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Information
Vital Play is registered with Ofsted and is a, not-for-profit, Community Interest Company. The club is normally open from 3.15pm until 6.00pm, or 6.30 with an extension, weekdays, during term time.
We are based in Archdeacon Cambridge’s Primary School. We have access to five rooms, two playgrounds, the nature area, and a large hall.
Homework Help
The junior children are given homework to do by their schools. The children can complete their homework at the Study Zone. We believe that by doing this before they go home with their parents the children are free to have a relaxed evening with their families. When supporting the children with their homework our attitude is that any interested parent takes when supporting their children with homework. We know that many families have a lot going on and we hope that not having homework to worry about will allow for a stress-free evening.
The Study Zone is not school, and we provide a relaxed and comfortable place for the children to work in – it is not silent, but it is productive. We want to promote independence and resilience in the children towards their work. The staff are interested in what the children are doing and are at hand if the children need help. The staff will help to minimise distractions, encourage the children with their work and check the finished product.
The staff don’t do their homework for them as we want the children to be independent with their work. However, staff will encourage, advise, and support with homework tasks. The children who don’t have homework are encouraged to read for half an hour.
Play
Play can support children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. We provide opportunities for children to play in order to enhance their well-being. The children are able to play with the wide range of resources. We believe that play should be self-initiated by the child. Games and resources can be used unconventionally to allow originality in play, and is encouraged as this type of play is creative and aids the child’s creative thinking.
Outdoor play is essential to children, as being one of their favourite things to do. We will go outside even if the weather is bad or dark.
Children and young people are allowed to be downtime as this is frequently cited as the root of creativity and is considered to be where children’s play ideas originate. We understand that children learn through play so we provide a wide range of interesting, stimulating, and entertaining activities and equipment to engage and extend the children’s skills and thinking.
Staffing
The Club is staffed by the Director/Manager Richard, the Nest deputy manager Jordan, the Study Zone deputy manager Owen, and a team of playworkers and kitchen staff and supported by an administrator.
We have a strong staff team with lots of experience. All our playworkers have appropriate DBS checks. In the Nest the staff to child ratio will meet or exceed the levels set in the EYFS. In the Study Zone we aim provide a high staff to child ratio that allows us to provide good homework support.
