Things to look for when choosing a Holiday Playscheme

• You know your child best, so look for a holiday play scheme that you feel will suit your child's needs
• You may not be able to see a group in operation before you book a place as they only run in the holidays. Does your child have a friend or friends who already use a group that they can recommend? Having a friend to go with can make a strange place a lot less worrying.

If you can see the group in operation

• Are the children calm, safe and happy?
• Do children play and talk together?
• Are the staff listening to children and answering them carefully?
• Are the staff friendly and proud of their work?
• Are the staff joining in with what the children are doing?
• Are there lots of fun activities planned to help children learn and play?
• Are there plenty of clean toys, games and equipment for children to use?
• Is the premises clean, well-kept and safe for children? Do they have access to an outside play area (or will children go to parks and other places regularly)?
• Are parents encouraged to say what they want for their children?