scotland, in association with the Scottish Out of School Network (SOSCN)'s report The costs of childcare in Scotland, published yesterday, revealed that while the number of registered childcare centres and the number of centres providing preschool education has gone down by over 3% in the last three years, the number of children under 5 has risen by approximately 5%.

The figures highlight the problems surrounding implementation of the Framework, and point to the need for more resources and greater priority to be accorded to the support of services at a time when the birth rate is rising. They also make worrying news for parents, who are already dealing with other aspects of the economic downturn.

The report, which brings together information from service providers across Scotland and places the cost of childcare in the context of access to services, highlights inconsistencies with costs and charging structures across the country, with costs per week for 25 hours care ranging from £58 to £107 in private and local authority nurseries, and £80 to £110 for childminders. Rural areas mostly offer cheaper prices, but fewer choices. Parents of children with disabilities have least choice of services, with 48% not offered a choice for their child. The figures are backed by recent findings from the Daycare Trust, which show Scottish childcare to be the most expensive in Britain.

Children in Scotland’s chief executive Bronwen Cohen said: “With today’s final Budget debate, it is vital that adequate provision is made for accessible and affordable childcare, and to address the unhelpful split that exists between the way childcare and early education are funded.”

“Childcare costs and access issues contribute directly to the high levels of child poverty in Scotland, with nearly half of all children and young people living in poverty aged under 5. Affordable, strong early years provision that is accessible to all families is crucial not only in combating child poverty, but also for supporting parents, and encouraging economic recovery.”

Irene Audain Chief Executive of The Scottish Out of School Care Network agrees: "It s essential both for childrenʼs wellbeing, and the national economy, that non-statutory childcare services are protected, so we are calling for the budget to include measures to sustain and protect these in Scotland."

"While some services, including some out of school care, are surviving on parental fees, others need subsidies to support children with disabilities, or those living in poor or rural areas. This leaves them extremely vulnerable to cuts in local government funding, which could lead to service closures, and parents without access to the childcare that is vital to them remaining part of the workforce.”

Children in Scotland’s Policy Development Manager Sarah Burton said: “The high costs of childcare in Scotland shown in our survey are a cause for concern, particularly in the current economic climate where children’s services are vulnerable to cuts. Parents are facing a postcode lottery in costs and charging structures, with less access to tax credits and support. Access to services is likely to worsen as the population of under 5s rises.”

The costs of childcare in Scotland: a special report brings together data from local authorities, a survey of private nurseries, and published and unpublished data from other organisations. It is available free to members of Children in Scotland. For further information: www.childreninscotland.org.uk

From April the childcare element of Working Tax Credit will cover only 70% of childcare costs for low income working families rather than the current 80%.

Transition from Care Commission to SCSWIS - April 2011

2011-01-20T00:32:00.000-08:00

On the 1st April 2011 SCSWIS will come into being as the new regulatory body for out of school care, in place of the Care Commission.

We have been informed that services' current registration with the Care Commission will be automatically transferred to the new body, and any service currently undergoing registration and not finished by the Care Commission will be completed by SCSWIS. All IT services should also be transferred over from the old to new regulatory body meaning that all data held in the annual return should be saved, so when services have to complete the return under SCSWIS, it should just be a case of updating information.

With regard to inspections, there will be a reduced frequency for out of school care services which are seen to be low-risk: scoring 4 or above in quality themes. For such services, there will be an inspection once every 36 months (3 years). For those not on level 4 or above, then there will be an inspection once every 12 months.

Importance of handwashing

2011-01-12T03:52:00.000-08:00

Today the Scottish Government launched a campaign to remind people of the importance of handwashing in helping prevent the spread of infectious illness such as flu.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon today visited pupils at Edinburgh’s Preston Street Primary where she took part in a hand washing demonstration led by Mary Biscare, a member of NHS Lothian’s hand hygiene team.

Services for children were today reminded of the availability of the Scottish Government’s National Hand Hygiene Campaign Children’s pack. The pack is intended to help encourage young children to develop a lifelong habit of regular hand washing.

In addition the pack also contains information for children on the proper use of tissues and the importance of covering coughs and sneezes.

