Following reestablishment of the School-Age Childcare and Playwork Forum, participants met online last week and were delighted to be joined by Northern Ireland’s Children’s Commissioner, Chris Quinn. We would like to extend our thanks to the Forum members for their attendance and participation – your honesty during the meeting was invaluable. As one member stated, “We are a sector underpinned by passion”, and that certainly shone through during the meeting. A special thank you to the Commissioner who took the time to listen and to explore the many challenges and inequality currently facing the School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. The Commissioner has promised his commitment to taking the challenges and solutions forward, and to discuss with key personnel. We look forward to further engagement with the Commissioner.

During the session, the Forum explored how the SAC sector finds itself in an extremely vulnerable position, with both the development of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy (initial investment in which has focused solely on pre-school provision), alongside the review of Minimum Standards. The meeting was a critical opportunity to highlight the many benefits of SAC as well as the opportunity to look at the challenges and solutions needed to stabilise and support the sustainability, affordability, quality and growth of the sector.

If you would like to be part of the School-Age Childcare and Playwork Forum, please contact Katherine Lyndsey Dunlop, Regional Childcare Coordinator, PlayBoard by emailing Katherine.Lindsay@playboard.co.uk All registered SAC providers are welcome.