School's out - what now?

The Council's Early Years Service has linked with childcare providers and summer activity organisers across Rotherham to offer a range of activities that run at times and locations to suit your timetable - all under the banner of "Amazing".

The scheme aims to give children more access to a wider range of activities during the holidays and help childcare providers gain income they wouldn't otherwise be accessing.  Parents get peace of mind that a suitably qualified person is caring for their child whilst making sure they won't be bored during the holidays.

Organisers of some of the summer's Mega Active activities have also been involved by signing up to the Voluntary Ofsted Register. This makes their activities more affordable as parents may be able to claim some of the cost of childcare through tax credits.

Parents of disabled children are also being offered help with childcare over the holidays. This includes working with holiday childcare providers to ensure they have the equipment and training to meet a child's needs and looking in the future for other holiday childcare options that are not available at the moment.

In addition, children across Rotherham have been receiving an invitation to take part in an 'Amazing' picture gallery.

Each day there is a different photo challenge - for example, on one day the theme was to 'take a picture of something close up' and on another day they were asked to try and tell a story using two or three pictures. Through the 'amazing picture challenge' some 'amazing' holiday childcare providers and activities are also offering one free taster session to 5 -14 year olds so they can try their amazing activity for free.

Anyone can vote for their favourite photo online with the winners picking up a camera as the top prize. All those who have entered so far were also given a free ticket to go on the amazing 'zorb' at the Rotherham Play in the Park event last weekend. 

More information about the scheme is available to parents/carers by calling the Families Information Service (0800 073 02 30), e-mailing amazing@rotherham.gov.uk, text (07786 20 60 09) or visit the website www.rotherham.gov.uk/amazing.