It’s that time of year again: six weeks of trying to think of what to do with the kids, particularly if you have to work. If you’ve exhausted the relatives, there are a variety of different holiday playschemes around, if you’re lucky. But how do you know which ones will suit your child and which is the safest and best?
What to look for?
The Daycare Trust suggests you should use the same criteria to judge a playscheme as you would for looking for any other form of childcare. They list the following criteria as vital to look out for when choosing childcare:
- Trained and experienced staff, ready to learn and respond to your child's individual needs.
- Busy, but relaxed, children who seem happy and purposeful.
- Safe and clean premises - welcoming and friendly with outside play space.
- Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness to children's home life.
- A staff team and group of children who reflect local ethnic and cultural groups.
- Fun activities planned each day - childminders, nurseries and out-of-school clubs all need to plan their days with children's interests and enthusiasms in mind.
- Exercise and quiet times to relax are important.
- A big welcome for you and your child.
Types of schemes
The children’s charity 4children distinguishes between different types of holiday playschemes:
- registered schemes which are Ofsted inspected and provide activities for children under 8;
- unregistered schemes which do not have to be inspected, although all staff need to be CRB checked;
- open access schemes – which tend to be for older children although children aged 5 to 7 can attend for up to two hours. Children can arrive and leave the scheme unaccompanied;
- closed access schemes where parents or carers drop off and collect children.
Ofsted currently covers all schemes for under 8s. From September, childcare will be divided into different age groups – early years for children up to age 5; childcare for children aged five to seven, which has to be regulated by Ofsted; and childcare for children aged eight and over or childcare which is activity-based or carried out in the child’s own home. With the latter it is up to the organisers’ discretion whether they are regulated by Ofsted. Ofsted checks that the childcare meets 14 standards which cover everything from the people who are looking after your children, to the suitability of equipment used and health and safety issues.
Cost
Cost can be one of the drawbacks for holiday playschemes, particularly if you have more than one child. Local authorities tend to provide subsidised schemes and you can claim Working Families Tax Credit on Ofsted-registered holiday playschemes if they last for four weeks or more.
Kids’ Clubs Network, which campaigns for out of school childcare, run a large number of schemes which run from 8am to 6pm in the holidays. They cost around £70 to £80 a week. For a full list Call 020 7522 6961, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm. You can also try your local authority’s Children’s Information Services or Childcare Link at www.childcarelink.gov.uk.
What to ask?
Kids' Clubs Network recommend visiting a childcare scheme before you decide to send your child and suggest taking the child along to have a look. They list a series of questions to ask:
- Is the scheme registered and has it been inspected by Ofsted? You can then check the Ofsted site – www.ofsted.gov.uk for details
- Who is in charge and what experience/qualifications do staff have?
- What is the ratio of children to care workers. A minimum of one careworker to 8 children is recommended.
- Do they have plans to develop? A good scheme would always be looking to improve.
- What is the procedure for collecting children and what happens if you are late? You want to be sure your children are safe.
- What are the rules? How do they manage discipline?
- Do they give parents feedback as a matter of course?
- How do they make decisions?
If there are no kids’ clubs in your area, they provide guidance and funding suggestions for setting one up. Most holiday playschemes cover ages from 5 to 11. There are some schemes for children aged 10-14.
Post this entry to:
del.icio.us
|
Digg
|
Newsvine
|
Reddit
