Re: Consoles at Holiday Club?

[WordsAndWorlds]

DH and I have to use holiday care approx 1 week per holiday as not enough allowance to cover it all between us and no family around.

The school before/after club is usually good, so we use them for holiday too. But this Easter, turned up for youngest DS...he's all upset as all the 'cool toys' have been put away and says everyone just played consoles that they brought from home all day.

2 of the staff then confirm this by coming over and telling me he can bring his console tomorrow. He's only Reception year. I was a bit taken aback and didn't say anything.

DH and I not happy - according to DS there's no craft stuff, no activities and very limited toys, just a choice of playing in the yard alone or consoles. We don't like the thought of him stuck there like that for his holiday with no proper stimulation and high chance of him losing/ damaging his console too.

We don't really know what to say to the club as we have very few options but to use them. Seems bizarre to me that all the other parents are totally fine about this...

Apologies for lack of spaces by the way - I put them in but for some reason they disappear when publishing

Just tell the club no; he’s not bring his console and he’d like the other stuff back out?

What about the kids who don't have consoles?

Get them to bring the old stuff out, I bet people will join in with him.

Don't go in all judgy about it. Be casual and factual: he doesn't have a console so can you make sure there are other activities arranged.

If same happens today complain.

And yes, that is pants. I've never sent DS to a club that encourages this.

If it's run by school/council then they should be planning activities for each area, e.g. craft area, games area, construction area.... sounds like very lazy staff! I would be asking the staff why provision for play is absent and if you're not satisfied then there will be an area supervisor you can share your concerns with.

How was it advertised? What facilities did they say there would be? I'd be cross too, it's quite sad really

Our holiday club does special days e.g. computer club day, roller disco day, park day, Lego day etc. I'd not be happy with 10 hours of consoles.

YANBU that sounds awful.

We use the same provider in holiday time to term time. The rules on phones/consoles are more relaxed in holiday club but they're only allowed at certain times of the day. The rest of the time is craft stuff, team games, board games and baking. It's all pre-written and given to parents in advance too.

Wow! Our school does a holiday club run by sports coaches. It's mega cheap as funded by Sports funding. They do sport and craft all day, with free play and things like den building.

I'd be very pointedly saying that this is not what I'm paying for and (if it's a school run holiday club) I'd complain to the head.

Geez what do the staff do all day if the kids are doing that most of the day?

My 7 year old would hate this, she doesn't have or want a console. It sounds horrible.

They did have consoles back when my DD's went but they were provided by the club and they took turns, there were lots of other stuff. Smartphones weren't as common, certainly not for kids then. I can remember them being allowed to take Nintendo ds's in on one day as a treat

If he is reception age and staying for more than 2 years then surely they must be operating under the EYFS, which is pretty strict on stimulating activities, building friendships and being outside doing activities?

I would ask to look at their policies on play and ask them how a day with a console meets the EYFS requirements.

Was there a daily plan / weekly theme available before you signed up? Most clubs have a plan of each day, even if it's just

Morning Baking, pirate craft, pirate games

Afternoon, outdoor treasure hunt, movie

I know a lot of holiday clubs allow some time for gadgets, but it's usually restricted to an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. However, what your son is experiencing sounds like laziness from the staff.

Has he bought home any makes or pictures since attending, and what do the staff say he's been doing when you collect?

If they are normally good I would just ask if they could get out some of the old stuff.

Send him somewhere else? Sounds like the other parents don't care so I can't see them changing policy just for you and your DS?

Ask them why the policy has changed. I'd also ask them what the deal is with insurance for the consoles (we don't allow kids to bring their own stuff to the afterschool care or playscheme I'm involved in as the insurance is a nightmare).

Also are they playing on wifi to play with each other? What safeguards are in place for wifi? What's the deal with age limits on games as well? Who runs and funds the holiday club? Are they registered?

I'd be looking elsewhere tbh and putting in a complaint about the service unless yesterday was 'console day' and they are just allowing your DS to bring his in as he missed out because it wasn't well known.

Thanks all I did wonder if we were just expecting too much. They are usually good during term time, we'll try speaking to them and see if it makes any difference. We have very few other options in our area for the days and hours we need sadly

Holiday clubs really don't have to follow the EYFS (it's childcare not education)

however a range of stimulating activities/outdoor play experiences should be offered as a given.

Out of curiosity how much are you paying daily for this and is food provided?

Maybe find a sports club? Then see if you can find a local children minder or even a student who will do the wrap around.

I had a similar issue with children being allowed to play on consoles rather than taking part in the sports activities I wanted. I have moved my son to a sports only football camp and I am much happier but unfortunately if you don't have wraparound child care the hours are shorter.

Also extend your search to the areas where you work.

I would be questioning the safeguarding aspect, are they playing their own games, are they able to interact with strangers. Are they playing age appropriate games, will the underage be stopped from watching an age rated game. What's the age range?

Mine are allowed to take consoles to play at lunchtime. But the rest of the day is activity.
I wouldn't send them anywhere that let them stick to screens all day.

I help a friend run a holiday club at times.

We do it in a school so the computer room is available. The usual rule of thumb is that the last hour of the day children can use the suite if they want however other activities remain available.

If the weather is extremely poor and we can’t do the outdoor activities, we might add in an hour in the morning but no more.

A full day on consoles from home isn’t appropriate not least because I would doubt they’re monitoring content!

I wouldn't be happy with this at all. Its lazy and just not good enough. I would not be paying for my child to be stuck in front of a screen.

Yep ask them why it's changed! My DD4 doesn't have / has never used a console, so wouldn't work for us and I wouldn't be paying for her to be babysat by a screen either!