Education authorities have already been contacted by Scottish Government officials offering advice on seasonal flu and the new term.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“For the majority of healthy people, seasonal flu is an unpleasant but short-lived illness from which they make a full recovery. However for those at risk, contracting flu can have serious or even fatal consequences.

“That is why even seemingly simple things like practising good hand hygiene are so important. We are reinforcing this by reminding schools and nurseries that the online resource pack is available to them to use with pupils in the ongoing bid to keep seasonal flu at bay.

“Flu-like illnesses in Scotland remain at the levels normally expected at this time of year however we must remain vigilant. In addition there is no better protection for those in the at risk groups than vaccination and I continue to urge those eligible to come forward and get their jab."

Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns said:

“As children return to school across the country it is vital that they understand the importance of covering their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, putting the tissue in the bin and then thoroughly washing their hands.

“We are currently experiencing a normal seasonal flu outbreak and there is no need for alarm but parents should remain vigilant and good hand hygiene is one of the most basic ways to protect both themselves and their child.”

SOSCN has promoted the handwashing pack in the past and we would encourage all out of school care services to access the information:

Hand Hygiene Children's Pack

People who are worried about flu like symptoms should contact their GP for advice or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

Cut in childcare subsidies will have knock-on effect of creating even more unemployment

2011-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Letter published: The Herald newspaper, Thursday 30th December 2010

The current subsidies for childcare not only enable low income families, especially lone parents, to work but they also help keep much needed, but struggling financially, childcare services operating (“Childcare cuts are a false economy”, The Herald, December 29). Across the country, services for school-age children are already dealing with cuts in any direct subsidies from local government as there is no statutory duty to fund them. It took many years to build up the supply of more than 1,000 out-of-school care services in Scotland, services parents and children rely on, and which provide, as well as enable, much-needed employment.

If there is a reduction in the pool of parents able to pay for the services through tax credits, then we will face closures of the small businesses which provide childcare, which then will affect the ability of all parents who rely on childcare to stay in employment. So, at the same time as expecting any parents on benefits to go on to Jobseekers Allowance when their child is five and therefore be expected to find a job, the UK government is creating a situation where it is impossible for them to do so, by reducing access to childcare services. The knock-on effects will create even more unemployment; directly through staff in childcare services losing their jobs, and indirectly through parents no longer having access to stable childcare, in order that they can get out to work.

The Scottish Government’s Early Years Framework and anti-poverty strategy must be harnessed to ensure that we protect these services, so that parents, children and communities do not suffer even more through the UK government’s short-sighted “slash and burn” of essential subsidies to working families, which will put even more children into poverty.

Irene Audain, Glasgow.

Failing Childcare Services in Scotland

2011-01-06T02:02:00.000-08:00

In today's Glasgow Herald 3 articles focus on the Care Commission's failure to close failing childcare services; mostly the focus is on all-day care nurseries and childminders, although one out of school care is mentioned.

Failing childcare services in Scotland - Glasgow Herald (6/01/2011)

In response to these articles SOSCN would like to make it clear that we believe that it is the right of every child to access quality childcare, and out of school care in particular, and that it is the responsibility of childcare and support staff to ensure that this is achieved. The safety, health and well-being of children is the first and main concern of any childcare service.

SOSCN is not a provider of childcare but we are committed to supporting the development and sustainability of high quality out of school care through appropriate staff qualifications, training and Aiming High Scotland, our quality assurance scheme for out of school care services.

SOSCN believes services which are categorised by the Care Commission as being "weak or unsatisfactory" across the board and which do not demonstrate an immediate improvement should be closed temporarily until such improvements are met, or closed permanently if they are not. Children and young people should not be put at risk. Parents and carers need to have confidence that the care in which they are leaving their children is a safe and positive environment.

Although quality is not necessarily dependent on financial resources it is key to accessing qualifications, training, improvements to premises etc and quality assurance schemes.

Once again we highlight the need for financial resources to be committed from national and local government to out of school care services staff to gain the appropriate qualifications as required by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and access appropriate and ongoing training. Additional financial support should also be available to help sustain vulnerable services in areas of economic deprivation, rural areas and services providing care for children with additional support needs.

