Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that selecting daycare for school holidays can be difficult, so we've answered some of the most frequent queries parents have when making a reservation us. If the answer to your query is not listed below, please give our Customer Service Team a call at 07555748776; they would be pleased to assist you.
WHAT TIME ARE YOU OPEN?
This will depend on the camp and location. Some of our camps are full day and some are half day. Please refer to the booking pages for more details about start and end times for each camp.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Our half-day camps start from as little as £18 per session. However, as camp times vary at each site, as do the prices. Please refer to the booking page for prices per day at each site.
WHEN ARE YOU RUNNING?
Most of our camps run for 1 week during half term, 2 weeks during Christmas and Easter holidays and for 6 weeks during the Summer holidays. Specfic dates and times can be found at the booking page.
MY CHILD DOES NOT ENJOY SPORT. WILL THEY STILL BE KEPT ENTERTAINED?
Yes our objective is to ensure that every child has a fantastic time. Not only do we have plenty of activities in addition to sports, such as board games, toys, water games, inflatables, scooters and arts and crafts, but we give children the option of choosing activities they would like to do during the day (Free choice activities). During registration, we also ask parents to state their child's like and dislikes. This is taken into consideration when instructors confirm activities each day.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE THERE?
Every day is different as we want to ensure that child take on new experiences and don't get bored. We offer many different sports and extreme activities such as archery, Archery Tag, Sumo Suits, Giant inflatables, Splat ball alongside lots of fun Arts and Crafts activities. For a full break-down of activities, please refer to:
ITS A LONG DAY, DO CHILDREN HAVE BREAKS?
Yes, children have 2 breaks and a 1-hour lunch-break for full day camps. They have one break and a lunch break for half-day camps. Breaks and lunch times give children the opportunity to eat, drink and digest their food followed by free-play activities which usually take place outside under strict supervision.
DO YOU PROVIDE LUNCH?
Yes, at some of our camps we do provide a hot meal, squash and fruit for an additional charge. Please refer to the booking page as it will clearly state 'plus hot meal' as an additional extra, at the time of booking. All allergies and preferences (such as vegetarian option) are collected at the time of booking and sent to our caterer who will cater for your child accordingly.
HOW CAN I ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD WHILST IN YOUR CARE?
Your child's safety and welfare is our top priority. Our director is a previous Headteacher and has worked in education for over 22 years. He creates a culture where all staff, parents and children treat safety very seriously. This includes ensure that the site is fit for purpose, writing and regularly updating risk assessments to minimise risk of hazards at camp, applying our strict child-adult ratios and recruiting the most suitable staff to look after the children.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD IS UNWELL AND CANNOT ATTEND?
Please can you email us on kjames@apfactivitycamps.com to let us know that your child cannot attend. Unfortunately, There is no refund available if you notify us less than 48 hours in advance of the day or dates you would like to cancel. Please refer to section 6 of our terms and conditions for more information:
HOW DO I BOOK?
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON DISCIPLINE AND BEHAVIOUR?
The organization is responsible for the health and safety of every child, with a zero tolerance policy for bullying and discrimination. They reserve the right to request parents' exclusion, with unused days not reimbursed and parents responsible for additional expenses. Despite this, we do acknowledge that children need support and guidance and we use our professionalism and a warning system for low level poor behaviour. This normally includes the following steps:
1. Verbal warning
2. Time out (and parents informed at the end of the day)
3. Extended time out with Site Manager (and parents called to discuss concern immediately.
HOW ELSE DO YOU ENCOURAGE GOOD BEHAVIOUR AT CAMP?
We acknowledge that all children are different. This means that although we treat all children 'equally', this doesn't always mean we treat all children the same way. For example, we sometimes show leniency for our most vulnerable children (such as those who have specific needs). In addition to this, we try to use positive reinforcement by rewarding children with our Super-Star awards at the end of each day for positive behaviours role-modeled to the rest of the group.
CAN I OBSERVE OR VISIT MY CHILD WHILST ON CAMP?
We usually don't allow parents to stay on camp after children have been signed in, However, we do appreciate that some children get anxious if it is their first time at camp. If this is the cae, parents are welcome to stay with their child's group for a while until their child is settled.
DO YOU CHARGE FOR LATE PICK-UPS?
We respecfully ask that you pick your child up on-time as we have to vacate the building shotly after pick-up time. There will be a small fee for parents who are more than 10 minutes late. If this is the case, please can you contact us to let us know you are running late. In addition, we do have early drop-off and late pick up options at some of our camps - further details can be found at the booking stage.
WHAT AGE DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE TO ATTEND CAMP?
Most of our camps are for children aged 4-14 however, some camps slightly differ and this will be made clear at on the booking page. Our sports camps are usually for children aged 7-14 and our SEND camps are for children aged 4-16.
CAN MY CHILD SIGN THEMSELVES IN AND OUT OF CAMP?
This option is available if your child is aged 11 and over. If you prefer your child to sign themselves on and out on their own, please email us to let us know. Children aged 4-10 must be accompanied by an adult.
