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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be unsure about handing my child over to an enormous summer playscheme with hundreds of kids?

48 replies

icelandicsaga · 03/07/2014 20:54

There is a church run playscheme for one week in the holidays. They take getting on for 900 children and it is run by volunteers who come (mostly) from nearby churches. It's on a massive field - with marquees. DS is (just about)7 and I'm sure would enjoy the craft/games/activities but I am having a bit of a problem with the idea of dropping him off in a massive field with a load of people I have never met and trusting them to look after him. From what I gather there is quite a strong bible instruction vibe to the whole thing which I am not at all keen on, but it seems a fair deal in that they are looking after your child for 5 hours a day. Am I just being silly?

OP posts:
AndHarry · 03/07/2014 21:03

Are you part of the church? If not and you're not happy with the religious aspect then don't send him.

If you are happy to send him regardless of the religion bit then I'm sure the organizers will be happy to answer questions about supervision. I would be very surprised if children were allowed to wander around at will with no one in particular keeping tabs on them.

toomuchicecream · 03/07/2014 21:03

If it's like the one I helped at for years (it sounds very, very similar) then your child will be absolutely fine. The way that one works was that the children are organised into groups of approx 10 with an adult and a teenager to look after them. So they get the best of both worlds - being part of a smaller group and enjoying the buzz of being part of a huge crowd. At the start and end of the day when all the children are together they are with their group leaders so if there are any problems they can pick up on them straight away. All volunteers will have provided references, have a current DBS and have attended training too.

MrsWinnibago · 03/07/2014 21:07

Well then don't do it. I wouldn;t myself but know plenty of people who are happy to do similar. It's a matter of personal opinion and feeling....

Original poster
icelandicsaga · 03/07/2014 21:10

toomuch, I suppose I'm just worried that he might wander off and nobody would notice. I'm also not sure about the religious side. What did you think of atheists sending their children to you and 'using' you as cheap childcare? We are very open with DC about the fact that religion is something some people believe in that makes them feel better - but that we don't believe a single word of it ourselves.

OP posts:
EllaFitzgerald · 03/07/2014 21:56

There was a non religious version of this when we were kids. Every kid within a 4 mile radius descended on the local rec. where, for a week every summer, there was a cricket pavilion with a tuck shop and craft classes, races, inflatables and loads of other bits and pieces going on. I think they did a day trip to the beach on the last day as well. No parents and about ten adults, maximum. We had an amazing time and looked forward to it every year. It's made me feel very nostalgic.

RockandRollsuicide · 03/07/2014 22:25

Ice I had this thought too about a holiday club near us...

After consideration I have rejected it....too many strangers I dont know...too many children...bit of a free for all.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 03/07/2014 22:28

YANBU.

I would not send my dc to such a big club knowing nobody, and especially if you don't believe in the underlying ethos of it.

christinarossetti · 03/07/2014 22:29

That sounds like a huge number of children, leaving aside any religious aspect.

It sounds more like a festival than a playscheme!

Is there a smaller one that you could use instead?

Rachie1986 · 03/07/2014 22:32

My church run a holiday club (on a minute scale compared to what you're talking about).

To us, we don't mind what beliefs children or their families have at all. Obviously it is outreach for us and therefore religious but nothing is forced on children and it is a lot about having fun and enjoying themselves. We know most of the children we have don't share the same beliefs at all.

Tangerinefairy · 03/07/2014 22:49

Are there really going to be 900 children?! That does not sound like a good plan AT ALL. I speak as a teacher who is used to being in charge of alot of children during the day but I know them all well and understand their ways. I really would not go anywhere near a scheme as huge and manic sounding as that.

Minions · 03/07/2014 22:51

In terms of supervision I would ask how they run the day, ensure all the kids are accounted for etc to get some reassurance. I've helped on several church run holiday clubs (smaller scale) and the kids have been well looked after.

All holiday clubs will welcome children regardless of their or their family's beliefs. We love to have the opportunity to share our faith with others. I wasn't brought up in church, my parents are not believers. I asked to go to clubs like this as I loved them and was always made welcome. My mum probably found it a bit weird but allowed me to go as I wanted to. I made my own decision to become a Christian when I was older but as a kid i had no links with a church.