SOSCN's Response to Scottish Government Budget

2010-11-18T02:18:00.000-08:00

Although yesterday's budget is perceived to be all doom and gloom, there was a ray of hope: the government announced an additional investment of £5 million to support voluntary sector early years services, which of course includes out of school care.

Irene Audain, SOSCN Chief Executive said, " I welcome the announcement of a further investment of £5 million to support third sector organisations delivering early years services, although, I await the finer details of this.

Of the 1000+ out of school care services in Scotland over half are third sector organisations,many of whom are struggling in this financial climate, without statutory duties on councils to support them; either in direct funding or infrastructure support.

In terms of further capital investment in the schools estate, this may be a golden opportunity to ensure that new or refurbished schools have plans built in to ensure that there is(free or low costs) space for the delivery of the complementary service school age childcare provides for children, parents, school and community.

School age childcare services are doubly important in tough financial times,first as a lifeline for parents struggling to stay employed, and we also need to think about supporting more places, for vulnerable children, affected by poverty or disability, as the wider UK welfare cuts may impact heavily on their families."

SPENDING REVIEW MAKES CHILDREN PAY TODAY TO PROTECT WEALTHY TOMORROW

2010-10-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

SOSCN is a member of the Campaign to END CHILD POVERTY and fully supports the comments below.

SPENDING REVIEW MAKES CHILDREN PAY TODAY TO PROTECT WEALTHY TOMORROW

20 October 2010

Commenting on the Spending Review, Rhian Beynon, spokesperson for the End Child Poverty Campaign of more than 150 member organisations, said:

"The compensating measures don't go nearly far enough to stop this being a dark day for any family struggling to stay out of poverty, or deep in it already and fearing things will get worse still. With a Child Tax Credit increase worth just 58p more a week next year, the poorest children have less than the price of a loaf of bread to compensate.

"The cuts to benefits now total over £18 billion, with the main part focussed on cuts to support for families. Cuts to support for childcare costs and a freeze for Sure Start services will harm families too and make it harder for them to get and keep paid work.

"We accept the importance of reducing the deficit, but we don't accept the approach chosen. Claims that the wealthiest carry the biggest burden and measured child poverty will not increase did not stand up to independent scrutiny in the emergency budget and we do not accept the claims to survive scrutiny this time either .The Spending Review will almost certainly increase child poverty and increase the economic costs faced by any society with high levels of poverty, inequality and social exclusion.

"The promise of fairness has not been met. While unprecedented cuts to essential support and services are rushed through, the review fails the challenge of saving the tens of billions lost on tax evasion and does not ask the wealthiest to make a full and fair tax contribution. A fairer ratio of cuts to tax rises along with a reduction timetable recognising the risks to jobs and growth in our fragile recovering economy would have met the fairness test. The resulting message is: 'children must pay today to protect the wealthy tomorrow'."

2010-10-13T03:05:00.000-07:00

MAKING SPACE 2010 – OUT OF SCHOOL CARE CLUB WINS COMMENDATION IN INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AWARD

Photo – Irene Audain – CE, SOSCN and member of the Making Space Advisory Panel; Laurence Williams, Director, Hyndland ASC; Jason Brown, Architect for the entry; Fiona Ansdell, Manager, Hyndland ASC; Mike Russell, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and Zia Hug, Structural Engineer for the entry. (Photo: A Mackin)

MAKING SPACE 2010

With the support of the Scottish Government, Architecture+Design Scotland, the OECD Centre for Effective Learning Environments, Eurochild, and Children in Europe, this award and the international conference showcased great examples of well designed places for young people. See Children In Scotland Press release at the end of this blog.

Hyndland After School Club (Commended Award - winner for Scotland)

Hyndland after school club are in the news again, as they took the time to enter the MAKING SPACE 2010 Architectural Award. Imagine their surprise when they realised they had won an award in a competition which had entries from a wide range of countries and of a very high standard. SOSCN is doubly pleased as this is the first time an out of school care has won an award in this competition.

Congratulations to all at Hyndland After School Care Club, Jason Brown, the architect from Abbozzo and Zia Hug, the structural engineer from Hug and Santiago, for their Commended Award in Making Space 2010 on Thursday 7th October 2010. This award is for the innovative, bright and colourful mezzanine floors and constructions they worked hard to create for the “Aftie”. The Cabinet Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning; Mike Russell presented the awards and is seen in the above photo, congratulating the group.

