FLAX BOURTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Out Of School Club

Welcome to Flax Bourton Out of School Scheme (FOSS).

The club exists to give children a warm welcome at the end of their school day and to provide them with opportunities for play and relaxation in a friendly environment.

For parents, the club provides affordable childcare, and the knowledge that their children are being cared for by qualified adults in safe and familiar surroundings.

We hope that many of the questions that you may have will be answered in this registration pack, but if you have any further questions to ask or suggestions to make, please do not hesitate to talk to the Play Leader or Play Workers, or any of the parents who are members of the Club Committee. To make this club a success we encourage you all to consider using it, on an occasional or regular basis
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Who can join the Out Of School Club ?

The Club is open to any children aged 4 to 14 and is held in the school hall Flax Bourton C of E Primary School.

The Club will offer 16 places after school and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Once a booking form has been completed parents will not be required to complete forms for subsequent terms, providing that their requirements have not changed. In the event that there are parents who are unable to secure a place because the club is oversubscribed, a waiting list will be established. Occasional users will be able to reserve places in advance by asking the Play Leader in person or by contacting the mobile number if absolutely necessary. Play Leader Mobile no : 07814 951244 (This number can be used for all enquiries and booking that cannot be made in person with the Play Leader. The School Secretary is not to be contacted, as she will not be able to help.)We would prefer if you used text messaging before 3pm, to which a reply will be sent to confirm.
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When and where does the club operate ?

The Out of School Scheme will operate between 3.15pm and 6.00pm Monday to Friday in the school hall. Opening will be dictated by use. Currently we are also offering places to siblings of the children attending school run clubs at a rate of £3.00 to allow parents to collect their children at 4.15pm. However children coming on to the after school club after attending the clubs would have to pay the sessional rate. Back to top

Who runs the out of school scheme ?

The Club receives the full support of the Head teacher and governors, but is not run by the school. It is an independently constituted organisation run by a Club Committee. The Club Committee is made up of parents, who are responsible for all aspects of the administration and organisation of the Club, such as policies on play and safety, the allocation of places, collection of fees, employment of Play Workers etc. Members of the committee are unpaid volunteers, and new members are welcome.

The Committee employs trained Play Leaders and Play Workers who care for the children and run the club on a day-to-day basis. Children are constantly supervised whilst at the Club and there is a ratio of at least one adult to every eight children at all times. The Play Leader will carry a mobile phone with the clubs number so can be contacted during club hours.
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What happens at the Out of School Scheme ?

The club will have a planned weekly programme put together by the Play Leader. There will be a choice of organised activities each day, which children may choose to participate in. We recognise, however, that many children are tired at the end of the school day, and they will therefore be encouraged to choose their activities, whether this be joining in with a group activity, playing freely with other children, doing their own thing with the toys and materials available, or simply flopping with a book or a quiet activity. The Club will have use of the playground and, when the weather is fine, there will be ample opportunity for outside play, team games and other sports. We are hoping that Friday afternoons may become a Youth Afternoon with disco/competitions etc, to attract children in the older part of the school- however younger children are welcome as well.

Children will be offered a drink and a light snack during the afternoon. If they are usually very hungry before 6pm a snack should be sent with them. At the end of each session, children will be expected to help clear away, ready to be collected promptly by 6.00pm at the latest.
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How is the Out of School Scheme funded ?

The Out of School Club had been awarded a start up grant from the New Opportunities Fund (money from the Wednesday Lottery). This money was used to fund the purchase of equipment and to fund any deficit during the first year that the Club is open. We had a second grant from The Greater Bristol Foundation but now are trying to become self sufficient. The more children that use the club, the more likely we are to remain open. So please support us.

Parents will pay fees for using the club as detailed on the attached charging schedule. These fees will be used to pay the Play Leaders and Play Workers wages and the ongoing costs of materials and equipment. Fees will be payable in advance and are not refundable:
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What policies does the Out of School Scheme have ?

The club has written policy statements on Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Special Needs, Discipline and Complaints, and these are available for inspection by parents.

For further information please contact any of the following committee members:

Nia Harland Alison Lowe Sally Povey
Tracy Dodds Ann Kerswell Helen Walder

Behavior and Discipline

Please ensure that your children understand the following rules governing their behaviour:

Aggressive or abusive behaviour, physical or verbal, will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to the policy statement on Discipline.

Children should not:

- Throw any items of play equipment or any other articles likely to cause injury.
- Operate the TV or video or any electrical equipment.
- Climb on any fence or gate, or leave the premises without a member of staff.
- Bring any item with them that is likely to be injurious to any child

Children are expected to clear up toys, equipment and litter when asked to do so.

Cases of theft from other children or from the Club, or deliberate damage to Club equipment or other children?s belongings, will be referred to the Club Committee and parents will be liable for replacement of the said items or equipment.

Registration Form

No child will be accepted as a member of the club unless the Registration Form is completed in full. The Registration Form contains an authorisation giving the Play Leader authority to provide or obtain emergency medical treatment for a child, should it not be possible to contact a parent or other authorised person in time, and no child will be accepted unless this authorisation is given Back to top

Sickness, accidents and emergencies

to contact one of the people listed on the Registration Form, to arrange collection of the sick child. The child will be cared for until collected.

In cases of minor accident, basic First Aid will be administered. In cases of an accident requiring more than basic First Aid, every attempt will be made to contact the parent to advise or discuss the course of action to be taken. If the parent cannot be contacted in time, the Play Leader will invoke the authority given on the Registration Form to provide or obtain emergency medical treatment as appropriate.

All accidents and emergencies are entered in the Accident Book, and you will be asked to sign the book when you collect your child.
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Charging Policy

No child can attend the club without a registration form being completed.
Occasional users will need to ensure that a form has been completed; otherwise the child cannot attend the club.

Term time fees per session (3.15pm - 6.00pm)

1st child £5.00
Reduced fee for second and subsequent child,
or for unemployed parents/carers £4.00
Rate for 'siblings hour' £3.00
(siblings of children attending school run clubs) - at discretion of Play Leader

Payment should be made by cheque made payable to Flax Bourton Out of School Scheme. Payment should be made weekly or monthly in advance to the Play Leader.

No refund will be given or credited when a child does not attend the club unless at least two weeks notice is given of that non-attendance. If a child is sick, the fee can be used for a subsequent attendance.

Parents on Working Families Tax Credit may be entitled to childcare tax credit as we will be an approved provider. Please see our notice board for information or discuss this with a member of the committee or the Play Leader or get more information from the Inland Revenue tel 0845 3003900.

The Club aims to provide an affordable childcare facility for parents. We are not a profit-making organisation and we aim to keep our charges as low as possible. We must, however, ensure that our costs are covered. You can help us to keep our charges low by giving as much warning of non-attendance as possible, to enable places to be made available to other parents.