How to set up an after school club in the UK (2026 Update)

Setting up an after school club in the UK is a genuinely rewarding business venture. It provides working parents with reliable childcare and gives children a safe, stimulating place to grow. But it also comes with real responsibilities: legal compliance, Ofsted registration, staff recruitment, and a business plan that holds together.

This guide covers everything you need to know, from after school club legal requirements and Ofsted ratios to funding opportunities and how much to charge. Whether you are starting from scratch or refreshing an existing setup, read on.

Quick-start checklist

Here is an overview of the key steps, in the order they are covered in this guide:

1. Understand the legal requirements and whether you need Ofsted registration
2. Research local demand and identify gaps in existing provision
3. Explore funding sources and write your business plan
4. Set your pricing and decide how you will collect payments
5. Plan your marketing strategy
6. Choose and secure your venue
7. Recruit qualified staff and complete DBS checks
8. Plan your activity programme
9. Set up a booking and attendance system

After school club legal requirements

There are several statutory requirements to work through before opening your doors. Getting these right from the start will protect your business and give parents confidence in your provision.

Do you have to be Ofsted registered to run an after school club?

In England, registration with Ofsted is required if you plan to provide childcare for more than two hours per day for children aged 8 and under. Depending on the ages you cater for, you may need to register on:

• The Early Years Register — required if you care for children in Reception year or younger
• The Compulsory Childcare Register — required for children from age 5 up to age 8

Most after school clubs register on both. For children aged 9 and above, registration is not legally required but is strongly recommended in practice. Many parents expect it, and it opens the door to Tax-Free Childcare payments.

Important exemption: If your club's primary purpose is coaching a specific skill, such as drama, football, or music tuition, rather than general childcare, you may be exempt from compulsory registration. If you offer mixed activities alongside care, you will likely need to register.

Ofsted covers England only. The equivalent regulatory bodies are:

• Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in Northern Ireland
• Education Scotland in Scotland
• Estyn / Care Inspectorate Wales in Wales

You must also obtain public liability insurance. This is considered compulsory for any after school club provider.

Do holiday clubs need to be Ofsted registered?

This is a common question. The answer depends on how many days you operate. If your holiday club provides childcare for 14 days or fewer per year, Ofsted registration is not required. Clubs operating for longer will need to register, following the same rules as term-time provision.

Even for unregistered holiday clubs, best-practice staffing ratios, DBS checks, and safeguarding policies are strongly recommended. Your insurer may require minimum ratios regardless of your registration status.

What are the Ofsted requirements for after school clubs?

Once registered, after school clubs must demonstrate they meet Ofsted's standards across several areas:

• Safeguarding: all staff must be DBS checked, and there must be a designated lead practitioner for child protection
• Staffing: you must maintain sufficient staff-to-child ratios at all times (see below)
• First aid: at least one member of staff must hold a valid 12-hour paediatric first aid certificate and be present at every session
• Records: you must keep up-to-date records of all children, staff, and activities
• Health and safety: policies must cover fire safety, food hygiene (if food is provided), complaints, equal opportunities, and special educational needs (a trained SENCO must be available)
• EYFS compliance: if you care for early years children, you must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework

You can find the full list of requirements on the Ofsted government website.

Ofsted Staff-to-child ratios for after school clubs

Staff-to-child ratios are one of the most misunderstood areas of after school club compliance. The rules differ significantly depending on the ages of the children in your care.

A few important points to bear in mind:

• Insurance requirements may be stricter than the legal minimum. Most insurers require at least 1:8 for children under 5 and 1:10 for children aged 5 to 8, regardless of the statutory position.
• The 1:30 statutory maximum for older children is rarely appropriate in practice. Ofsted still requires you to demonstrate that every child is safe, supervised, and their individual needs are being met. Most providers operate closer to 1:10 to 1:14 for school-age children.
• Staff counted in ratios must be at least 17 years old and hold appropriate suitability decisions.
• Ratios must be adjusted for any children with additional needs or disabilities.

Always check with your insurer and local authority for specific guidance applicable to your setting.

What qualifications do I need to run an after school club?

Since September 2014, there is no longer a statutory requirement for out-of-school clubs to employ staff with recognised childcare or playwork qualifications, provided children are of Reception age or above. It remains good practice and gives parents genuine confidence in your provision.

Qualifications worth considering include:

• Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce
• Level 3 Diploma in Playwork
• Paediatric first aid (12-hour certificate — mandatory for at least one on-site staff member)
• Safeguarding and child protection training (mandatory for all staff)
• Food safety and hygiene qualification (if serving food)

If your club cares for early years children, a full and relevant Level 3 qualification is required for at least one member of staff on duty.

How to set up an after school club: key steps

With the legal groundwork understood, the next step is building a solid business plan. It does not need to be a lengthy document, but it should cover your target market, costs, pricing, and marketing approach.

1. Research local demand and competition

Start with market research. How many primary schools are in your area? What after school care already exists, and where are the gaps? Are local clubs closing early (e.g., before 6pm)? Do any offer food? Are holiday clubs well served?

Understanding where demand outstrips supply will help you shape your offer and stand apart. The government's wraparound childcare expansion (see the funding section below) is also driving new demand. Local authorities are actively seeking providers, which could be a route into your first contracts.

2. Funding for after school clubs

National Wraparound Childcare Programme (England)

This is the most significant new funding opportunity for anyone setting up or expanding an after school club. From September 2024, the government launched a national programme with the goal of ensuring all working parents can access wraparound childcare (8am to 6pm, term-time) by 2026. Local authorities are receiving grants to expand provision, and private providers can apply for start-up funding.

