If you’re considering using holiday clubs for the first time, it’s understandable that both the children and their parents would be a bit nervous. However, with so many alternatives available, it can be difficult to choose which service to choose.
We’ve put up a guide to help you think about the five most essential things to consider while leaving your kid in the care of a holiday club.
1. Is it true that they are registered with Ofsted?
If a childcare provider is of high quality, they will make certain that their facility is registered with Ofsted. Every three years, Ofsted inspects child care facilities to ensure that they are compliant with the regulations that provide a dependable, safe, and engaging environment for children to learn and play. It also gives a forum for parents to communicate with if they have any concerns about their children. Unfortunately, unlike schools and colleges, there are several exclusions that mean that holiday club operators are not necessarily required to register with the Department of Education. As a result, ensuring that your childcare provider has an active registration is critical since it will demonstrate that they are concerned about the quality of their service and will also allow the daycare to be paid for using childcare vouchers or the tax-free childcare plan.
2. Is it because they have been suggested by other families?
It is usually a good idea to research the service before making the choice to book a flight. Good service providers would make their ratings and suggestions easily accessible to their customers. The majority of service providers will offer a user-friendly review system so parents can quickly submit feedback on the service they have received. Consult with other families who have used the service, and be sure to check social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and websites such as Trustpilot before making a reservation.
3. What will the students be doing on a daily basis? Is it likely that my kid will wish to return?
The days when providers would set up a few tables and let the children to amuse themselves with table games and painting are long gone – or, at the very least, they should be. Make certain that your childcare provider is offering interesting activities that the children WANT to participate in. In the same vein, there is no use in sending children to a place that does not excite, challenge, and engage their interests and needs. Remember that not all holiday clubs are about sports; great providers will recognise the wide range of interests displayed by children and will always ensure that there are several activities taking place at the same time for children to choose from, with alternative activities such as lego building, drama productions, and sign singing being offered as alternatives.
4. Does the workforce have the necessary qualifications and experience?
In order to care after your children, vacation club providers sometimes recruit younger personnel with minimal experience. While it is wonderful to have young, enthusiastic workers on site, it is equally critical that the club has an experienced staff member or manager on hand to supervise the camp. You want to know that no matter what happens, there will always be a manager or experienced staff member there to assist the other members of the team and the children. Check to see whether the camp you’re contemplating assures that all of its employees are certified first responders and have safeguarding credentials in place.
5. Do not be lured to reserve a club just because it is inexpensive; instead, look for hidden costs.
Assuming the providers you’re considering are inexpensive, think about what they’re providing in comparison to the higher-priced clubs and whether their degree of service could be compromised as a result of their low cost. While many suppliers promote a price per day for a vacation club, it is possible that the wonderful deal is only valid for a limited period of time. Consider the hours you need childcare and the activities that will best fit your family’s requirements, and then look for a club that offers safe, recommended, and entertaining activities. As with everything in life, you get what you pay for, and the safety and happiness of your children are incomparably valuable.