Out-of-school centres
Out-of-school centres play an important role for children's development and security, and the activities are a significant supplement to the school system.
Out-of-school centres are intended for children between the ages of six and during holidays up to and including the spring term the year the pupil turns thirteen. In all, some 360 000 children are enrolled at out-of-school centres. It is mainly children aged six to nine who attend these activities. This age group represents 80 per cent of those enrolled. The majority attend out-of-school centres which are generally integrated into, and have the same management, as schools.
The task of out-of-school centres is to supplement the school system and stimulate the pupils' development and learning as well as offer meaningful leisure time and recreation. Through their experience of explorative, laboratory and practical methods, out-of-school centres can help in achieving the more academic oriented goals of schools. One pre-condition for children to perceive their out-of-school as meaningful is that activities are designed based on their needs, interests and experience. Great emphasis must be given to encouraging students to develop their social skills in their interplay with friends and adults. It is possible to organise activities and integrate out-of-school educational activities with scheduled teaching within the framework of compulsory school. This means that the municipality is able to organise work so that the staff of out-of-school centres also work in the compulsory school.
Municipalities are obliged to offer enrolment at out-of-school centres during the part of the day that children do not attend pre-school classes and school, and during holidays up to and including the spring term the year the pupil turns thirteen. Enrolment at out-of-school centres is to be offered as necessary so that parents can work or study, or if the child has personal needs due to the family's situation in general. Beginning the autumn term the pupil turns ten, activities at open out-of-school centres may be offered instead of out-of-school centres.
Out-of-school centres are regulated by the Education Act, which is approved by the Riksdag. Out-of-school centres share the same curriculum as compulsory schools and pre-school classes, which is approved by the Government. This stipulates that pre-school classes, schools and out-of-school centres must develop channels for cooperation so as enrich the all-round development and learning of each child.
The Education Act contains quality requirements describing the preconditions necessary to meet children's needs of care and good educational activities. These requirements deal with the composition and size of children's groups, premises, staff and that in general, children are to be offered a good environment.
The Swedish National Agency for Education has prepared general advice for out-of-school centres. Within the set frameworks, individual municipalities are free to decide how to conduct their services. The Swedish National Agency for Education's general advice contains recommendations as to how laws and regulations may be applied.
