Wraparound Care for Adopted Children

[AP38]

Hi everyone. My (adopted) daughter is about to start primary school in the coming september. I am already stressing about wraparound care as the school we've chosen is not one of the schools her current nursery provides pickups/dropoffs to. This means her wraparound care will have to be given by a different provider and she really struggles with transitions.

We are hoping to get her into the breakfast club at the school, and the afterschool club that is run within the school but by an external provider.

My question is: does anyone with experience know if looked after children/previously looked after children get the same priority in these settings as they do for their school places?

I’d ring up the school and ask as it probably depends on the school.

I'm not sure if they do get preference, but I think if you speak to the school they would be supportive. It is in their interest (and of course the child's) to receive a calmer and more settled child at the start of the day and again to hand over a less anxious child at the end.

They're separate private entities to the schools round us so I would be enquiring with the provider.

I would expect that the answer is no, as external providers don't usually follow the school admissions policy - it's usually first come first served. Is it likely that the after school club is over subscribed and it will be difficult to get a place? At my DC's school its not usually a problem.

Fellow adopter.
I have never heard about statutory priority for this, however I would contact school / provider as soon as possible to request a place.
They may have a system that prioritises pupil premium.

Also worth contacting the LA to ask about their virtual school for LAC, apart from making sure the school is up to date with LAC legislation, there is often a pot of funding to support LAC, might not be appropriate for reception, but further up the school you might find that some after school activities are charged for.

Speak to the after school providers.

Would it not be possible to change your primary school preference to one that the current nursery does drop off/collect from?