At Camp Glide, we've spent years working with thousands of children and families across our breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs. During that time, we've learned something important.

Parents often start by asking about opening hours, prices or activities. Those things matter, but they aren't usually what determines whether a child has a fantastic experience.

The difference almost always comes down to the people, the culture and the care.

So, before you book a holiday club this summer, here are the ten questions we believe every parent should ask.

1. Would I Feel Confident Leaving My Child Here?

Trust your instincts.

When you visit a holiday club or speak to the team, ask yourself one simple question.

Would I genuinely feel comfortable leaving my child here?

The best holiday clubs feel welcoming from the moment you arrive. Staff greet children by name, they're approachable, organised and genuinely interested in getting to know each child.

Children should never feel like they're being "looked after". They should feel like they're somewhere they belong.

At Camp Glide, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, included and valued from the moment they walk

through the door. Whether it's their first visit or their fiftieth, we want them to leave with stories to tell and memories they've made.

Visit our Staff Showcase on Facebook to see some of our friendly Camp Glide faces that provide our care for your children.

2. Is the Provider Safe, Well Managed and Transparent?

Every holiday club should have clear safeguarding procedures, trained staff and robust processes for managing medical needs, allergies, behaviour and emergencies.

Don't be afraid to ask questions such as:

• Are all staff DBS checked?
• Who is first aid trained?
• How are medicines stored?
• What happens if my child becomes upset or anxious?
• How do you communicate with parents during the day?

A good provider won't see these as difficult questions. They'll welcome them.

The more open a provider is about how they operate, the more confidence you can have in leaving your child in their care.

All our policies are available for you to access here.

3. Is the Club Ofsted Registered, and What Does That Actually Mean?

This is one area that often causes confusion.

Many parents assume every holiday club is inspected by Ofsted.

In reality, that's not always the case.

Depending on how a holiday club operates, some providers are required to register with Ofsted, while others may operate under exemptions. An exempt provider isn't necessarily a poor provider, but it does mean parents should ask more questions about safeguarding, staff training and how quality is monitored or governed.

If a provider is Ofsted registered, take a few minutes to read their inspection reports.

It's easy to think that being registered means that the provision is safe. Being Ofsted registered means that Ofsted governs and inspects their practice. In reality, many settings that are registered are new and have not yet been inspected. Many providers scale quickly and it is difficult to understand their Ofsted "track record". While others open and close settings frequently. Settings that are only on the Childcare or Voluntary register are not inspected regularly. Settings, like Camp Glide's, that are on the Early Years register have each setting inspected regularly in line with the Ofsted inspection time frame. It's important for parents to undestand the difference.

Don't just look at whether they were graded "Good" or "Outstanding". Read what inspectors actually say about leadership, safeguarding and the experiences of children attending the setting.

At Camp Glide, we're incredibly proud of our unblemished Ofsted track record. Every one of our Ofsted inspections has met the required standards, something we've worked hard to achieve through strong leadership, well-trained teams and a genuine commitment to providing high-quality childcare.

We're proud of that record because we know parents place enormous trust in us every school holiday.

Find Camp Glide's Ofsted Inspection Reports here.

Ofsted registered provision means parents can use Tax Free Childcare, Childcare Vouchers, Claim costs through Universal Credit and costs if in education or training. This means childcare costs are more affordable.   

4. What Will My Child Actually Do All Day?

This might sound obvious, but not all holiday clubs are created equal. While many providers might not even tell you what their child has been up to each day - it can feel like a bit of a black box.

Some follow the same routine every day.

Others provide a timetable that's packed with activities from morning until home time.

From our experience, children enjoy having choice.

Some children want to run around outside for hours. Others would happily spend the afternoon building Lego, creating artwork or taking part in science experiments. That's why we build every Camp Glide holiday programme around exciting themes and a mix of activities.

One day might involve sports tournaments and den building.

The next could include giant science experiments, creative crafts or team challenges.

Our aim isn't to keep children busy.

It's to make sure they go home talking about their day.... and if they don't look out for updates on handovers, take homes and our other communications to keep you in the loop.

See what a day at Camp Glide looks like.

5. How Will They Help My Child Settle In?

This is probably one of the biggest concerns parents have, especially if it's their child's first holiday club.