It is clear that the children were involved in the project and the resulting low cost, bright and imaginative additional space to play and work are appreciated by all of the club users. SOSCN is delighted that a school age childcare service has won an award in this competition as we are committed to supporting environmentally and socially supportive spaces for children, and, of course, we know the challenges every school age service faces in trying to achieve this.

See photos here of the Hyndland Mezzanine designs:

Hyndland Photos 1

Hyndland Photos 2

For more information about the “Aftie”, as it is affectionately known by the children, go to: www.hyndlandasc.org.uk

Overall Winner
Entrant: TYIN Tegnestue, Norway

SOSCN also congratulates all of the entries and to all the partners involved in Making Space 2010, as well as Children in Scotland for organising the award and conference. All of the shortlisted entries were fantastic and the overall winner was absolutely outstanding. Please use this link below to see the library, and children’s houses they built in Thailand.

www.tyintegnestue.no

Name of Building/Space: Library and two residential houses
Country: Thailand
Type of Building/Space: Library and two residential houses
Description: TYIN Tegnestue is a non-profit organisation working Humanitarian aid through architecture. TYIN is run by five architect students from NTNU and the projects are financed by more than 60 Norwegian companies, as well as private contributions.

Hazelwood School (Shortlisted)

Irene Audain visited Hazelwood School on Thursday 7th October, this was one of the 25 shortlisted entries and has already won numerous other awards.

This school caters for children and young people with multiple sensory impairments and highly complex needs. The design of the building, including walls, floors, lighting, ventilation and outside classroom and leisure space is geared to developing independence and supporting transitional skills. It is a curving building, with a wide, welcoming, open, bright, meeting space at the reception area, but it also gives a sense of enclosure and safety.

Clever use is made of natural light, timber and slate materials which will age and blend into the surrounding landscape of trees and semi wild greenery. While I was there, leaves were blowing off the trees and landing on part of the glass roof (at one end of the building), creating a direct awareness of the weather and the season, not always available in institutional buildings.

Every classroom ensured privacy for the pupils and staff, with natural walls in strong blocks of colours built up just beyond adult height; but with cutaway windows, high glass panels and high windows to ensure natural light. Each room had its own doorway to an outside working and relaxing area (thus linking inside/outside as the children’s learning and also “breathing" space).

Grooves in the inside wall of natural wood, and on the floor, all along the length of the building, are used by visually impaired children to track their space, and grooves in the floor entrance areas to classrooms also provided additional signs to aid identification of the right room. From the public corridor space to the quieter classroom spaces there are acoustical changes, created with lowered ceilings; this also helps in identifying a transition from one type of space to another and in providing clearer acoustics for children with hearing and sight loss.

Children and young people who attend Hazelwood School are there to learn holistic life skills; thus combining attributes of both what we would see as formal school and informal out of school care for children and young people. There is also a large emphasis on the community being involved with the school and the children with the community, such as using the nearby park, gym and sports facilities. This is again part of the whole independence and integration ethos of the school; to help each child or young person develop to the maximum of their abilities in an environment which adds to the quality of their lives.

Hazelwood Photo

Hazelwood School

CHILDREN IN SCOTLAND PRESS RELEASE 12/10/2010

(We (SOSCN) have emphasised in italics below comments about Hyndland.)

International design award and event celebrates space for young people
Scotland’s role in promoting architectural advancement was spotlighted at an international conference and awards ceremony in Edinburgh last night, marking the glittering finale to Childrenin Scotland’s year-long ‘Making Space 2010’ programme, championing innovative architecture and the creation of inspiring spaces for young people and communities. A highlight of the two-day event was the official dinner, where the winner of the Making Space 2010 Architecture Award was announced by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell.

The overall award was won by Min Buri Old Market Library, Soe Ker Tie House and Safe Haven Orphanage Thailand, designed by architects TYIN Tegnestue, Norway. The project was commended for its ‘completely child-centred approach’, which the judges felt ‘met the needs of a child within a social and cultural context’, while also displaying ‘architectural qualities [which] are outstanding’. The building was felt to show an ‘innovative and imaginative use of simple materials’ and focused attention on the value of community and intergenerational working, as well as on the power of education. Summing up their decision, the judging team said: “[The project] shows innovative ways of giving the inhabitants some basic services but also drives home the importance that education plays, and provides a focus for the community that is hoped will build passion in the neighbourhood that eventually can contribute to a positive development in the area.”