If you get reassurance about how the kids are looked after and you think your kid will enjoy the activities then I would go for it. You're open and honest with you kid about your own beliefs, this will be an opportunity for your DS to see what other people believe.

ICanSeeTheSun · 03/07/2014 22:55

No way would either of DC be going to a play scheme like that until they are old enough to go out and play unsupervised and have a mobile phone.

cerealqueen · 03/07/2014 23:08

I wouldn't be comfortable about the numbers of children, too big.

The religious aspect would not bother me, religion is something some people do, and some don't. Important to learn about it though, as it pays such a big part of world affairs.

Galvanized · 03/07/2014 23:14

Do you know the ratio of adults to kids? You should be assessing this in the same way as you would have for a pre-school or nursery few years ago. Yanbu but that's not to say it won't be a fun week for your ds assuming it's all well coordinated!

BranchingOut · 03/07/2014 23:14

No.

Why volunteers and not properly qualified play-workers?

Are these volunteers going to be properly trained to provide for children with SEN, disabilites or medical needs?

I work in the children's sector and feel very Hmm when I hear of these kind of events/programmes.

He would probably have the time of his life, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best way to provide summer-holiday care for children.

STOPwiththehahaheheloling · 03/07/2014 23:18

900??

Shock

How many adults, qualified first aiders, paid staff, volunteers, age of youngest helpers/staff, childcare quals, ratios, size of groups.

Tbh i wouldnt. Not just for the religious aspect but i think even my really sociable dcs would find tht really overwhelming.

Heels99 · 03/07/2014 23:18

900 kids?

No I wouldn't do it. I do send mine to holiday clubs but they have 50 kids max and lots of qualified staff and it is in a purpose built environment with very good security. The huge number of kids would put me off.

Thenapoleonofcrime · 03/07/2014 23:19

900 seems a huge amount, it would be that which would put me off, especially aged 7- aged 9/10 with a mobile would be much better.

The religious side though- the issue is with you, not them. They will be happy to have any children along, there is no inspection of belief. It is you who your children will question about why you would send them to a religious camp when you aren't religious. I would, just for the experience- mine are Christian anyway, but if the chance came up to go to say a Hindu children's event for a week, I would send them, I'm all for experiencing and learning about faith.

Tigerbike · 03/07/2014 23:29

Is it like this?

www.holidaybibleweek.co.uk/about

Iswallowedawatermelon · 04/07/2014 02:21

No way would I allow this.

I cannot believe it has been approved as child care tbh.

Very concerning.

ProcessYellowC · 04/07/2014 02:51

Would you be prepared if your DS finished the week deciding that he was a Christian and that he wanted to continue to follow the faith? You may have told him your viewpoints on religion, but I'm sure after a week some pretty persuasive points will be put to him.

Retropear · 04/07/2014 06:59

No way would I allow it,you'd have to be mad.How on earth are they getting away with those numbers?If anybody else was to set up something similar the safe guarding,risk assessments,CRB checks would be a huge task.Have they done all that.

And re the religious aspect, they do enough in school.Very uncomfortable with kids being subjected to more.Kind of getting the feeling the organisers are preying on families wanting holiday childcare.

SavoyCabbage · 04/07/2014 07:07

Is it free? There are ones here and they are free run by volunteers. There is no way I would do this.

sonlypuppyfat · 04/07/2014 07:08

Why would you even consider a church if you have no faith. Its hardly hiding the fact that they will have religious teaching and yet you don't like it.

AliMonkey · 04/07/2014 07:13

We run something similar - except 200 kids and all held inside our (large) church. Our ratios are very good - over 100 adults plus about 50 teenagers. Kids come from a variety of backgrounds and we happily welcome them and share our faith with them - but all within the context of a really fun and active time. All are DBS checked, many are teachers or similar and many of us have been helping annually for 10+ years. You may find ratios much better than a club run for profit as there's no concern about eating into profits if you have more staff. Every child is allocated to a group of 4-8 children with at least 1 adult and teenagers then other adults run the activities, catering, security etc. My quiet shy child loves it though I was very concerned the first time I sent him - although he does have advantage if it being familiar place and many familiar people.

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