Caring for Children

At Hopscotch Holiday Club, we extend our expert care beyond the early years to support children aged 4 to 11 in our holiday clubs. With over 35 years of experience, we ensure the health, safety, and well-being children through the following measures:

Maintaining Safe Ratios

We follow best practice guidance by maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios. Typically, this means a minimum of 1:12 for children aged 4–8 and 1:15 for children aged 8–11, with at least two staff members always present to support effective supervision and safeguarding.

Personalised Support

Each child is assigned a group leader, helping them build trusting relationships and providing continuity of care, especially during longer holiday club sessions.

Qualified, Experienced Staff

Our staff team includes qualified playworkers, teaching assistants, and early years practitioners, trained in child development, safeguarding, and paediatric first aid. Team members are carefully selected for their ability to engage and inspire older children.

Age-Appropriate Activities and Environments

Activities are planned around children's interests, with a focus on fun, creativity, independence, and friendship-building. We create spaces that promote free play, quiet time, physical activity, and group games.

Mixed-Age Interaction and Peer Support

Children have opportunities to interact with peers across age groups, fostering mentoring, cooperation, and inclusion—while also ensuring younger children are supported appropriately.

Daily Risk Assessments

We carry out daily safety checks on our environment and equipment—including sports gear, art supplies, and outdoor play areas—to ensure all activities are safe and suitable for school-aged children.

Safety-First Approach

We use clear signage, child-safe furniture, and other physical safeguards to prevent accidents. Staff maintain vigilant supervision during all sessions, indoors and outdoors.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

With special attention to high-touch surfaces and shared materials. We promote good hygiene habits among children, including regular handwashing.

Child-Led Learning and Fun

Activities are guided by the children's ideas, needs, and stages of development, in line with the principles of the EYFS and KS1/KS2 developmental milestones. We encourage curiosity, teamwork, and personal growth in a safe, nurturing environment