With a shortlist which also included a revolutionary ‘Transportable Classroom’ from Mali, ‘The Puckelball Pitch’, an interactive art project from Sweden which represents the frequently unfair and unequal ‘playground of life’, and innovative entries from Scotland, all eyes were on Edinburgh as the design agenda for the future was unveiled.

Other commended entries included Punkaharju Day Care Centre, Punkaharju, Finland, which the judges praised for its ‘simple, clear and sensitive design’, which, crucially, is ‘adaptable to the age of the pupils’. The Centre is also sensitive to its environment, noted for its ‘fit to landscape andenvironment’. Overall it was viewed as ‘simple, responsive, flexible, well-integrated, small-scale,child-friendly and sustainable’.

The Scottish award was won by Hyndland After School Club, Partick, Glasgow, which provides out of school care for children aged between 5 and 12 years, allowing thier parents to work without facing issues of childcare. Their premises are located within Hyndland Primary school grounds, utilising a refurbished dining hall. which allows for greater flexibiity in their service. This entry impressed with its "low cost imaginative and innovative use of old premises, and a very ordinary space", which should remind cash strapped Councils that developing curricular innovation and supporting workforce change in Scotland does not require large scale spending.

The conference itself brought together a range of international experts to examine issues related to children and space, from aspects of how children and young people relate to their environment and its impact on their development, to what makes a good learning environment and what elements need special focus in the future.

Chaired by Seona Reid, Director, Glasgow School of Art, the two-day event also heard from Scottish architects including Sam Cassels, Design Advisor (Schools), Architecture+DesignScotland, alongside other UK and international design experts, and included an opportunity for delegates to join study visits to inspiring and innovative new buildings and projects in Central Scotland and to hear from those directly involved in their design and planning.Michael Russell is in no doubt that Scotland is uniquely placed to host such a design showcase.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Cabinet Secretary said: “Making Space 2010 has offered an arena for us to share ideas the future of Scotland’s schools and to gather examples of the best school design from around the world; it has made an important contribution to ensuring Scotland leads the field in innovative and progressive school design.”

For further information on the conference, about the award winners, or for images, contact Lynn Gilmour: lgilmour@childreninscotland.org.uk.

The Danish Experience

2010-09-23T02:19:00.000-07:00

Two SOSCN members from Glasgow, Beverley Anderson (Broomhill Out of School Care Association) and Fiona Ansdell (Hyndland After School Club), graduated this summer from the University of Glasgow with the BA in Childhood Practice. As part of the course, Beverley and Fiona chose to undertake a practice placement visit to Holstebro, Denmark in late 2009 to see the delivery of after school care services and kindergartens.

Within Denmark out of school care services are referred to as “fritidshjem” (free time home) and staffed by pedagogues (degree-level qualified staff in Pedagogy [social education]). The Danish government has a duty to provide high-quality childcare; hence a high level of financial support and other resources.
For a number of years, SOSCN has organised placements for Danish Pedagogy students, some of whom have worked within Hyndland. If you would like to register your interest in having a Danish pedagogue student, please contact SOSCN.

Reflection on Danish Out of School Care Services
Beverley Anderson
Fiona Ansdell

In Denmark day-care facilities must be available to all children, and the government has assumed the cost of subsidizing a high-quality, comprehensive child-care system for infants and children from 6 months to 7 years of age, as well as an extensive after-school child-care system for school-age children.

Children requiring after school care (which can be around 90% in some areas) will go to a public after-school centre for 6-9 year-old children or a school based recreation scheme for the same age group. The local authorities must also provide the necessary club and other socio-educational leisure time facilities for children and young people from the age of 10. The local authorities are required to draw up aims and frameworks for club activities, in order to provide a variety of good stimulating leisure-time facilities. Children participate in, amongst other things, woodworking, building fires, baking bread and pizzas over open fires and looking after animals.

