Wraparound care trial in Catterick
There’s good news if you’re based in Catterick with children aged four to 11, you can now apply for free before- and after-school childcare.
The pilot scheme, which began in January, offers up to 20 hours of childcare a week in term time. You must be in paid employment, working at least 16 hours per week, and your soldier must be assigned to one of the units in Catterick Garrison.
If you’re eligible and interested in applying, your soldier should email DCYP-HQ-WACP-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk from their MOD email address, stating ‘EOI-Catterick Garrison’ in the title.
Want to find out more? See AFF’s FAQs at aff.org.uk
Extending the childcare hours in Ayios Nikolaos for 0 to 11-year-olds is a ground-breaking development for families in Cyprus.
Previously, children of school age were only provided for by childminders, with limited places, leaving some families without access to registered childcare. The Ayios Nikolaos Child Care Hub is now running before- and after-school clubs as well as a holiday club, with children able to attend from 7am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year.
“Families can now feel confident that their children can be looked after in a quality setting which adheres to UK standards,” says AFF’s Cyprus lead Aileen Naylor. “This opens the door for parents to seek employment and training, and attend to the numerous tasks involved in running a household in a foreign country secure in the knowledge that their children are well looked after.”
RAF Akrotiri is launching similar wraparound care and AFF is hopeful that Episkopi and Dhekelia stations will follow suit in the near future. We’ll report back when we hear more.
Do contact us if you have any questions – cyprus@aff.org.uk