School age childcare: national children's charter

The person or team caring for us

School age childcare might be run by one person, like a childminder, or it might be an out of school club with lots of different activities. For a club, we like the idea of it being run by a group of people all working together. For example, older children and elderly people (who might be too frail to take full responsibility for the club) might lead some activities.

The person or the team running childcare should be:

• Calm and patient. They don't shout at us or lose their temper.
• Fair, respect children and have clear boundaries and rules.
• Organised.
• Good at gathering ideas of what people want to do and then making it happen. This includes finding people with skills they don't have.
• Good at involving everyone, helping us work together and feel like a community.
• A good leader, but also part of the team. They don't sit on the side lines, and are curious and learn things with us. They challenge us to do and be our best.
• A trustworthy friend. They are kind-hearted, never mean, and are genuinely interested in us. I can share worries with them because they're good at understanding other people's feelings and give emotional support and hugs (if we want them).
• Courageous and responsible – well trained and good at keeping everyone and everything safe, including on trips and adventures.
• Fun, funny, cheerful and optimistic.
• Know and respect our rights.

Some people who might have these qualities include:

• Mums, Dads and Grandparents.
• Teachers and Pupil Support Assistants.
• Childminders and people who already run school age childcare.
• Our brothers and sisters.
• A superhero or someone famous.
• Us!