NEARLY 10 years ago a Wyre Forest school launched a scheme that revolutionised life for working women.

The out-of-school-hours children's club at Franche First School in Kidderminster is now one of 14 in the district which are the pride of educationalists in Worcestershire.

It was in the 1980s the county's early years development officers resolved something should be done to help liberate parents, and especially mothers, from the problem of how to care for their children when there is no-one at home.

In the old days mums who had no family support and could not afford professional help had only two options.

Either to put up with the stigma and guilt of their offspring becoming "latch-key children" or to stay at home until the kids grew up and hope to get back on the career ladder later on.

As new children throughout Wyre Forest enter schools this week, mothers will be making choices that were never open to their own parents.

Children's after-school and holiday clubs are well established now across Worcestershire and with Wyre Forest boasting 332 of the 1,354 places provided in the county, not including day nursery provision, the district is leading the trend.

There are also 400 holiday schemes in which children have been enjoying a huge range of activities over the summer holidays.

Wyre Forest early years development officer Liz Bloomer said: "The scheme has grown from strength to strength. It started initially because we knew of the need to provide affordable care for children of working mothers. But now the clubs are being used for a range of reasons.

"Often they join just for fun because they enjoy being with their friends and having interesting things to do."

All the clubs are registered as meeting standards of care set by the social services department. Helped by Government funding, each set their own charges with varying scales according to the hours booked.

Most offer schemes to help mothers with financial problems who would also benefit from the Family Tax Credit and lone parent schemes.

Franche First School, for instance charges £15 for a full day from 7am to 6pm and lesser amounts for only part of the day with a 10 per cent reduction for each second or subsequent child.

Children are provided with refreshments including breakfast if necessary and a daily programme describes the range of activities they take part in.

They include anything from outings in the Wyre Forest and swimming to ball games, cooking and art and drama sessions.

School co-ordinator Anne Grove said the "726 Club" at Franche had even attracted visiting children from other countries and many were not actually pupils of the school, adding to the social interest for children.

Over the latest summer holidays there had never been fewer than 45 children, with an age range of three to 13, on any one day.

There is one adult to every five children compared with the legally stipulated one to eight ratio.

"We all enjoy ourselves and that goes for staff as well as children," she said.

Parents are advised to visit clubs to make sure they are choosing the right one for their child.

Information on clubs and childminders is available on 01527 834770 or on website www.childcarelink.gov.uk/worcestershire