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How to Choose the Right Summer Camp for Your Child: A Parent's Guide
- Charlie Hiscox - uSports
- 11 minutes ago
- 7 min read
At the time of writing this blog the UK is in the middle of a heatwave and as well as making me think that I wish air con was everywhere, it also makes me think that the summer holidays must be coming soon! With Summer fast approaching, as parents, it is time to make sure you have your holiday club and summer holiday childcare plans locked in!
But, the Summer holidays are a long stretch of time and choosing the right summer camp for your child can be a daunting task! You not only have to think of which camp will be reliable and meet your needs as a parent, but you also need to make sure that it's a camp which your child will be happy and excited to attend. With careful consideration, you can find a camp that aligns with your's and your child's interests, needs, and budget.
Their Summer, Their Way: What Does Your Child Want?
This is the absolute foundation of your search. A camp your child genuinely enjoys will be a far more enriching experience and you can be sure that they'll be rushing to get out of the door ready for another day at camp when you've found a holiday club which they are genuinely excited to get to each day.
Does your child enjoy sports, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, or technology? There are a wide range of holiday camps available catering to a wide range of interests. Often the more specialist camps may only run for a select number of days over the school holidays so keep this in mind when you are balancing your child's interests and your needs for childcare.
From Little Explorers to Young Adults: Finding the Appropriate Camp
Each holiday club offers a different choice of activities, timings & support for children. When choosing the right camp, you should think about the right type of club for your child's age. So, what should you prioritise depending on the age of your child?
Early Years | 4 Year Olds
It can be a challenge to find summer holiday childcare solutions for early years children as generally there are fewer camps which cater for this age group. Children in the early years require more specific support under Ofsted guidelines including key workers and suitably planned activities which is largely why you may find it harder to find a suitable camp for your young child.
There are three different registers for holiday camps under Ofsted and there are implications for early years children depending on which register the camp is following:
Voluntary or Compulsory Registers | If a holiday club is on one of these registers, they should not be allowing 4 year olds to attend for longer than 4 hours per day.
Early Years Register | If a holiday club is on this register, 4 year olds can attend for a full day but there are some conditions which the clubs must follow including having someone with a Level 3 childcare qualification on site if the child is still in nursery. If they are in reception, there is no specific qualification required.
You don't need to know all of the requirements of Ofsted, but if you are going to trust a provider to look after your early years child we would suggest doing a little research to reassure you! You can search for Ofsted registrations online and you could always ring up the club to ask them their policies around supporting early years children.
Here at the uGroup, we offer the following camps for early years children:
uSports Football & Multi-Sports Holiday Camps | https://www.u-sports.co.uk/holiday-camps
These camps are on the Ofsted voluntary register so 4 year olds can attend for up to 4 hours at a reduced rate to account for the shorter day.
uKids Multi-Activity Holiday Camps | https://www.u-kids.co.uk/holiday-clubs
These camps are on all three Ofsted registers so children in the early years can attend for a full day. As standard, children can attend once they have finished nursery and are in Reception but contact your local area to confirm availability for younger children.
Considering Older Children
At the uGroup, all of our holiday camps are available to book for children from 4 to 12 years old but our advice is that you know your child best! Our camps are designed to cater for a wide range of ages and children will take in part in activities which are grouped in line with and are appropriate for their age but you may find that your child has different needs from a camp depending on their age.
For older children, your primary focus of the camp may not be childcare but rather an opportunity to take part in an enriching experience over the summer holidays. If this is the case for you, you may want to explore specialist camps which allow older children to try something new.
If you take a look at our uKids holiday camps online you will be able to find which days we are offering our specialist workshop activities including music tuition from iRock, animal encounters & silent discos to name just a few! https://www.u-kids.co.uk/holiday-clubs
Explore Different Types of Camps
There are such a wide range of holiday camps available to book so make sure to do your research to find a camp that your child will love, perhaps you want to find a camp which hones in on a specialist interest or maybe you want to go for a multi-activity camp which gives children variety in every day. Some different types of camps to consider are:
Multi-Activity Summer Camps: Offer a wide range of activities like swimming, outdoor play, and arts and crafts. https://www.u-kids.co.uk/holiday-clubs
Sports Camps: Either Multi-Sports or specific sports like football, tennis or dance. https://www.u-sports.co.uk/holiday-camps
Creative Camps: Allow children to explore art forms like painting, music, and drama.
