ABOUT TOSC
Tranmere Out of School Club, affectionately known by the children as 'TOSC', began in January 2006.
The club has continued to meet the growing demand for places, increasing year on year to where we are today! The busy club has kept its values and roots which it began with, ensuring all children are cared for in a happy, safe environment, enabling parents and carers to access affordable, reliable and flexible childcare before & after school.
We are registered with Ofsted (registration number EY 318 901). Please read our latest report here:
The club is committed to providing Outstanding care for all, where play is valued and nurtured to help children learn, grow and develop. As Playworkers, we use the Playwork Principles to establish a professional and ethical framework for playwork:
At TOSC, we respect and recognise that all children are unique and have differing needs. Staff at the club ensure children have the opportunity to relax, make choices and play free from adult direction and expectations. Through the provision of an extensive range of experiences we encourage children to explore the environment, use their imaginations and develop creativity through their thought processes, whether playing with others or independently.
Play England's charter for Children's play (2024) states that:
'Play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development'.
When children are asked about what they think is important in their lives, playing and friends is usually at the top of the list.
Defining Play
The Charter defines play as: ‘what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, and for their own reasons.’
Play has also frequently been described as ‘what children and young people do when they are not being told what to do by adults’.
Having time and space to play gives children the opportunity to meet and socialise with their friends, keeps them physically active, and gives the freedom to choose what they want to do.
Research shows that play has many benefits for children, families and the wider community, as well as improving health and quality of life. Recent research suggests that children’s access to good play provision can:
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increase their self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-respect
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improve and maintain their physical and mental health
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give them the opportunity to mix with other children
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allow them to increase their confidence through developing new skills
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promote their imagination, independence and creativity
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offer opportunities for children of all abilities and backgrounds to play together
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provide opportunities for developing social skills and learning
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build resilience through risk taking and challenge, problem solving, and dealing with new and novel situations
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provide opportunities to learn about their environment and the wider community.
'Every child has the right to relax & play'
(UNCRC 1989, Article 31)
