Outstanding Oscars service expansion

The Hartlepool Council-run club, based at Rossmere Youth Centre on Rossmere Way, has introduced plans to expand its current weekday afternoon service to include additional pickups at St Teresa’s and Rossmere Primary Schools at 11.30am.

The expansion of the service aims to cater for the new Government initiative due to roll out in September, which will offer eligible working parents of three and four year olds up to 30 hours free childcare per week.

Oscars will continue to operate an after-school service on weekdays as normal, which involves children aged 3 to 16 being collected from school and transported to the centre where they take part in a wide range of educational and fun activities. Parents then have until 6pm to collect their children.

Sandra Robinson, the Council’s Out of School Coordinator, explains: “We are pleased to announce that Oscars will be expanding its service offering to support working parents of three and four year olds who are eligible to receive up to 30 hours free childcare per week.

“To help these parents, we will offer school pickups at 11.30am from St Teresa and Rossmere Primary Schools so children can attend our afternoon sessions. Parents can also use their free 30 hours of childcare entitlement through our normal after-school programme, which will not change. 

“We would be more than happy to answer any questions parents may have about these changes. The emphasis is always on fun at Oscars and parents can relax knowing that their children are enjoying themselves and are in safe hands.”

The service, which has been running for over 20 years, was recently hailed as “outstanding” by Ofsted inspectors.

Anyone wishing to book, view facilities at Oscars or requiring further information should email sandra.robinson@hartlepool.gov.uk or call 07771 936968.

To find out more about the Government childcare scheme, visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.