Allsorts After-School Club was established in November 2001, when a pilot scheme was set up in the West Church Hall for eight children, run by the Church of Scotland. A holiday club was run in 2002, but was restricted to afternoons. The pilot scheme ran for one year, after which the club moved to Dornoch Academy and was taken over by a local management committee with grant aid from the Highland Childcare Partnership and the New Opportunities Fund (now the Big Lottery). The funding package allowed the club to expand to 16 children and to provide full day cover in the holidays. As Dornoch is a tourist destination, peak employment occurs during the summer months and the availability of childcare throughout the day will enable parents to access these opportunities, in the knowledge that their youngsters are being well cared for and having fun.

Photo: Clive Grewcock

In 2010 Allsorts was selected as one of only 27 clubs in Scotland to be supported by Inspiring Scotland's Go Play Scheme (see  www.inspiringscotland.org.uk)  to develop free play and to evaluate the benefits to children of regular child-driven and mainly outdoor play.

Free play sparks new interests and builds a child’s confidence in their own skills. At Allsorts we offer FUNtastic free play sessions in our natural play area. When children take control of their play they develop their natural curiosity through experimentation and problem-solving using the material around them.