School’s been out for quite some time now and still the children are busy learning, many of them on their own school premises. But at this time of year it’s more for fun, and the opportunity is provided by out-of-school care clubs.
There are well over 1,000 such clubs, most provided by the voluntary sector, and the numbers are growing fast (page three). More than 4,000 staff work in them, encouraging children to use ICT as well as play outside. Some of the more adventurous clubs take them on day trips, like the Monifieth club travelling all the way to Edinburgh Zoo (page two).
The same clubs also organise before and after-school care. As the number of working mums and single parents soars, that is a key consideration in the choice of school - not one to be taken for granted.
