TY - JOUR AU - King, Pete PY - 2021/07/16 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - How have after-school clubs adapted in the United Kingdom post-March lockdown? JF - Journal of Childhood, Education & Society JA - J Child Edu Soc VL - 2 IS - 2 SE - Research Articles DO - 10.37291/2717638X.202122100 UR - https://www.j-ces.com/index.php/jces/article/view/100 SP - 106-116 AB - <p>After-school clubs have provided an important childcare service for parents and carers where children are provided with an environment to play once the school day has finished.&nbsp; When the United Kingdom went into lockdown in March 2020, all children’s services closed that included the childcare provision of after-school clubs.&nbsp; When they re-opened in between July and September 2020, changes had to be implemented to meet Government restrictions.&nbsp; This study from 54 respondents working in the childcare sector identified changes within four themes:&nbsp; maintain service; bubbles; play space and play behaviour.&nbsp; This has resulted in an increase hygiene measures, staffing and amount of space for individual children, however, there is a decreased in the number of children attending, the resources and activities on offer and movement within the place space.&nbsp; Although after-school childcare is still being offered, there is financial concern on their viability and sustainability as parental demand may drop which has implications in providing a unique environment where children of different ages and abilities mix.</p> ER -