Four Towns Summer Play Scheme

The scheme is a supported by an association of four Town Councils, Southern Brooks Community Partnership, and local charities and businesses who continue to offer help and support for this important project. The Association meets to monitor and support the smooth running of the play scheme throughout the year.

This will vary from each location but usually there will be a mix of activities including:

·   Arts and crafts

·   Sports

·   Outdoor and indoor games

Many of the activities undertaken continue to encourage learning and creative play. Each location has a team leader with three play workers. Each team will bring different skills to their group. When we recruit staff to the play-scheme, we try and spread this skill base around so that all sites are equipped with a variety of skilled staff. However, it may be worth checking out different locations to see how they do things differently or to experience their approach to dance, sport, painting and games.

The scheme is insured for children from five years to eleven years of age. Unfortunately, we cannot accept children that are in reception but are not yet five. This is due to funding and insurance. If your child is five during the scheme, they can then join us on or after their 5th birthday. We are also unable to accept children over eleven years of age for the same reasons.

You do not have to book a place to join the scheme. All locations start 10.30am- 12.30pm and start back at 1.30pm-3.30pm. The scheme shuts down for one hour over lunch.

To participate in a scheme, simply arrive in good time to each location. You will be asked to fill in a consent form for your child. The form will ask for:

·   Contact details

·   Age

·   Emergency contacts

·   Allergies

On each form we ask you to sign an agreement that all the information is correct as well as to agree or decline the media/ photography. There are a few questions on the reverse of the form which asks for ethnicity, disabilities/ additional needs and housing. These are asked as they help obtain funding for the scheme.

You will only be asked to fill in a consent form once for each location that you visit. Staff will use your details to make up a register of attendees which will be used to ensure the safety of your child whilst in our care. The booking form also makes for a more smooth and speedy entry and exit for you and your child.

All children must be accompanied by an adult unless you fill out the consent form and declare that you are happy for child to arrive with another person (who must be over 18years old). Each child must be signed in and out of each session.

No, sorry. We are not covered to care for your child over the lunch hour. This is a time for staff to have a break and leave the premises. All children must be collected at the end of each session promptly.

Some of the locations get quite busy over the summer and we have had to turn some of you away. This is because we are only covered by our insurance to support up to 40 children in each location per session. Because the scheme is free and operates on a first come first basis, there is no guarantee of a place. However, we recommend that you make use of all the locations and arrive early.

There are four sites to visit and not all are as busy. For some children, the quieter locations might suit their needs better. Please don’t be put off if one location has turned you away. You may also like to arrive promptly to help avoid disappointment.

At each locality, there will be team leader. Sometimes speaking to them can help, but if your query is more detailed, please use the number listed to contact the coordinator of the project, who will be happy to help.

Play scheme is a messy place. Children like to play with paint and other messy stuff. It is best for your child to wear clothes that they and you don’t mind getting messy. Also, if you think that your child might play some of the games like rounders or running, trainers are best.