Adventure and Outdoor Camps: Ideal for kids who enjoy nature, offering activities like hiking, canoeing, and team-building games.
STEM Camps: Focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with activities like robotics and coding.
Specialty Camps: Cater to specific interests like music, dance, language, or specific hobbies.
Peace of Mind: Ensuring Your Child's Safety at Camp
Safety is paramount when choosing a suitable holiday camp for your child, it is of course important that they are having fun but you need to ensure that they will be safe and cared for while doing so.
As already mentioned, you can check if a holiday camp is registered with Ofsted. While being registered with Ofsted doesn't automatically mean that a camp is safe, it does imply that the company is taking the safety of children seriously by taking the time to register. https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/
A company with well established safety, well-being & safeguarding practices will make their policies and procedures visible for parents. Have a look online and see if you can find the policies and procedures for the organisation to be assured that they take safety seriously. You can check out uGroup policies and procedures at the bottom of each of our websites.
Policies and procedures are good and an indication of a well run company, but it's important that you get a good feel for the camp. When you arrive to drop off your child, do you feel that the individuals you are handing them over to take their responsibilities seriously? Do they know their stuff?
Smart Spending & Budgeting
Another thought which I am sure is on your mind when thinking about summer holiday camps for your child is the price! The summer holidays are a long stretch of time and that means that the costs can really rack up so it is important to think about your own personal budget when it comes to finding the right camp.
Things to look out for which can make your holiday camps more affordable:
Choose The Right Company
Summer camps vary widely in price depending on the type, duration, and activities. Make sure to choose a camp which not only meets your needs but that fits your budget.
Factor in Additional Costs
Consider transport, what you need to provide, and any extra costs for extended hours.
Explore Financial Support
Some camps offer free funded spaces over the Christmas, Easter & Summer holidays through the HAF programme. This is a government funded initiative for children who access pupil premium free school meals. The majority of our uSports holiday camps offer free HAF spaces so head over to our website to check eligibility & how to secure a free space for your child: https://www.u-sports.co.uk/holiday-camps
Look For Discounts
There are a wide range of discounts which can be found for holiday camps, some to keep an eye out for include:
Sibling Discounts (10% for all uGroup Holiday Camps)
Early Bird Discounts
Multi-Day Discounted Rates
Tax Free Childcare (TFC) & Childcare Vouchers
If a provider accepts TFC or childcare vouchers, you can be much more tax efficient with your holiday camp bookings! By using these initiatives you can save money by being more tax efficient with your childcare costs and TFC payments are even topped up by the government! uSports & uKids holiday camps accept both Tax Free Childcare & Childcare Vouchers.
What Others Say: The Power of Reviews and Referrals
By far the best judge of a camp is the recommendations of others who have already tried it out! The main way in which people hear about our camps is either through their child's school or through word of mouth.
Reach out to other parents and see where they choose to send their child or keep an eye out in the school newsletter for local trusted holiday camps.
We are incredibly proud of our reputation and at the time of writing this blog, we have close to 400 reviews across the uGroup with a 5 star average rating! So, don't just take our word for it - search for us online and see what others have to say.
Choosing the right summer camp can be a minefield but it can also be an opportunity to unlock unforgettable experiences and memories. It's about much more than simply finding childcare for the school holidays; it's about investing in an experience that can shape their confidence, broaden their horizons, and spark new passions. By taking the time to find the right camp for your family, you're setting the stage for a summer filled with growth, laughter, and truly unforgettable moments.
We hope this guide helps you to know what to look for when searching for your summer holiday clubs. While we hope to see you at a uSports or uKids holiday camp; wherever you choose to send your child this summer, ultimately, the best camp is the one where your child feels happy, safe, and inspired.
