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...

Is it the norm for reception age kids to have consoles?

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I didn't mean that to sound judgemental by the way. Just genuinely shocked!!

I hate them and I really think it's had a negative affect on my brothers life. He has always been addicted to them since he was young so I'm not sure if I'm projecting.

All settings that have children of reception age and younger must include the EYFS. There is no distinction between childcare and education. There should be a range of activities available. I suspect they have a group of older children who have steered away from 'playing' and prefer their consoles and this has become a poor habit. When you drop off just say your son doesn't have/enjoy a console and he would prefer other things to do. It isn't difficult to get the lego out! Our holiday club has at least one adult led activity every morning and afternoon with things like baking and crafts. Sounds like the staff have got into a rut.

I grudgingly let my DC (aged 7 and 8) have an hour each playing video games on our living room PC each day on Sat and Sun. The fact that they go insane when it's time to come off it and that they get up super-early to sneak in extra time (DS2 woke up at 2am and went straight to it recently ) tells me that they do NOT need any more time than they already have!! They'd play all day if they could I have stood firm against consoles too. Surprised to hear reception kids routinely have them!

Firstly get your facts straight. Were they really allowed to play them all day, or is your son blowing up 30-60 minutes at lunchtime into a whole day?

We use an excellent holiday club where they bring in loads of different activity providers to keep it interesting. My children do tonnes there. They are also allowed 30 mins or so on their console if they like, once during the day, if parents have sanctioned it.

I can imagine a very small child getting this out of proportion if there was a point during the day when no one wanted to play with him.

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?

Op can't possibly know that, the other parents might be similarly frustrated and just sucking it up for now until they can find an alternative.
Op, firstly find out what their rules are.... yes they said he can bring a console but they could have meant for that last hour or lunchtime as pp said.
I'd wonder if DS is trying it on an over exaggerating a bit in order to be allowed his console.
As a first port of call I'd ask to see the manager and ask direct questions about an activity time table, console restrictions and alternatives for kids without consoles.
If it turns out that they really ARE letting them play consoles all day, take it up with the club provider (school in this case?) because that's unacceptable and lazy.

I chair a management committee for a not for profit holiday playscheme from age 4 and we absolutely do have to operate under the EYFS.

We have found Ofsted to be quite particular about the activities on offer for EYFS children.

If they are properly registered as providing childcare then they have to follow very similar terms as they do during after school sessions (in fact I’d bet they’re running on their asc registration)

Also if they are accessing any funding for the holiday club (local council, national lottery etc) they will not want to put any funding toward somewhere with no activities - especially as atm the best way to get any money is healthy eating and getting kids moving.

Who runs the club?

@WordsAndWorlds I hope you managed to speak to the staff about it, and your son had more engaging activities today.

I'm still wondering if there was a daily plan / weekly theme available before you signed up.

It doesn't sound like a proper holiday club if they don't have activities, sports etc arranged and put on for the children

My DC1 is reception and has never played on a console let alone own one.

Is this the norm for 4-5 yr olds nowadays?