• "What if they don't know anyone?"
• "What if they're shy?"
• "What if they don't want me to leave?"

The reality is that many children arrive feeling a little nervous.

That's completely normal.

An experienced team knows how to help children settle naturally, introducing them to others, encouraging friendships through games and making sure no child feels left out.

Some of our strongest friendships have started at holiday club.

There's nothing better than seeing a child who was nervous on Monday asking if they can come back again next week.

6. What Happens if Something Goes Wrong?

No parent expects problems, but it's reassuring to know how a provider responds if they happen.

Ask questions like:

• What happens if my child feels unwell?
• How do you deal with disagreements between children?
• What if I get delayed collecting my child?
• How will you contact me if there's an emergency?

Clear answers usually indicate a well-organised provider.

At Camp Glide, we believe good communication with parents is just as important as delivering great childcare.

When parents know what's happening, everyone feels more confident.

Look at our FAQs, policies and sign up and receive updates from Camp Glide

7. Will My Child Be Included?

Every child is different.

• Some love football.
• Some love painting.
• Some want to spend the whole day building dens.
• Others prefer quieter activities.

A good holiday club doesn't expect every child to enjoy exactly the same thing.

Instead, it creates opportunities for every child to take part in activities they'll enjoy, regardless of personality, confidence or interests. At Camp Glide, we believe in choice. Parents can sign up to different Pods with a different vibe and during the day, children have the ability to choose what activities they get involved in.

If your child has additional needs, it's also worth detailing these to the provider and ask them how they work with families to understand the support that may help them have the best possible experience.

Every child deserves to feel included.

8. Is It Good Value for Money?

It's understandable to compare prices.

But cheaper doesn't always mean better value.

Think about everything that's included.

Does the club provide:

• A full day's activities?
• Specialist workshops?
• Outdoor equipment?
• Crafts?
• Sports?
• Experienced staff?
• Flexible booking?

Sometimes spending a little more gives your child a significantly richer experience.

The best holiday clubs don't just fill the day, they create memories.

Find our latest prices on our "Book an Activity" page

 

9. What Do Other Parents Think?

Reviews tell a story that brochures can't.

Look beyond star ratings.

Read what parents actually say.

Do they mention friendly staff?

Do children ask to come back?

Do parents say communication was excellent?

Would they recommend the club to friends?

At Camp Glide, we're incredibly grateful that so many of our new families come to us because another parent recommended us.

That means far more than any advertisement ever could.

10. Does This Feel Like Somewhere My Child Will Thrive?

This is the question that brings everything together.

Every holiday club can promise activities.

Every provider can publish photographs.

What really matters is whether your child will feel happy, safe and confident there.

Will they make friends?

Will they try something new?

Will they come home smiling?

Will they ask if they can come back tomorrow?

Those are the things that matter most.

At Camp Glide, that's what we work towards every single day.

Not because it's good for business, but because every child deserves school holidays they'll remember for the right reasons.

Questions We'd Encourage Every Parent to Ask

Before booking any holiday club, don't be afraid to ask:

• Are your staff DBS checked?
• Is someone first aid trained every day?
• How do you help children who are nervous?
• How do you manage behaviour?
• How do you support children with additional needs?
• How do you communicate with parents?
• What happens if my child needs medication?
• Can I visit before booking?
• Are you Ofsted registered, where required?
• Can I read your latest inspection report?

A provider that welcomes these questions is usually one that's proud of the way it operates.

Why Families Choose Camp Glide

We know there are lots of holiday clubs to choose from, and we're genuinely grateful every time a family chooses us.

Our goal has never simply been to provide childcare.

We want children to build confidence, make new friends, discover new interests and create memories they'll still be talking about when school starts again.

We're proud of our experienced teams, our relationships with the schools we work alongside and our unblemished Ofsted track record.

Most of all, we're proud that so many of our families come back holiday after holiday, year after year.

For us, that's the best measure of whether we're doing a good job.

Ready to Find the Right Holiday Club?

If you're looking for a holiday club that combines exciting activities with experienced staff, a welcoming environment and a genuine commitment to children's wellbeing, we'd love to welcome your family to Camp Glide.

Browse our upcoming holiday clubs, explore our locations, or get in touch if you have any questions. Our team is always happy to help, even if you're just looking for advice before making your decision.