FAQs
What type of service is Kids at Play?
The main service we provide at Kids at Play is a play and social skills group for children with additional needs. We are a school aged service/afterschool for children aged 4-15. We organise play activities, arts and crafts, sensory play activities and social skills activities that focus on turn taking, sharing, team work etc. We encourage children to interact, communicate and play with their peers. We also work on independent and life skills such as eating together at the table, organising our belongings for home time, tidying up after ourselves etc.
My child is non-speaking/ pre-speaking. Are the staff in Kids at Play trained to facilitate this?
Yes! All staff are trained in Lámh and have experience of PECS and AAC devices. We endeavour to provide an inclusive environment and where appropriate we encourage all our children to communicate with each other via the individual’s communication system.
Do you provide any other services?
Yes! We provide a private tuition service also. For further information on this service please contact the service manager.
Is Kids at Play a pre-school?
No. However, we offer a private tuition service for a limited number of children under 4 years in the mornings, but we do not operate a preschool service.
What is the introductory visit
My child is not toilet trained yet.
Can they still attend?
Before any child starts with us, we invite them and their parents/guardians in for a short visit. The purpose of this visit is to give the child a chance to explore the setting with the comfort of mam/dad/carer present. This creates some familiarity for the child and gives the parents/guardians an opportunity to see what we do in Kids at Play. When the child commences their sessions with us, we implement a doorstep drop off and collection.
Absolutely! We understand the challenges toilet training involves for some children. We do not require your child to be toilet trained to enrol with us. If and when you decide to toilet train your child, we will happily work with you to achieve this.
What is the staff/child ratio?
Do you implement a healthy eating policy in Kids at Play?
According to the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 All school age services must implement a ratio of 1 adult to 12 children. However, this does not satisfy our need in Kids at Play. We operate a minimum ratio of 3 adults to 8 school age children.
No! We understand that there are often dietary restrictions to consider when working with children who have additional needs. We believe that a fed child is a happy child, so children are welcome to bring foods they enjoy. We currently do not allow and foods containing nuts into Kids at Play.