Avonmouth Holiday Play Scheme
Information Pack
Welcome to Avonmouth Holiday Play Scheme. Please find below some valuable information about who we are, what we do and our club policies.
General background
The club has been set up to provide childcare during the school holidays.The club is managed by the management committee, and is run on a day-to-day basis by salaried staff. Our staffs are qualified play workers and all our staffs have experience in play work. All staff goes through full Ofsted and police checks. Staff are supported and supervised by the management committee. The staff of the scheme work constantly to ensure that it runs smoothly and responds to the needs of the children in our care.
We aim to ensure that everyone:
- Is happy that the service is safe, efficient and fun.
- Has a voice in the way that the scheme is run.
- Has a way of influencing policy and procedures.
It is our aim to provide your child/ren with a caring, friendly, stimulating environment that meets their individual needs throughout the school holidays.
Opening times
The play Scheme operates from 8am – 6.30pm every day. Breakfast, snacks and drinks are provided during the session. You will need to provide packed lunch if your child/ren is with us at 12noon.
Play
We provide opportunities for play that are natural and allow children to be themselves by exploring and experimenting. We ensure that children are in situations where they cannot fail at play, as there is no right or wrong. This leads to improve self-esteem and high confidence levels which are essential for future learning. Play is an essential part of preparing young children for learning and adult life.
Booking a place for your child
Before children can use the scheme, parents / carers must complete a Registration Form, additional medical form and Booking Form.Forms are available from the play scheme.Once we have confirmed your child’s place, that place will be yours until your child leaves the club or you decide to cancel. However each holiday the form will be sent out,you will be asked to fill out the form and send it with payment to confirm the place. The club is open to 4 - 12 year olds.
Fees
Hours / For 1 Child / For 2 Child / For 3 Child / For 4 Child / For 5 Child2 hrs / £5 / £8 / £11 / £14 / £17
3 hrs / £7.20 / £11.30 / £15.40 / £19.50 / £23.60
4 hrs / £9.40 / £14.60 / £19.80 / £25.00 / £30.20
5 hrs / £11.00 / £19.00 / £27.00 / £35.00 / £43.00
6 hrs / £13.20 / £22.30 / £31.40 / £40.50 / £49.60
7 hrs / £15.40 / £25.60 / £35.80 / £46.00 / £56.20
8 hrs / £17.60 / £28.90 / £40.20 / £51.50 / £62.80
9 hrs / £19.80 / £32.20 / £44.60 / £57.00 / £69.40
10 hrs / £20.00 / £35.00 / £50.00 / £65.00 / £80.00
Payment in ful, is on a one week, in advance basis by cash or cheque (made payable to Avonmouth Holiday Play Scheme). You will be reminded of the payment periods. If you are unable to pay your fees in advance, please speak to the senior play worker as alternative arrangements may be made.
Information is available from the play scheme regarding possible reductions in, or reclaiming of, fees through state benefits, tax credits or subsidies from local employers.
If there are any problems with payments please contact the senior play worker to discuss the issue. Your enquiry will be passed on to the committee and dealt with in confidence, but we will ask you to sign an agreement. We will always pursue outstanding fees.
Attendance
If your child has suffered from sickness or diarrhoea they will not be able to attend the scheme. Children have to be well for 48 hours before re-attending the scheme. For other illnesses or infections please refer to the Infectious Disease Manual. Please inform us straight away if your child is ill or cannot attend the scheme for any other reason.Ring 07901721965
If your child becomes ill whilst at the club you will be contacted to collect your child. If you are not available, we will contact those listed under Emergency Contact Numbers on your child’s Registration Form.
Absences
If your child is absent for any reason, we regret that we are unable to refund any fees for the session(s) missed. We hope that this doesn’t seem too harsh, but we do still have to pay the staff wages etc. Please ring if your child is going to be absent. Ring 07901721965
Cancellation
If you no longer require a place for your child at the club, we do require a notice of cancellation.
Security
The club is locked with a bell to gain access. Only parents / carers who are collecting children and official visitors will be able to gain access to the club. All visitors will be asked to complete our Visitor’s Book. If a child is being picked up by someone we haven’t met a password is required which the parents / carers will need to discuss with the senior play worker.
All children will be signed in and out of the scheme by their parents / carers with aplayworker watching.
Staff vetting
The entirescheme’s permanent staffs have been police checked.
If you experience any problems with the scheme, or have any suggestions to make, please let the Playleader or the committee know.
Collection
Only people authorised by the parents / carers are allowed to collect children, unless we are otherwise informed (please see Registration Form for details). Please tell us of any changes in person and where possible in writing. Passing on information through a child will not be accepted. Identification will be required.The scheme will not allow people under the age of 18 to collect children unless parents / carers give written permission. The scheme will not allow children to walk home unsupervised.
When a child is collected, the adult will sign the daily register and add the time to indicate they have collected the child.
Late pick-up
If the person collecting the child/ren is unavoidably delayed they must inform the senior play worker by telephone on 07901721965. Social services will be called upon if we don’t hear from the parent / carer and the scheme has finished for the day.
What happens at the playscheme?
The children always have the opportunity of choosing which activities they want to join in with. We also have a wide range of free play equipment including Lego, books, drawing, painting, playing group games and board games.
All planning, play equipment and materials will be chosen to give children a balanced view of the world and an appreciation of the rich diversity of our multi-cultural society.
All food provided by the club is healthy, nut free and vegetarian. We will strive to meet all medical, cultural and dietary needs as informed by parents / carers. Drinks of water are available to children at all times.
Policy statements
We have detailed policies covering a number of areas. Feel free to look in our policy folder.
N.B Only parents have access to their children records.
Accidents
The scheme has a First Aid kit on site. In the event of minor injuries, the playworkers are responsible for any necessary treatment. Any accidents and/or treatment will be recorded in the Accident Book. Parent / Carers will be asked to sign the accident book when they collect the child. The Accident Book will be reviewed at regular intervals.
Emergencies
Please ensure that the playworkers have an emergency contact number.
Behaviour and discipline
We encourage the children to behave responsibly, be courteous to each other and to staff. Discipline will be in the form of encouragement and understanding. Should more serious action be required, the child will be taken away from the situation until s/he has calmed down. We operate a strict policy of no physical punishment.
We will not tolerate:
- Aggressive behaviour towards other children or staff.
- Children leaving the site without supervision.
- Physical or verbal bullying.
- Discrimination in any form.
- Destruction of property.
We are required to record all incidents that happen at the setting onIncident Formsand parents / carers will be advised as appropriate. These forms are confidential. Parents have access to their child’s records. Repeated incidents may result in your child being excluded with notice. Serious incidents involving danger to others may result in your child being excluded without notice.
Childcare tax credit
As working parents you may be entitled to tax credits to contribute towards the cost of your childcare. Further information can be obtained from the Inland Revenue 0345 300 3900 or by visiting
Parent / carer complaints
If you are unhappy about anything to do with the setting you should raise the matter with the senior play worker. If this is not possible you can speak to the committee. We will do everything we can to resolve any difficulties. For further details please see the full Parents' Complaints Procedure, which can be found with the full policy statements in the folder.
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