However, if they are to succeed these clubs need a style and approach which is different to provision for younger children. The audience at a KCN conference on developing childcare for 11-to 14-year-olds last week heard a presentation on four children in this age group who went to school in the London boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham. They said they wanted to spend time out of school on trick skating, building robots and learning yoga - but they definitely did not want to be 'taken care of'.
The children said their ideal club would include indoor and outdoor space, be jazzy and colourful, include an IT room and provide opportunities for project work, such as building a robot, which would help them to develop skills. They wanted to be left to their own devices, but to have supervisors on hand.
The children also wanted a quiet space for doing homework, and said they would welcome help with their studies.
Anne Longfield, Kids' Clubs Network chief executive, said parents and young people consistently complained about the lack of activities for this age group. 'KCN surveys show many parents are worried that there's little for them to do and that boredom will lead them into getting into trouble.' Early years minister Catherine Ashton said provision for older children would be 'one of the most interesting areas' for the current cross-departmental childcare review (News, 15 November). She said, 'There are 3.7 million children aged 11 to 15 in this country. And what you and I know is that their needs are not the same as primary school children, let alone pre-schoolers.
'We know that they need care after school, but it needs to fit in with who they are - the Nintendo, PC, Gameboy Advance, dare I say mobile phone, S Club 7, Britney, Robbie, chill out, cool generation!
'I tend to think there is a role for care based around schools for this group -not as an excuse to get them to do more school work, and not run by teachers -but using the facilities of school, and as importantly letting them be with their friends.'
Baroness Ashton said after-school provision could have a range of benefits, including reducing crime levels, helping to reduce teenage pregnancy and involving young people in activities that would help keep them healthy and improve social skills.
Teenage Kicks, a good practice guide on childcare and out-of-school activities for 11-to 14-year-olds, is available from the Kids' Clubs Network (020 7512 2112) and costs 6 to members and 8 to non-members.
