Playscheme
Bright Beginnings has a 48 place Playscheme for children aged between 3 and 11 years. The scheme is registered and inspected by Ofsted.
The Playscheme is situated within Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre upstairs in ZONE and The Discovery Pod. Playscheme places are offered on a first come first serve basis. Once you register you will automatically be sent a booking form one month prior to the next half term. A confirmation email will be sent to you to confirm your child's place.
Places are predominantly available for staff and students of The University of Leeds. However, if there are any spaces left external users are welcome to join.
Dates and Times
Playscheme runs during the following school holidays:
- February half term for one week
- Easter Half term for 2 weeks
- May spring bank holiday for 3 days
- Summer Holidays for 6 weeks
- October Half Term for 1 week
There are 2 sessions per day, a morning session 8:15am to 1:00pm and an afternoon session 1:00pm to 5:45pm. The playscheme only operates during holidays in which the university/union buildings are open. There is a set rate for sessions plus there will be additional costs for any organised trips/activities.
The playscheme can be found in the Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre Building Parents are asked to ring the door bell where they will be greeted at Reception. A range of play activities are provided.
Activities and Excursions
The room is divided into areas of various types of play experiences. These areas include, large and small construction sets, imaginative play - dressing ups, home corner, mark making, Hama beads, dance mats, games machines, pool table, small world, football table. We also have two adjoining areas where children can access messy/art and craft activities and relax in the quiet area, reading books or watching various videos/DVD's.
As we are relatively close to a number of parks we also visit these on a regular basis. We also have access to an enclosed grassed space next to the Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre. This area is enclosed with a 1.8metre high fence. Children can access toilet facilities etc within the centre.
We also have access to Bright Beginnings allotment situated on Woodhouse Moor, where we experience planting, building constructions, outdoor cooking and building fires.
Playscheme plan a variety of excursions and optional trips for your child to participate trips and excursions vary from bowling, ice skating, digger land, Royal Armories, Coal mining museum, Harewood House and many more.
Meal Times
Children must bring a packed lunch. We provide children with a range of snacks. Children have access to a water cooler which is freely available throughout the day.
To transport the children we range a range of public transport, buses and rail. We also use private coaches which are all fitted with seat belts. Whilst on visits all children wear badges/key rings fastened to their clothes, these provide emergency contact information. Staff carry mobile phones and parents are provided with these contact numbers.
Staff and Ratios
We maintain a staff child ratio of 1:8 at all times when in the main play area. When we take children on excursions or external visits we maintain a ratio of 1:6.
Our staff team consists of a number of regular staff and those working on temporary contracts. All staff are suitably checked and have range of qualifications and experience.
Playscheme Co-ordinator - Gillian Marsden BA (Hons) Leeds Play Network, Inclusion training (6 weeks).
Playworker - Sarah Mughal
Playworker - Fiona Nealon - Cache level 3 in playwork.
Introductory Visits
Prior to actually starting in the playscheme we invite you and your child to come for a visit. This will offer you the opportunity to have a look around the venue, meet staff and other children and ask any questions you may have. Obviously as we are only there during school holidays this visit would have to take place during a school break.
Download playscheme registration information letter and form here...
To read our Ofsted report click here.
