Let's Be Kids
Welcome
Let’s Be Kids is an Ofsted registered setting that provides care for children at Chapelford Village Primary School, both before and after school. Children are dropped off and collected at the school building, so parents can rest assured that their children are safe and well looked after. Children from age 2 to Year 2 attend breakfast and afterschool at Chapelford Village Nursery (located next door to school) and children in year groups 3-6 attend breakfast and afterschool club in our Community Hall in school. Both settings have a secure outdoor area, with free-flow access throughout the evening sessions. Let's Be Kids provide SCREEN FREE settings, focussing on nurturing your child and helping them develop as individuals! They offer sessions from 7:30am until 6pm, during term time. We offer a free holiday club to children on benefits related free school meals each Easter, Summer and Christmas. The nursery next door, Chapelford Village Nursery & Let's Be Kids Out Of School Club, host a holiday club all year round too. Lots of Let's Be Kids children attend, but we are also open to children from all local schools too. Please email enquiries@chapelfordvillagenursery.co.uk or call 01925713220 for details of this holiday club.
Please like our page on Facebook to see what activities we get up to!
Booking your place
To join Let's Be Kids, please look at their website Home (letsbekids.co.uk) and press Enquire Now. Alternatively this is the link to make an enquiry using their online platform famly - Famly Please give as much details as you can of what care you may need.
They will then send you an invite to download the app. You will need to fill in all of the information about your child, update permissions and add at least two contacts, and then you can start to request care from us. You can manage bookings and payments online, and message the office if you have any queries too. You can still pay by tax free childcare up until your child leaves primary school, and they welcome childcare vouchers too.
To avoid disappointment, we do recommend you set up regular days with Let's Be Kids and you can do this by messaging the office through the family app. They do try to be as flexible as possible - you can request care on an ad hoc basis by pressing request care on the app. This is charged at a slightly higher price and may not always be guaranteed as it will depend upon staffing on the day. They will always try their best. You must agree to the clubs’ terms and conditions and follow their policies and procedures.
A bit more about Let's Be Kids ...
A child led setting
Let’s Be Kids prides itself on having the children at the centre of its work. The children have helped create menus, have decided the rules, self-police, and choose their own resources. Their input means that they feel part of the club, and they take pride in how it is run. Let's Be Kids value independence and encourage the children to do for themselves as much as is possible, like making toast and pouring their own drinks.
The value of play
Play is an essential part of childhood. Children learn through play. They develop social skills, enhance their speech and language, develop cognitive skills, and work on both their fine and gross motor skills. It is not ‘just play’. It is an essential part of childhood, and sadly we see it slowly decreasing as time goes by. Let’s Be Kids gives that opportunity for children to access a quality play environment, to make friends and have time to play and choose what they want to do. They have the freedom to select from a range of resources and are supported by skilled adults. Play is a way to express ideas, manage stress and process emotions. The children build relationships with children across the school. They learn to resolve conflicts, support each other and work as a team. The children challenge themselves, solve problems and take risks. They have found parents report an increase in confidence and self-esteem. Most of all, the children have fun, laugh and giggle. This is what childhood should be about, letting kids be kids!
Healthy Food
The children prepare themselves a healthy breakfast, of cereals or toast. They sit and chat, and they help each other. We have a menu of mostly hot food, with fruit and a yogurt every evening, freeing parents to offer a snack before bed and make the most of that quality time of an evening. The children assess how hungry they are and choose which sitting they would like to be on to share a ‘family meal’ at the tables together.
The children often offer to help prepare the food, and some insist on washing the dishes! We do as little as we can as adults, skilling the children up so they can be as independent as possible.
Staffing
At Let's Be Kids there is a Play Leader and many playworkers. All of the staff have significant experience of working with children and comply with EYFS requirements for registered childcare. They are very nurturing and are passionate about providing the best care for children. Staff are expected to undertake professional development training and are all DBS checked. They maintain a staff/child ratio in line with Ofsted guidelines.
The Owner/Manager has extensive childcare experience and is a Level 6 Early Years Professional, as well as a Level 3 Forest School Leader.
Working with Parents
At Lets Be Kids, we are firm believers that children achieve more when all who care for them work together. We pride ourselves on the strong relationships we build with parents from the start. We know how important it is for parents to be able to trust others with the care of their children, and endeavour to only ever provide the very best care. You will get a thorough handover of how your child has been, what they have enjoyed and eaten. We will always be honest with you and encourage an open relationship and an open door policy, where you can come to us with any issues. We will always try our best to resolve any problems you may have.
Working with school
Let's Be Kids has an excellent relationship with Chapelford Village Primary and feel very much part of the school community. Their service is fully supported by school. We work together in the best interests of the children. We share information on triumphs and achievements, and even work together to manage any issues the children may have. The children are safe on school premises, and we walk through school safely and sensibly. It is a seamless transition between school and Let’s Be Kids. We can follow what the children are learning to plan fun activities. The children can access all of the extra-curricular activities offered by school, and be dropped off afterwards to Let’s Be Kids. Messages and letters are sent between school and parents and vice versa.
What Parents Say
My daughter has many opportunities to develop her creativity and talents through sport, music and creative arts. The team do a wonderful job caring for my daughter. I feel privileged to have such a great support system on school grounds helping parents trying to balance working with young children’ Miss H
My daughter absolutely loves Let’s Be Kids and has settled really well. After two weeks I really feel like you know her well and know what’s important to us as a family. She talks constantly about the activities that she does. She bounces out of bed each morning and has complained bitterly about being picked up ‘too early’. We think you are doing a brilliant job! Mrs H
My son was really nervous but he’s now happy and looks forward to attending every day. I have been so impressed with how personable and approachable Jenna and the team are—my son comes home smiling and happy every afternoon which for working parents is such a relief knowing he’s had such a good time. Mrs O
Really happy with my child's progression, he has come on so much since September and now runs in to school happy and smiling to start his day. Parent Questionnaire Autumn 2022
A brilliant service offered, with friendly and caring staff. Parent Questionnaire Autumn 2022
After school club has been so important to us. Knowing that my son is safe and most of all enjoying himself has been so incredibly important and reassuring. Thank you Let's Be Kids Team. Parent Questionnaire Autumn 2022.
What Ofsted say
The highest priority is given to promoting children’s emotional well-being’
‘Children and their families develop a strong sense of trust’
‘Relationships are very strong; they settle very quickly’
‘Children of all ages enjoy their time at the club and are often reluctant to leave. They have a clear sense of belonging and confidently explore the interesting activities, indoors and outdoors ‘
What the children say
'I love Let's Be Kids!'
'I like that we can do what we want and play with friends'
'I like looking after the little ones'
'It's nice to relax and have fun after school'
'We have so much stuff to do'. Children's Questionnaire 2022
'The staff are nice and kind' Children's Questionnaire 2022
'Q: How could we make it better? A: Nothing it is perfect'. Children's Questionnaire 2022
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Jenna and the Let's Be Kids team
