After School,
Holiday
&
The Little Kids'
Club
The Kids’ Club and The Little Kids’ Club provide high quality, very flexible and affordable after school and holiday care for children from the age of 3 up to 12 years+.
Playwork is our profession and we exist to support children’s right and need to play. The Clubs dedicate themselves to provide happy, safe and stimulating environments. We understand children’s need for play.
Our aim is to facilitate a wide range of play opportunities for the children, where they have the freedom to choose what they would like to do; to provide an environment in which they will feel emotionally and physically safe, valued and motivated.
Play is a process, one that is flexible, inquisitive, creative and unique to each child.
” When we are playing is when we are most alive, most truly ourselves. “
(Perry Else – The Value of Play)
The Kids’ Club was launched in May 2001. The school, together with parents and members of the community identified a need for after school and holiday care in the Parish of St Mary and it’s neighbouring parishes. During the Club’s infancy, great support was provided by the Parish in the form of premises and a valued and respected relationship has continued ever since.
The majority of our new families are through recommendation and referrals. We work hard to meet and understand the needs of our parents/carers, providing the same level of service holistically to all.
The Kids’ Club is located in St Mary’s Youth and Community Centre which is accessible via a large carpark with it’s own entrance in the heart of St Mary. It has excellent facilities for the children to enjoy such as a tennis court, playing fields, a public outdoor playground and a large multi-use indoor sports hall. Our building is accessible for all. The Club enjoys its own large designated open-plan area within the centre with a central open kitchen, under-floor heating with direct access to the outside areas. A variety of activities, toys and resources are provided including arts and crafts, where the emphasis is on self-directed play. We don’t separate the children dependant on their year groups, we encourage natural relationships to be formed. The benefits to the children of not being separated far outweigh the added pressure on us!
Our After School Club is currently accommodating between 40 and 75 children daily.
We are very pleased to be able to offer our after school service to our neighbouring parishes. We offer a pick-up service from St John’s School, Les Landes School and St Peter’s School. We have good strong working relations with our feeder schools and work closely with staff within the schools for smoother transitions for the children.
The children have the added benefit of meeting and forming friendships with children from other schools.
Our school-aged Holiday Club is currently accommodating between 40 and 75 children.
Currently during the holidays, it is only The Kids’ Club and The Little Kids’ Club who operate out of centre during the day, giving us more access and freedom of movement.