Children’s futures and the economic case for before- and after-school provision

Before- and after-school activities offer pupils and their parents many educational and financial benefits, but many children and families are locked out of these benefits because of costs or lack of provision. 

This joint briefing with Magic Breakfast outlines how extra-curricular clubs and activities support children to thrive, have fulfilled childhoods and better engage with learning at school. It also highlights the significant financial benefits for individual families when these are free to access, as well as the wider gains for the economy. Before- and after-school activities mean parents are better able to take up, and benefit from, full-time work without incurring the high cost of childcare. They are proven to reduce the educational attainment gap that disadvantaged pupils face,  as well as boosting the long-term economic opportunities of children and young people.

The UK government needs to invest and enable all schools to play their part if it is serious about levelling up life chances. At present, per pupil spending remains below 2009 levels. Relying on already-stretched school budgets to provide these activities has resulted in patchy provision for children and families, with varying costs often excluding those most in need from accessing provision. We are calling on the UK government to prioritise central investment in before- and after-school clubs, with schools given adequate funding to pay staff or work with delivery partners, so children can thrive and struggling families have more opportunities to work. This will help reduce child poverty.