The Out of School Alliance conducted a survey of its members and other providers of wraparound care (before, after-school and holiday clubs) from 2 to 14 August 2020. The aim was to follow-up on our previous survey in the middle of May, to see how providers are faring now, following more than four months of closure and with the prospects for re-opening in September remaining uncertain.
We found that very few clubs (just under 11%) had been able to open during lockdown, and these had mainly been for key worker children so were typically operating with very low numbers. In addition, many fewer holiday clubs had opened than usual: 37% did not open at all, 39% opened but with reduced places, and only 13% have opened as normal. By the time the new school year starts at the beginning of September, most clubs will have been closed for over five months, and face several more months of uncertainty due to a lack of official guidance on how they can operate coupled with the prospect of reduced numbers due to social distancing and changes to parents' circumstances.
A third of providers surveyed said that if occupancy rates did not quickly bounce back to pre-Covid levels they would have to close down permanently within three months, if there was no introduction of targetted support for this sector.
Download the survey report
You can download a copy of the latest survey report (August 2020) here:
Impact of Covid-19 on OSCs: follow-up survey
You can download a copy of the previous survey report (May 2020) here: