Fairfield Primary school are delighted after investment into wraparound care has paid off with numbers more than doubling since 2017.

Jane Lee, wraparound care leader at the Cockermouth school, said: "It's been such a success. I took over in 2017, the club needed someone that was full time to run it. As intake numbers increased the need for more flexible wraparound provision also increased."

Numbers have now more than doubled with between 50 to 60 children regularly using the facility.

A survey to parents revealed a need for extended opening times, so wraparound provision (childcare provided by schools outside of normal school hours) has been extended to run from 7.30am to 6pm. Children can also be collected from after school clubs held in the school.

Jane said: "Sessions are child led, if they want to initiate something the leaders will go with that."

She said there are a variety of activities that the children can choose from and they benefit from lots of space as the provision reaches across several classrooms and includes a busy, quiet and outside area. The club offers breakfast and snacks and always has fruit available.

In the club the children have enjoyed making fruit kebabs, decorating biscuits and doing themed events such as 'under the sea' where they each produced an artwork.

Some children may need some down time, or want to take part in activities and some like to play on their own, but it's all done in a safe environment. Children in the club range from nursery to year six, with the older ones often caring and interacting with the younger ones, so it is a very social experience. Jane said: "Comments from parents are that their children have settled in well."

Sessions are so popular that several children have told their friends about it, who now also attend.

Harry Robinson, in year 6, said: "I enjoy it, I like all of it, especially playing football outside."

Grace Ellis, aged nine, said: "I like to go outside and play because I like building with the engineering pieces."

There are six part time members of staff in wraparound, who also work in early years.

Morning sessions are £4.50 and evening sessions are £7.50.