All facilities have a manager and deputy-manager, both of whom must be qualified pedagogues. The establishments we visited also had unqualified assistants. The staff do not have to worry about cleaning or cooking or providing snacks: chefs and cleaners are employed, and in most after school clubs parents provide food.
We found, when visiting the various after school clubs in Denmark, that the take up was considerable as schools finish at lunch time and parents typically work until four or 5pm. Furthermore, women make up nearly half the total workforce – the participation rate for women of working age is 87.5%.

Our first impression was one of amazement. The premises, outdoor areas and equipment were all far superior to what we are used to. The acceptance of after school provision being part of the education system, and the after school workers being part of the education team was very evident as was the importance of the social education provided.

At the first after school club we visited the manager shared an office with the deputy head of school. Pedagogues and teachers had joint weekly meetings and shared individual daily ‘hand-over’ meetings. We found this to be the norm.
Services are statutory and largely government funded. They are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Affairs which puts an equal responsibility on educational, social and care purposes. Parents pay approximately 30% of the costs directly to the government thus leaving the services free from the burden of fee collection. Their operational budget (from the government) was more than adequate and all the services we visited had a good range of quality equipment, resources and furnishings. All the establishments we visited were either purpose built or part of a school designed for children, with large, low windows, lots of natural light and large natural outdoor spaces. The interiors were designed to be homely with traditional Scandinavian furnishings unlike most of our schools with institutional furniture devoid of any soft furnishings. The after school cares (fritidshjem) certainly lived up to their name.

The high level of government funding results in play areas resembling adventure playgrounds with a vast array of go-karts, bikes, rope swings, climbing frames, pizza ovens, fire pits and tools for indoors and out use. We noted there was little discord between the children as they had an abundance of space and equipment, and little intervention was required by staff. Although many of the areas were un-fenced there seemed to be an ethos of trust which the pedagogues told us was established from a very early age. We witnessed this ourselves: the children could be out of sight in the playgrounds, in rooms on their own and still have access to knives, fires and tools. They climbed trees and raced in go-karts with limited supervision.

Comparisons between Glasgow and Holstebro are difficult as most of the establishments we visited were in fairly rural settings. One particular service, The Garden, caters for 3 – 10 year olds and is located in the countryside close to Holstebro with a garden, orchard, small farm, aviary and private forest cabin. Similarly to many Scottish out of school care services, it is run by a voluntary management committee. The parents’ input, which included physical help and donations of money, enabled the building of play houses, sheds, cart tracks and outdoor classrooms.

Visiting the Garden allowed us to examine the differences between local authority and independently run institutions. The children learned about all aspects of raising animals both for food and as pets. Animals were killed and cooked on the farm and eaten by the children, as were the eggs and fruits harvested from the orchard.
We wondered how many of our children would stay indoors playing computer games if the school playground had an all-equipped go-kart track, flying fox or BMX track?
In conclusion, we feel very fortunate in having been able to undertake our practice placement in Denmark. It was a rich and unforgettable experience which, although frustrating in that out of school care in Scotland does not receive the status and respect it has in Denmark, it nevertheless has left us feeling proud of what we have achieved in our settings and will inspire us to continue to raise our standards and continue to explore pedagogical practices.

Out and about

2010-05-18T03:37:00.000-07:00

Bellshill & Mossend Ymca Orbiston Centre - North Lanarkshire

Bellshill and Mossend After School Club are involved in a developmental initiative working in partnership with local schools, nurseries and North Lanarkshire Council, that aims to provide their local community and businesses with native plants and trees. The after school care are allocating an area of their grounds as an orchard where tress will be grown and then passed out to the community in an effort to maintain the natural biodiversity.

Loanhead After School Club - Midlothian

Loanhead After School Club has developed a pick-up service for vulnerable children that attend their breakfast club. This is a free service which allows the children to have a nourishing breakfast and take time out to complete and homework. The feedback from head teachers has been very positive and have highlighted that some children are becoming more settled and making improvements in their attention.

LASCCA Langside - Glasgow

Langside After School Club has recently set up a friendship corner for the children in order to promote new and different friendships and encourage communication. They have kindly sent on the picture below.

Play and risk

2010-02-16T04:48:00.000-08:00

"The importance of appropriate risk taking in children's development is crucial." Ronnie Hill, Care Commission

In the latest edition of Care News, the Care Commission's newsletter, there is an article clarifying the Care Commission's stance on risk and play.