WHO ARE YOUR STAFF?
Our staff consist of trained teacher and coaches. They also have appropriate first aid training and safeguarding training. Our Director is a trained Headteacher (NPQH) with 22 years' expericne in education and holiday camps. He is also our safeguarding Lead.
WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BRING TO CAMP?
Please can children bring the following items to camp:
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An apron or shirt for creative activities
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Swimming costume and towel (if swimming takes place)
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A water bottle and packed lunch (if we are not providing lunch for your child)
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For cooler weather: warm comfortable clothes including a jacket/coat and jumper
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For sports camps, Football boots/astro trainers, Shin pads, extra tracksuit.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS POOR?
We choose locations which will allow us to use indoor facilities when the weather is poor. This usually includes a sports hall so children can participate in all of the fun activities. There are a few activities which may not take place such as water games however, we will still ensure your child has a fantastic day at camp.
WHAT ARE YOUR CHILD-TO-STAFF RATIOS?
CAN MY CHILD BE WITH THEIR FRIEND OR SIBLING?
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Yes, provided that the two kids agree to the request and share a similar age range (with a maximum two-year age gap).
AM I ABLE TO SEE THE TIMETABLE OF ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE EACH DAY?
Yes, we normally send parents a copy of the timetable a few days before camp starts. Alternatively, this is displayed at the sign-in area when you arrive on your child's first day.
WILL MY CHILD BE GROUPED WITH CHILDREN OF A SIMILAR AGE?
Yes, generally children are split into 3 groups. Group 1 is for children aged 4-6 , group 2 is for children aged 7-9 and group 3 is for children aged 10-14. We sometimes move children into other groups to ensure there is a equal balance and that all children are comfortable and settled. We also join groups in the afternoon for fun House competitions.
WHICH ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
All activities outlined on the timetable are included in the price and we do not charge extra for extreme activities such as Splat ball, Electric Go-karts and inflatables. The only additional charge is for food (if this is avaiable) and early drop-off or late pick-up).
ARE ALL ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE AT EVERY LOCATION?
We are aware of how popular archery, sumo suits, and inflatables are, so we aim to ensure sure that children take part in them on a daily basis.
At some camps, you may also enjoy our popular gladiator joust (7+), splat ball (7+), electric go-karts, and swimming (4+) for no additional cost. Please send us an email if your child will be participating in these activities every day, as we cannot guarantee it.
CAN MY CHILD CHOOSE THEIR ACTIVITIES?
Children will have a list of preferred activities to pick from during free-choice time, which occurs once a day. Whether your children are new to camp or are returning for a day, a week, or the entire season, camp stays exciting with a daily schedule change.
WHAT IF MY CHILD NEEDS EXTRA HELP?
Our "open to all children" policy aims to be as inclusive as possible. To make sure your child can participate in APF Activity Camp programme and whether any additional preparations need to be made, please email or call us to discuss your child's individual needs. We are pleased to accept a child's caretaker on Camp, subject to standard DBS checks, even if we are unable to provide additional staff for any children. However, this must not interfere with the other children's enjoyment and engagement in the group.
We also offer SEND specific camps and will look to offer small group or 121 support for additional fees. You can find more information about our SEND provision here:
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION?
Please provide as much information as you can about your child's medical history and current medications when making your reservation so that we can properly look after them while they are at camp. Before Camp, we might need you to complete some more forms; these will be sent to you together with your confirmation email. When you come on your first day, all the information you provide when making your reservation will be in the hands of our personnel at Camp. Please be aware that we will only give the kid any medication that has been prescribed by a medical expert.
CAN I BOOK THE CAMPS EVEN IF SOME SESSIONS HAVE ALREADY STARTED?
Yes, at most of our camps, we have an open booking so that parents can book each day right up until the morning before camp starts. Please refer to the booking site to see if the day you are looking to book is available. If it isn't available, please contact us to see if we can book your child on to camp at.
CAN SOMEONE ELSE COLLECT MY CHILD AT THE END OF THE DAY?
Yes this is allowed at camp however it is important that you let us know in the morning that someone else will be collecting your child. The person collecting will be required to show the sie manger photographic Identification or state your unique password (this is collected at the time of booking).
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS AN ALLERGY?
We are a nut-free camp as we acknowledge that this is the safest cay of keeping children who are allergic to nuts, safe. You will be asked if your child has any allergies at the time of booking and if this is the case we will do all to keep them safe. This may include keeping them away from other children at snack/lunchtime so they are not in contact with such food items. All children are required to wash their hands prior to and at the end of eating and, our site managers are trained in Epipen which covers common causes of allergic reactions.
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS DIFFICULTY SETTLING IN?
Our instructors will be aware if it is your child's first day and will do everything to ensure they are settled. On the rare occasion that they do not settle, our Site Manger may call you to let you know and discuss the next steps. We are also happy to drop you a text during the day to update you on how they are getting on as we appreaite that you may like to be kept informed.