School holidays should be something children look forward to, but when you’re working, there’s also the practical question of childcare.
You want to know your child is somewhere safe, well cared for and having a genuinely enjoyable school holiday, not simply passing the time until you finish work.
If a holiday club is part of your plans, here are some of the things worth considering before you book.
Start with the practical details. Check the drop off and collection times, which ages can attend and whether you can book individual days rather than committing to a full week.
Location matters too. Think about how the club fits with your journey to work, collection arrangements and who else may need to drop off or pick up.
It’s also useful to know what your child needs to bring and how collection works. Having those details upfront makes it much easier to decide whether a club will work for your family.
Once the practical details work, you also need to feel confident about where your child will be spending their day.
Ofsted registration is one thing you may want to check, along with the provider’s safeguarding arrangements, staffing and procedures for looking after children throughout the day.
Before booking, look for:
This information should be easy to find, and you should be able to ask the provider about anything you are unsure of before your child attends.
At Aspire Active Camps, we have detailed child protection procedures in place and our team is suitably trained in safeguarding and first aid.
Read more: Camp safety: what parents really need to know
A good holiday camp should be much more than somewhere your child stays while you work. The school holidays are their time too, so they should come home having had fun.
Camp can give children the chance to get active, try new things, make friends and build confidence while enjoying a break from the usual school routine. Look at the activities on offer and think about whether there’s enough variety to keep your child interested and involved.
Every child is different. Some will throw themselves straight into games and new activities, while others may want a little time to settle in and get to know the group.
At Aspire Active Camps, sport and physical activity are at the heart of the experience. Our Multi Sports Academy gives children opportunities to play, move, try different activities and enjoy being active with others.
For us, a great day at camp is one where your child has had fun, tried something new and leaves looking forward to coming back.
Going to holiday camp for the first time can feel like a big step, especially if your child doesn’t know anyone else who will be there. Some children will be excited, some may feel nervous and plenty will probably feel a bit of both.
Talking about the day beforehand can help make things feel more familiar. You might let them know where they are going, some of the activities they could try and who will be collecting them afterwards.
It’s also useful to read the provider’s parent information so you know what to bring and how arrival and collection work. If there is anything that could help your child settle, you can let the team know when you arrive.
For more advice on getting ready for that first day, we have a full guide for parents.
Read: How to prepare your child for their first ever camp experience
If you are paying for holiday childcare, it is worth checking whether you can use childcare support towards the cost.
Yes. Eligible working families can use Tax-Free Childcare towards approved childcare, including registered holiday clubs.
For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2. The government contribution is normally available up to £500 every three months for each child, with a higher limit for eligible disabled children.
Your childcare provider also needs to be signed up to receive Tax-Free Childcare payments. Eligibility depends on your circumstances, so always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.
If you already receive childcare vouchers through an eligible scheme, you may be able to use them towards registered holiday childcare.
The childcare voucher scheme is closed to new applicants, but some parents who joined an employer scheme on or before 4 October 2018 can continue using vouchers while they remain eligible.
Aspire Active Camps accepts approved childcare payment methods including childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare where applicable.
Read: Childcare vouchers and payments explained: what parents need to know
Choosing holiday childcare is about more than finding somewhere that is open while you’re at work. You want to feel confident about where your child is spending their day and know they’re going to have a positive experience while they’re there.
Aspire Active Camps provides school holiday childcare with sport and physical activity at the heart of the experience. We have detailed child protection procedures in place, and our team is suitably trained in safeguarding and first aid. You can also check the Ofsted registration information shown for your chosen venue before booking.
Children have opportunities to stay active, enjoy a varied programme and spend their school holidays with other children in a positive, engaging environment.
Parents can also access our Parents Guide before camp to find out what children need to bring, how the day works and what to expect.
Opening hours, age groups, activities and dates can vary by venue and school holiday, so each camp page includes the information you need before booking.
The result is childcare that works practically around your day while your child gets an active, enjoyable school holiday experience.
Aspire Active Camps runs across five West Midlands locations:
Sutton Coldfield | Hagley | Bromsgrove | Codsall | Wombourne
Our Multi Sports Academy runs across Active Camps venues, with additional activities available depending on the location and school holiday.
Each venue page includes current dates, opening hours, age information, activities and booking availability. If you need school holiday childcare for some of the days you’re working, you can find the venue that works best for your family and see what is currently available.
Find your nearest Active Camp and view current availability