In the article Ronnie Hill, Director of Children's Services Regulation, dispels the myths that the Care Commission is opposed to risk in play which is said to be creating a generation of 'cotton wool' kids. It is not a question of banning or discouraging what might be seen to be higher risk activities but ensuring that these activities are appropriately assessed and managed. The myths that the Care Commission prevents out of school care and other childcare providers from encouraging physical activities is simply untrue.

Ronnie said, "...those with responsibilities for caring for children and young people can't take a cavalier approach to their safety and well-being. So we need to strike a balance... All activities will have some degree of risk associated with them. What is important is that the service has thought carefully about the risks involved, considered best practice and guidance, consulted the children's parent, assessed that the risks are not unacceptable and planned to control and manage any risks."

Do you feel able and are you confident of undertaking risk assessments for "higher risk" activities?

One service which took children fishing asked the children to think about potential risks involved- the children identified "falling into the water", "getting 'hooked' in the face etc" as potential risks and were similar to those identified by staff. Together the staff and children assessed the activity and developed ways of minimising any potential risks; staff felt the children took more responsibility for themselves and hoped that should they go fishing wihout adult supervision they would have a greater awareness of how to manage the risks.

One of our blog entries from last July shows children toasting marshmallows over fire bowls during the school holidays- an enjoyable and safe activity for all showing that risks can, and should, be taken so long as they are well managed.

Childcare services registered with the Care Commission should receive copies of Care News, however the article can be downloaded from the Care Commission website.

Happy new year

2010-01-12T03:03:00.000-08:00

Hope 2010 is a successful and happy year for all. The diary is beginning to fill up for the next 12 months- this year we shall be increasing the number of mentoring sessions for Aiming High Scotland and we have a number of events either planned or being developed, information to follow.

Don't forget our Future Changes seminar on Tuesday 26th January in Glasgow- an opportunity to learn about and discuss the proposed changes to the Care Commission and help shape our manifesto for out of school care ahead of the UK general election later this year. Contact Finlay on 0141 564 1284 for further information or visit www.soscn.org .

Season's Greetings

2009-12-22T04:45:00.000-08:00

The Scottish Out of School Care Network wishes all its members a happy and safe festive season. Best wishes for 2010 and we look forward to working with you in the new year.

North Lanarkshire is Aiming High

2009-11-17T01:49:00.001-08:00

Yesterday SOSCN was invited to attend an out of school care development day hosted by North Lanarkshire Council. The council have invested financial resources and time in supporting out of school care services through Aiming High Scotland; as a result nearly all OSC services in the area have completed the award and some are even in the process of renewal. This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the hard work and commitment from OSC providers to deliver high quality services and ultimately quality experiences for children and young people.

SOSCN were delighted to be able to present North Lanarkshire council with the first Local Authority Aiming High Award in recognition of this achievement. A fantastic cake added to the celebration.

New Funding Available - ACT FAST!

2009-11-04T03:39:00.000-08:00

3rd Sector Resilience Fund

The Scottish Government has announced a new funding package, Third Sector Resilience Fund, to support voluntary sector services affected by the current recession. The fund opened on 30th October and will close on the 4th December 2009 - you must act fast to apply.

"The Third Sector Resilience Fund, which has the potential to mitigate the twin impacts of recession on some organisations of increased demand for their services and cash flow difficulties, will be open for five weeks from late October, and will provide immediate help to third sector organisations. Grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 will potentially be available to Third Sector organisations which can demonstrate how the recession has led to increased demand or significantly undermined their services." (Scottish Government)

Go to: 3rd Sector Resilience Fund for information on the following:

· Information and Guidance for Applicants
· Help Notes for Applicants
· Frequently Asked Questions
· Application Form

This fund may be of use to many OSC services.

New Out of School Care in Bankfoot (Perth & Kinross)

2009-10-15T02:09:00.000-07:00

Photo copyright Ruth Trotter, September 2009

Bankfoot School's Out Club (BSOC) children were jumping for joy as their new after school club was officially open on Friday 11th September 2009. John Swinney MSP officially opened the club with the cutting of the ribbon to mark a milestone in Bankfoot's history. The open day was for anyone interested in seeing BSOC in action along with meeting the BSOC staff and Management Committee. There were light refreshments available and activities for the children to get involved in whilst parents/carers asked questions. BSOC were delighted with the turn out.

