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At our camp, we prioritise creating a dynamic, interactive environment where staff are actively involved with the children. Our staff are not just supervisors; they are mentors and facilitators who play a hands-on role in the activities.

Throughout the day, staff engage with children by:

• Leading and participating in activities: Whether it’s arts and crafts, sports, games, or group discussions, our staff are always involved, encouraging creativity, teamwork, and fun.
• Guiding play: Our staff actively observe and interact during playtime, helping children explore new ideas, resolve conflicts, and develop social skills.
• Providing positive support: We believe in fostering a positive atmosphere. Our staff offer encouragement, praise, and guidance to help children build confidence, try new things, and overcome challenges.
• Being approachable and responsive: Staff are always available to listen to children’s ideas, answer questions, and offer support when needed, ensuring every child feels valued and heard.

By maintaining a high level of engagement, our staff help create a supportive and enriching environment that fosters growth, learning, and fun throughout the day.

We take great care in selecting and training our staff to ensure that every child is in safe, capable hands. Our recruitment and training process is thorough, and we focus on both the qualifications and personal qualities that make staff members well-suited to work with children.

Here’s how we recruit and train our staff:

• Comprehensive Interviews: All candidates undergo a detailed interview process where we ask a variety of scenario-based questions to assess their approach to working with children, problem-solving abilities, and their understanding of child safety and welfare.
• References and Background Checks: We require references from previous employers to ensure that candidates have a positive history of working with children. Additionally, all staff members undergo background checks to comply with safeguarding regulations and ensure their suitability for working with young people.
• Trial Shifts: Candidates are invited to complete trial shifts, where we observe them in action, interacting with children, and participating in class activities. This gives us a clear understanding of how they engage with children, manage behaviour, and contribute to the camp environment.
• Policy and Procedure Training: All staff are given access to our comprehensive policies and procedures to review before starting their role. They receive detailed training on our key guidelines, including safeguarding, health and safety, and behaviour management.
• Safeguarding and Child Protection: Our Principal takes staff through our main safeguarding points, ensuring that everyone is fully aware of our duty of care and how to handle any concerns related to child protection. Staff are also trained on recognising signs of distress, bullying, or unsafe behaviour, and how to address these appropriately.
• Ongoing Professional Development: We are committed to the continuous professional growth of our staff. Throughout the camp season, staff are provided with regular training sessions, including updates on best practices in child safety, behaviour management, and camp-specific activities.

By following this comprehensive process, we ensure that our team is not only qualified but also passionate and well-prepared to provide the best possible experience for every child at camp.

We ensure that all staff members are highly qualified and experienced in working with children, prioritising their safety, well-being, and enjoyment at all times.

• Senior Management Team: A member of our senior management team is always on-site during camp hours. They hold safeguarding qualifications from Ofsted-approved providers and are trained in paediatric first aid, ensuring that we have expert oversight on all safeguarding and medical matters.
• Camp Staff: All staff members running camps have received safeguarding training provided by Big Time or hold their own safeguarding qualifications. Additionally, most of our staff hold first aid certifications, ensuring they are equipped to respond to any medical needs that may arise.
• Ongoing Training: We are committed to the continuous professional development of our team, and all staff undergo regular training to keep their skills and knowledge up to date, particularly in areas like child protection, first aid, and behaviour management.

By maintaining high standards for staff qualifications and training, we ensure that every child is in safe, capable hands while having a positive and enriching experience at camp.