HCS about our scheme activities and newsletters

About our scheme

The Tower Hamlets Holiday Childcare Scheme provides a good quality, safe and inclusive childcare service.
We encourage children to engage and take part in play-based activities indoors and outdoors. Highly qualified staff plan and provide a wide range of fun activities.

They follow the children’s interests, supporting them to choose their own activities and make decisions for themselves.

Your child/ren will be placed in the appropriate area in the scheme according to their age group.

Parents should provide their child with a packed lunch each day. Check our healthy packed lunch guidance.

Staffing

The Holiday Childcare Scheme is staffed by

a manager who takes responsibility for the scheme
a deputy or second in charge
an early year’s lead
a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
childcare workers

All staff have plenty of experience working with children and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). They also follow the requirements of the Ofsted Childcare Register.

All staff members have a full, up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Check (DBS) and hold a valid paediatric First Aid certificate.

Holiday Childcare Scheme expectations

Within the scheme we support and expect children to respect each other and the scheme rules.

The rules are formed in collaboration with the staff and the children on the first day of each scheme, and are displayed. The rules include promoting positive behaviour and self-regulation.

Please dress children appropriately. The children will be taking part in physical activities and will need to be comfortable.

Please also ensure your child has clothes for all weather conditions. Please do not bring any toys from home. We cannot take responsibility for any loss or damage to toys brought from home.

Children aged 3 to 5 years old

Children who are in nursery or reception are placed in our Early Years’ area. In this space, the staff plan and provide activities following the children’s interests and under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

The Early Years areas are set up with a range of activities, allowing the children to choose from sand, construction, trikes, arts and crafts and more.

Circle time discussions each day children will have circle time, where they can discuss different topics. For example, focussing on children’s wellbeing, supporting them to understand feelings and share their thoughts.

Children aged 6 to 10 years old

Children aged 6 to 10 are placed within our main scheme area. The children can take part in a range of activities.

We also provide a young people’s area for children between the ages of 10 to 13. The children in this area have activities available in a more youth-focused environment and can access the main scheme activities too.

Holiday childcare activities timetable

Below is an example of some of the main activities on offer. Outdoor activities will be weather dependant.

Easter 2024, Week 1 Theme: Eggtravinganza week
Area	Tues 2 April	Weds 3 April	Thurs 4 Arpil	Fri 5 April
Creativity zone	Egg hunt	Custom bag designing	Make your own badge to take home	Egg decorating
Active fun main scheme	Tag Rugby	Cylcling	Basketball	Football
Active fun Early Years	Egg hunt race	Mini tennis	Mini archery	Mini basketball
Baking and cooking	Flapjacks	Victoria sponge cake	Homemade biscuits	Apple crumble

Easter 2024, Theme: Crafty Fun
Area	Mon 8 April	Tues 9 April	Weds 10 April	Thurs 11 April	Fri 12 April
Creativity zone	Puppet making	T-shirt printing	Create your own slime	Cushion making	Create your own party accessory Scheme party Fancy dress optional
Active fun main scheme	Nurf fun	Hockey	Laser tag	Dodgeball	Nurf fun
Active fun Early Years	Mini Hockey	Mini basketball	Mini dodgeball	Mini archery	Mini athletics
Baking and cooking	Carrot cake	Flap jacks	Cheese scones	Home made biscuits	Blueberry muffins

Newsletters

For more information on activiites at the holiday scheme please view our newsletters from each scheme . Through our newsletters highlights from the scheme are shared with parents/carers and partners. Read the latest newsletter for February 2024.