BSOC has been a long time in the offing but with the help of local parents, PKC Childcare Strategy Team officers, PKAVS and the new, Eco Friendly, Bankfoot Church Centre, it has now opened it's doors to children living within Bankfoot and surrounding area. BSOC allows parents/carers to work safe in the knowledge that their children are being cared for. In the new Bankfoot Church Community facility the children have a very safe environment in which to express themselves through arts and crafts, sporting activities and play. The Club experience promotes children's education by encouraging development of their social, creative and individual skills.

BSOC is being part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Rural Tayside Leader 2007-2013 Programme. The Club is supported by the Coxland Trust, Perth & Kinross Grants Direct and Perth and Kinross Council Childcare Sustainability funding.

Go Play Fund

2009-09-23T00:54:00.000-07:00

On Friday Irene attended the launch of the Go Play Fund, a joint venture between the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland. 4 million pounds is available over two years to support and develop play services in Scotland for children aged between 5 and 13.

This is a great opportunity for all voluntary* out of school care services to create and develop innovative and creative play services for children. The only thing is, there's not a lot of time to develop and submit applications as the closing date is Friday 6th November 2009- everyone get thinking, and fast!

For further information and criteria: www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/Home/Go-Play

*The funding is only available to Scottish registered charities; private organisations are not eligible.

Scottish Borders Big Day Out

2009-08-31T02:34:00.000-07:00

The Borders Big Day Out 2009 was the culmination of a year-long process: in the autumn of 2008 the Scottish Borders Out of School Care Network (SBOOSCN) committee discussed the possibility of increasing their annual holiday play-days to include a Big Day, open to all the out of school care providers in the region. SBOOSCN applied to Awards for All in January 09 and were successfully awarded a grant of £5,100 to cover venue hire; snacks and lunch; transportation for all children and staff, and four workshops.

Although the initial plan was to hold the event on National Play Day, as this fell in the middle of the ‘trades’ fortnight it was decided to hold their own regional play day on the 10th Aug at Springwood Park, Kelso.

Children and staff were able to attend four hour-long workshops throughout the day: an African drumming workshop was provided by Infectious Grooves; Future Stars ran two workshops: Sports and Arts & Crafts; and Mindstretchers provided sessions on den building and gutter problem solving.

At the end of the day, to the immense enjoyment of the staff and workers, the children put on a drumming and dance show whilst wearing the masks they had made in the Arts/ crafts workshop. The day was a great success and SBOOSCN were delighted that Cllr Frances Renton was able to attend
the ‘grand finale.’

Firebowl fun

2009-07-29T01:10:00.001-07:00

Local radio and firebowls

2009-07-27T02:58:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday Finlay, our information officer, visited Newtongrange After School Club in Midlothian to see what they were up to during the holidays and take some photographs for use in our publications and publicity. When he arrived he found them toasting marshmallows on firebowls (on loan from MAP- Midlothian Association of Play), as well as plate and mug painting and decorating frog plant pots. Newtongrange co-ordinator, Heather Dunn, is very keen that the children are not "wrapped in cotton wool" and encourages the children to participate in more adventurous activities (after completing an appropriate risk assessment of course); so the toasting of marshmallows on the fire was a huge success!

Finlay also made his radio debut when he, Heather and the children were interviewed by the local community radio, Black Diamond FM. Although slightly nervous, Finlay did a great job. The children however were natural performers and entertained by singing one of their favourite songs about a gorilla and his bogies.

A special thanks to Heather and children of Newtongrange ASC for sharing their day with Finlay- he had a great time.

Summer rain

2009-07-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is: the first ever Scottish Out of School Care Network post on our new blog. We hope this blog will provide a forum for discussion, debate and sharing of information on topics relating to out of school care in Scotland.

At the moment I can see the rain pouring down and wonder how another summer has been washed away despite the sunny start in June. I am hoping that holiday services are still able to get outside and enthusiasm has not been dampened.

Here's a few photos of previous summer outdoor activities - shelter building, carting, rafting...