Holiday club - would you think this is normal?

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My DD is just turning 5 and has recently finished reception. First child so we have limited experience of school holidays. At Easter she did a week at a holiday club for sports. It was really good and the communication from the organisation was excellent. At drop off on Day 1 I went into the hall with DD and signed her in and they introduced her team leader so I was able to put a face to the name. Then after every day they sent an email newsletter with highlights from the day including descriptions of the activities they’d done and photos. On the last day they held a mini celebration which parents were invited to so you got a really good sense of what they’d been up to at the club all week.

Now for Summer holidays we’ve signed DD up for 2 weeks at a well known holiday club, Camp Beaumont. The emails were quite minimal and I had to chase them for further information last week about timings and details as they didn’t send me anything except the receipt for payment. On arrival on Day 1 they just ticked DD’s name off a list and then took her through the door inside a building which parents weren’t allowed in. So we didn’t get to see any of the coaches / team leaders or get any vibe.

DD doesn’t really share much information after school and is quiet, and so I knew I wouldn’t get that much out of her about what she’s been up to, but there is also zero information from the organisation. I literally have no idea what’s happened this week so far.

There was a list of activities posted on the door but it said it only gives “an idea” of a typical day. When I asked DD if she did any of those activities she said no or looked confused. She mentioned some children were sent to another room for misbehaving today but I could not get much more info. I have asked it she’s had a nice time and if the teachers are kind she has said yes.

Also no-one checks ID or asks my name at pick up and I literally just said my DD’s name and they brought her straight out which I thought was poor as anyone could just turn up saying they are a child’s key person.

I only have one prior holiday club to compare to so I’m not sure if all the above is normal, to be expected and the lack of communication shouldn’t be a worry, but to me it feels a bit frustrating and slightly concerning.

Has anyone ever used this company or have any experience of holiday clubs and can share their views?

I don't know Beaumont but we used Barracudas and I would say that is a similar experience.

I found a company as large as these aren't really interested to form a personal bond or provide tons of information to the parents.

When DD went to more local sport/drama etc related clubs where the club hoped to get the children to enrol for extra curricular activities all year round, there was definitely more information and personal touch given to us.

We did 5 years of Summer camps and DD normally had a good time so I think it's something a parent may have to accept especially if there is not a lot of 8-6 options available.

I would query the pick up procedure though, I remember DH got a token he had to show and obviously a child at that age is able to say if the collecting person is not a stranger.

Sounds pretty standard. These clubs tend to be more geared towards older kids. We have to choose quite carefully for our 5yo. I’ve certainly never had the level of info and involvement you describe at your first club. But some are a better fit for little kids than others.

I've used many holiday clubs over the years and they've all been the same as the second one.

I've never, ever been allowed into the room or had an email newsletter.

By school age the kids are old enough to tell you whether they're happy or not and that really my only concern.

Interesting. I still think the pick up procedures are dodgy though. I’m a school teacher and we would never let a child go without knowing the person picking them up personally or having some form of ID if it’s an additional adult.

My son is 10 and I've never had to show ID or anything to pick him up. All the clubs and activities seem to rely on the child identifying their caregiver at pick-up, until they're old enough to leave on their own.

He's always gone to a local holiday/after school club and it's pretty casual so it's fine to chat to staff and they get to know the kids and their families quite well.

Yeah pretty standard from my experience.
I've never had an email of what they have been up to either and I've always just walked in and asked for my child. I use them as little as possible.