Grants of up to £1,200 are available for providers creating new wraparound places. Your local authority is the first port of call. Search for "[your council] wraparound childcare programme" or contact your council's Early Years team directly.

Other funding sources

• National Lottery Community Fund: grants for community-focused childcare projects
• Department for Education grants: check the UK Government's funding finder
• Local council funding: many local authorities offer support for new childcare providers
• Self-funding or crowdfunding: viable for smaller clubs, particularly those with strong community backing

3. How much should I charge for an after school club?

Pricing has shifted upward significantly since 2022. Based on current market data from 2024 to 2025, typical session fees are:

• £10 to £14 per session: shorter sessions (up to around 2 hours), no meal, outside London
• £14 to £18 per session: longer sessions to 6pm, includes a snack or light meal
• £18 to £25 per session: London, or sessions with a hot meal included

The average weekly cost across the UK is now around £66, or approximately £2,600 per year per child during term time. Inner London averages around £123 per week, while the South West is at the lower end at around £58 per week.

When setting your fees, factor in venue hire, staff wages, insurance, DBS checks, training, equipment and consumables, food costs (if applicable), and admin or booking software. Be transparent with parents about your pricing structure and what is included.

Many parents also rely on Tax-Free Childcare to part-fund their costs. Make sure you are set up to accept it. See our dedicated guide: How to accept Tax-Free Childcare payment for after school clubs.

4. Marketing your after school club

Marketing does not need to be expensive to be effective. The most impactful channels for after school clubs are:

• School partnerships are the most powerful starting point. Approach headteachers and school business managers directly. If you can operate on school premises, you remove a significant barrier for parents.
• Word of mouth is the single most powerful driver of bookings. Offer a referral incentive to existing parents and make it easy for them to share your details.
• Social media, particularly Facebook, remains highly effective for reaching parents. Create a dedicated business page and share regular updates. Always obtain written permission before posting images of children.
• Flyers and local noticeboards are still highly effective in school catchment areas, children's centres, and GP surgeries.
• Open days let parents and children see the space and meet the team before committing to a booking.

When communicating your offer, highlight the things parents care about most: safety credentials, staff qualifications, Ofsted registration, and the specific activities you provide.

5. Choosing your venue and equipment

Your venue needs to be safe, accessible, and appropriate for the age group you are serving. Key considerations include sufficient indoor and outdoor space for active play and quieter activities, accessibility for children walking from nearby schools, compliance with fire safety requirements, suitable toilet and handwashing facilities, a secure entry and exit to protect children's safety, and a kitchen or food preparation area if you plan to serve food.

Equipment should be age-appropriate, well-maintained, and regularly checked. Essentials include arts and crafts materials, games and puzzles, sports equipment, and basic first aid supplies.

6. Hiring staff

Recruit staff who are passionate about working with children and hold appropriate qualifications. All staff must undergo an enhanced DBS check before starting work. This is non-negotiable and costs £18 via the UK Government website.

For practical guidance on DBS renewals, staff qualification checks, and getting organised at the start of each new term, see our post on getting your after school club ready for the new school year.

7. Planning your activity programme

A strong activity programme is one of your most important selling points. After school clubs have the freedom to explore topics and activities that the school curriculum does not cover, from photography and gardening to coding, cooking, and dance.

The research is clear: children who regularly attend after school provision develop stronger social skills, greater confidence, and better academic outcomes. You can read more about this in our post on the benefits of after school clubs for academic performance.

For a comprehensive list of activity ideas to plan your programme, see 5 after school club activity ideas.

8. Managing bookings and payments

Running a paper-based booking system is possible for very small clubs, but it becomes unwieldy quickly. An after school club booking system like Pembee lets parents book and pay online, collects registration details such as allergies, emergency contacts, and medical information automatically, and generates attendance registers in real time. This saves significant admin time every week.

For payment collection, card payments via an online system are far preferable to cash. They reduce errors, eliminate theft risk, and create a clean audit trail.

If you are registered with Ofsted, you are likely eligible to sign up for the government's Tax-Free Childcare scheme. For every £8 a parent deposits, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 per child per year. Accepting it broadens your appeal considerably and is a straightforward process once you are Ofsted registered. Pembee is one of the few online booking systems that is fully integrated with Tax-Free Childcare payment system, allowing parents to pay via their TFC account during the checkout flow, rather than manually log in to their account and transfer the money. Check out how Pembee's online tax-free childcare payment works here.

Summary

Setting up an after school club in the UK is very achievable with the right preparation. The key steps are:

• Understand and comply with after school club legal requirements, including Ofsted registration and staff ratios
• Research local demand, identify funding, and write your business plan
• Set your pricing and plan how to accept Tax-Free Childcare payments
• Market your club to local schools and parents
• Secure your venue, recruit qualified staff, and complete all DBS checks
• Plan an engaging activity programme
• Set up an efficient booking and payment system

The wraparound childcare expansion underway across England represents a genuine opportunity for new providers. Demand is growing and local authority funding is available to help you get started.

If you are ready to take the admin off your plate from day one, Pembee is designed specifically for after school clubs and activity providers. Try it for 30 days for free and see how much time you save.

Need a booking system for your after school club? Pembee's after school club booking system is built for UK providers — including support for Tax-Free Childcare payments.