Schoolfriend etc - Highly Commended as Best New Charity for Charity Times Awards 2007

Wednesday 12 September 2007: Schoolfriend etc, the leading charitable provider of extended schools childcare, has been highly commended as ‘Best New Charity’ for The Charity Times Awards 2007. The charity was recognised for its innovative solutions, impressive growth and provision of holistic childcare.

Amanda Argent, Chief Executive Officer for Schoolfriend etc, commented:

"We are thrilled to be highly commended for this prestigious award under the 'Best New Charity' category. The whole team at Schoolfriend etc has worked phenomenally hard to continue to develop new initiatives as well as ensuring that existing ones are maintained to the highest possible standards. We are absolutely delighted that our efforts to date have been recognised and we looking forward to telling the judges about our ongoing successes next year."

The Judging panel for the Charity Times Awards, commented:

"Schoolfriend etc has realised impressive growth in a relatively short space of time, and provides truly innovative solutions serving a multitude of needs. Its extension of affordable and holistic childcare into areas of deprivation is to be commended."

The Charity Times Awards recognise outstanding achievement in the varied fields of management, honouring the individuals and teams who set the professional standards by which peers can benchmark themselves.

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Schoolfriend etc is the leading charitable provider of after-school, breakfast and holiday clubs in schools across the UK. The charity serves the local community by providing affordable high-quality childcare, freeing up parents to work or study. It assists Local Authorities and schools in fulfilling the Government's Extended Schools Agenda by offering childcare on school premises without the burden of additional costs.

• It now works with over 700 schools, operating in 83 out of 150 authorities and servicing over 160,000 children.