A Sessional Care setting typically operate from a non-domestic site, such as a community centre, church or school building. Sessional Care settings typically care for children aged 2 to 5 years.
Sessional care settings provide up to 4 hours of continuous care for a child in any one day. Most Sessional care settings offer two sessions per day – mornings and afternoons. Children must not attend more than 5 sessions per week and there must be a break in between sessions where no children are in attendance. Many Sessional care settings offer wraparound for part time nursery children and will either drop off or pick up the child from their school or education provider.
To work in a Sessional Care setting you will need a Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development (CCPLD) qualification, the level you require will depend on your job role within the setting. Some settings are able to accept unqualified staff, with the expectation that you work towards gaining your qualification whilst in the role, this is dependant on the setting. You can find out more about what qualifications are needed at the below link:
https://socialcare.wales/qualifications-funding/qualification-framework/job-roles/sessional-day-care
You will also need a minimum of a level 2 Safeguarding and a Paediatric First Aid certificate that has been gained within the last 3 years. These are required by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) in the National Minimum Standards (NMS) that set out the requirement of all Childcare settings across Wales. Any setting that operates for over 2 hours per day MUST be registered with CIW.
If settings provide snacks, it may best practice for you to also hold a valid Food Hygiene certificate.