Working in Out of School Childcare

A career that’s rewarding, flexible, and full of opportunity Whether you’re exploring your first role or building on years of experience, out of school clubs offer real career progression — from playworker to manager and beyond.
For Staff

Working in out of school childcare

It’s rewarding, varied, and full of opportunity. Whether you’re considering your first role in the sector or looking to develop your career, here’s what you need to know about qualifications, training, and progression.
Non-Ofsted Provisions

Real Career Progression

From playworker to senior, supervisor to manager — there's a clear path for those who want to grow. OOSA Academy offers training at every level, from induction to leadership.

Ofsted Checks

No Formal Qualifications Needed

You don't need specific qualifications to get started — the right attitude, training, and experience matter more. Many people enter the sector and learn on the job.

club-management

Is It For You?

If you're patient, playful, and enjoy being around children, out of school childcare could be a great fit. It's about creating space for children to play, relax, and be themselves.

Staff qualifications

Staff Qualifications Ensuring Your Team Has the Right Skills

If your club is on the Early Years or Compulsory Childcare Register and cares for reception-age children or older, Ofsted no longer requires specific childcare or playwork qualifications. However, you must demonstrate that staff have the training and experience to do their roles effectively.
Safe recruitment

Your team must be in place — and properly checked — before your club can open.

Ofsted-registered settings require enhanced DBS, health, and reference checks. Non-registered settings should follow the DfE’s Code of Practice for suitability checks. OOSA members can access detailed guidance in our advice articles.

Staff Ratios

The number one query to our inbox

Ratios depend on your Ofsted register, the ages and needs of children, your premises, and the activities you offer. OOSA members can access detailed guidance on getting this right.
Template Packs

Resources to Save You Time

Our Employment Pack includes safe recruitment checklists, job descriptions, application forms, timesheets, and appraisal templates. The Staff Induction Pack helps you onboard new team members properly — including a staff handbook template.

Employment Pack

Complete resources and templates for effective recruitment processes.

Staff Induction pack

Essential resources and tools for efficient staff induction.

Testimonials

What people say about us.

Dramatis Drama School

Just wanted to write an email to say thankyou again very much for your help and wisdom on my drama school. It was incredibly helpful and inciteful. I also wanted to say…. I actually felt a little bit teary. I’ve been so on my own trying desperately to get my school off the ground, knowing that I can help children but having no one I could talk to about it, who actually understands what we do and how to translate it. Really grateful Rebekah

Mike Barclay

I’m happy to say I’ve known Rebekah for many years through our shared work developing strategic support for children’s play at a local government level and the delivery of community based playwork provision.
As a consequence of her qualifications and many years of experience, Rebekah offers a valuable and rare combination. Firstly, she has extensive knowledge and understanding of the childcare sector and the challenges involved in developing and sustaining high quality childcare provision. Secondly, Rebekah knows her play and playwork and this underpins her approach to quality improvement and staff development. The result is a childcare business mentor and playwork trainer with an in-depth appreciation of what high quality childcare looks like for children and their families, and importantly, how to achieve it.”

Janine Dodge

Dear Rebekah,
I LOVED your training session this morning!  It was so clear and engaging.  Simply awesome.  I really liked the way you explained the key terms.  I learned a lot and am very inspired for our workshop here.

Rebekah

Rebekah, Many congratulations to you on your new venture!
I am over the moon that I am going to have you in my business life all the time!

Nikki Pitts

Hi Rebekah,

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the amazing courses, your constant inspiration and motivation! It’s really given lots of exciting things to think about and start putting into place … love it!

Adam Smart

‘Starting my own childcare business was unexpected and I struggled to understand the skills and knowledge needed to run it successfully. As someone inexperienced in business, I was in uncharted territory. However, after enrolling in Rebekah’s training, everything changed. Her advice and tips helped me bridge gaps and transformed the way we operate. Not only that, her expertise in play and early years education has elevated the business to become one of the leading childcare companies in Cambridge.’

Lianne

Our OOSA membership is non-negotiable for us. It set the foundation for our business and continues to play a huge part in how and why we continue to thrive in what feels like a very vulnerable sector. The resources available, sector knowledge, experience and support you can expect to receive is nothing short of outstanding. They make a lot of sense in a place where nothing is ever black or white!

In difficult situations, we have received honest, practical, and sound advice, some of which has saved us from the brink of giving up.

OOSA is a progressive and present voice for our sector. We feel supported, protected, and heard.

Keep up the amazing work you do, we’d be lost without you!

Claire & Lianne

“We cannot recommend OOSA highly enough to anybody that looks after children. Their paperwork packs are meticulous and their website a one stop shop for anything and everything you need.

More recently, they have been pivotal in supporting our club through a very stressful experience, not only in terms of their extensive industry knowledge, but in terms of emotional support and validation.

The whole team deserve a huge THANK YOU, but Becks in particular has been our rock, our safe space and our comfort blanket”

Kudize Club

I first joined OOSA when I started my wrap around childcare business in 2015 and it was completely invaluable with helping me navigate through the whole process; from registering with Ofsted and having all the policies and procedures in place to feeling confident the pre-reg visit then opening our doors for the first time.

 

OOSA has evolved so much over the years, and I love feeling part of a wonderfully supportive and professional OOSA community. I feel valued as a childcare provider when we are invited to share our insights and experiences, and I enjoy continuing to broaden my knowledge and understanding of the childcare sector with the opportunities my OOSA membership provides. Over the years, I too have evolved –  I feel much more confident as a business owner, and I have developed a professional vocabulary. I am  proud of what had been achieved for childcare sector so far, but determined to continue to educate the families I work with, on how vital Playwork and professionalism go hand in hand with proving their children with the best experiences when in our care.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of membership plans are available?
We offer tiered membership plans designed for childcare providers, each including different levels of resources and support. Explore our “Membership Options” page for detailed information and find the plan that best suits your needs.

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