SACA is a national membership association dedicated to representing medium to large providers of out-of-school activities (School Aged Childcare).
Meet our Founders
Gareth Degenhart
Founder of SACA
Founder & Managing Director, The Lime Trees
Gareth is a passionate childcare professional and visionary leader with over two decades of experience in the industry. Frustrated by the substandard conditions and lack of flexibility offered by many childcare providers—and later experiencing these same challenges as a parent—Gareth was driven to create something better.
In 2013, he founded The Lime Trees with a mission to deliver high-quality, supportive, and engaging childcare that truly meets the needs of children, families, schools, and staff. Under his leadership, The Lime Trees has grown into a respected and trusted provider across the UK, known for its child-centred approach, seamless school partnerships, and commitment to excellence.
Gareth’s personal and professional journey continues to shape the ethos of The Lime Trees: to be a meaningful part of each child’s development and a reliable partner to families and educators alike.
Craig Jones
Chair and Founder of SACA
Community Partnership Director, Junior Adventures Group UK
Craig has over 30 years’ experience working with children and young people in the education, sport, health & fitness and childcare industries. Craig is a high energy professional, with a passion for providing high quality, engaging experiences that are sustainable solutions to childcare and increasing children and young people’s physical activity levels.
Craig’s approach is nurturing, developing and supporting the best people to manage, lead and inspire children’s professionals within organisations. A results oriented individual with experience across the UK and in Europe, including the sale of his previous organisation Fit For Sport, to four successful mergers & acquisitions in the UK and Ireland; along with implementing Children/Family strategies across 5 countries, including; product development, financial/operating models, training, H&S, Compliance and full stakeholder engagement from Board level to Government engagement. Currently a Director at Junior Adventures Group, the largest provider of out of school care across the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Craig is a member of the Department of Education steering group for wraparound childcare and a DfE Advisor specific to the Early Adopter Breakfast Club Scheme which has included attending a round table events at No 10 and is current chair of the ukactive Children & Young People (CYP) forum leading on the CYP strategy and stakeholder engagement including Sport England, Active Partnerships, Youth Sport Trust and Activity Providers. As well as hosting the sectors go to Podcast ‘Love your Career in Childcare’.