Children's charity Barnardos has published a best practice guide for the provision of after-school services.
The charity says a growing number of children are looked after by people other than their parents at the end of the school day and there has been an increase in community-based after-school projects.
It says the publication aims to offer "a best practice model" for the growing number of providers of after-school services in Ireland.
Entitled After school +, the booklet contains information on health and safety, best employment practices as well as a section on useful resources and activities.
The head of service with Barnardos' National Children's Resource Centre, Ms Anne Conroy, said: "Many childcare services and schools are setting up after school services to meet the needs of parents who are working or are attending training or education."
Ms Conroy said: "This guide will assist childcare practitioners to focus on developing quality childcare services, particularly catering for the eight-14 age group".
The guide is available at Barnardos' resource centres throughout Ireland in Dublin, Athlone, Cork, Galway and Limerick at a cost of €12.