Safeguarding
Keeping children safe is our primary and most important job.
We have policies and procedures in place to support all that we do to keep children safe. All staff hold an enhanced DBS certificate and there are always at least two pediatric first aiders on site. We have small numbers of children in each group because we want children to get individual attention and support. Our ratios are 1:6 in Adventure Tribe and 1:7 in Little Foresters.
We have a safeguarding officer, Leanne Bnidar who has undergone extensive training in this field as a primary school teacher and school safeguarding designated lead and our deputy safeguarding officer is Ana Denucci, a SENDCO and Nursery Teacher who has also undergone extensive training in this field.
Staffing
When you come to Jolly Foresters you will always see familiar faces because we are a small family business with staff who come back year after year. All of our leaders have either paediatric first aid or outdoor first and in addition to this we have bushcraft level 3 and forest school level 3 qualifications as well as qualified primary school teachers. Most importantly we all have a qualification in kindness, a love of the outdoors and a passion for working with children.
What age can my child start attending Jolly Foresters?
Our skills based sessions are for children who are 3+. We have 3 separate groups so children are with a group of similar aged children. We are a skills based club where children attend to learn about bushcraft and nature. Children under 5 may only attend for a maximum of 4 hours.
Children above 11 are still more than welcome to book into the sessions if they are interested in what we offer.
What do I need to bring to a holiday skills session?
You need to bring a nut free packed lunch and water. A In addition they should also bring a change of clothes including socks . In the winter months, children must come to the club already wearing their waterproof clothing and wellie boots with a fleece layer underneath preferably. Please pack gloves, hats and scarves as we are outside all year round.
In the summer months they should still bring water proof clothing as the great British summer can be wet. Children should be wearing long sleeves and long trousers as we encourage tree climbing, playing in the mud and walking through dense woodland at times. Children should wear closed toe shoes so that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy.
We provide morning snacks such as carrots and popcorn and afternoon snacks such as a hot chocolate and marshmallow and a rich tea biscuit.
The Adventure tribe group does cooking activities based on the basic principles of foraging. All allergies will be catered for.
Do you accept childcare vouchers?
We currently do not accept childcare vouchers.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please only book a place if you intend to join. We have a no cancellation policy. Please only book a place if you intend for your child to attend. We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances can happen (medical and the likes) and you may need to alter or cancel a booking. We will do everything we can to accommodate requests for this. If we can fill your place if you give us enough notice (more than 1 week) we will be able to offer you a credit to your account minus administration fee of £5 per session booked. There will be no cash refund. Please note that one week before the booking is due, we will be unable to cancel or alter a booking.
Behaviour Policy and SEN
It is expected that children attending the club adhere to our club rules:
We are always polite, kind and considerate, and we look after each other
We listen to each other and the grownups so that we can be safe
We always answer if we hear 123 Where are you
We always look after animals
We look after plants-we try not to pick living things
We are careful and aware when we are using sticks-you may carry a stick shorter than your arm (but make sure you are not too close to anybody)- longer light sticks can be dragged behind us- heavier sticks need 2 or more people.
We don’t throw sticks or pull them from a living tree.
Sticks are for imaginative play but not fighting
On the occasion that a child is unable to follow the rules, we will talk to them in the first instance. If we find they are still unable to follow the rules, we will talk to their parents at pick up.
We use dangerous items such as fire, knives and saws. It is vital that during the sessions the children are able to follow instructions to keep themselves and others safe. If a child is a danger to others or themselves, we will have to ask the parents to come and fetch them. Cancellation caused by behaviour is non refundable.
If your child has specific SEN needs please contact us before booking. We want to ensure that all children who attend are able to keep themselves safe and have fun.