The summer holidays should be full of fun, friendships and happy memories: But for parents and carers, choosing the right summer holiday camp can feel like a big decision.
Who will be looking after your child? Are the staff properly recruited and trained? What happens if your child is nervous on their first day? Will they actually make friends? Will they spend seven hours doing the same activity? And, perhaps most importantly, will they be safe, happy and excited to go back the next morning?
With so many summer holiday camps and childcare options available, here are some of the most important things we think parents should consider when choosing the perfect holiday camp for their child.
1. Check Who Is Actually Looking After Your Child
Beautiful websites, colourful posters and exciting themes are wonderful — but the people caring for your child are what really matter.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Who runs the camp? How are staff recruited? What safeguarding procedures are in place? Is there a Designated Safeguarding Lead? What training and experience do staff have? How does the organisation deal with accidents, medical needs or concerns about a child?
At Musical Mayhem, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.
We believe parents should feel completely comfortable asking us questions about how we care for their children.
Our team includes experienced teachers and practitioners who understand that running a brilliant holiday camp isn’t simply about entertaining children — it’s about creating an environment where children feel safe, supported and able to be themselves.
2. Understand Ofsted Registration and Childcare Regulations
This is something many parents may not realise they need to consider.
In England, childcare registration requirements can depend on several factors, including the ages of the children attending, how long individual children are cared for and whether the provision qualifies for a registration exemption.
Generally, childcare providers caring for children under the age of eight for more than two hours a day may need to register with Ofsted unless a specific exemption applies. There are exemptions for some types of activity-based provisions and other circumstances, so parents should look at the individual provider rather than assume that every holiday activity operates under the same regulatory framework.
Musical Mayhem London CIC is an Ofsted-registered childcare provider.
For us, this isn’t simply a badge to put on our website. It reflects the enormous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure children are cared for safely and appropriately.
Parents should never feel uncomfortable asking a holiday camp about its Ofsted registration, safeguarding procedures or policies.
A reputable provider should be happy to answer.
3. Think About More Than Just the Activities
Of course, children want to have fun!
And we absolutely believe summer holiday camps should be full of laughter, creativity and excitement.
But a brilliant holiday camp should offer more than a timetable packed with activities.
Think about what your child will actually gain from their time there.
Will they make new friends? Will they build confidence? Will they have opportunities to try something new? Will quieter children be encouraged without being forced?Will energetic children have opportunities to move? Is there time to relax?
At Musical Mayhem, our days are designed around the whole child.
Children sing, dance, act, create, play games, rehearse and work towards performances — but they also have opportunities to socialise, build friendships and simply enjoy being children.
At our Canada Water summer camp, children will also enjoy daily opportunities to get outside for fresh air, including trips to the local park and library.
Because seven hours is a long day for a child, and we believe variety matters.
4. Ask How the Camp Supports Shy, Anxious and Neurodivergent Children
Not every child runs through the door on their first morning without looking back.
Some children need time. Some need reassurance. Some want to watch before joining in. Some children find noise difficult, struggle with transitions or need to know exactly what is going to happen next and that is absolutely okay.
Before children attend Musical Mayhem, we ask parents and carers to tell us about their child.
That might include diagnosed additional needs, medical conditions or allergies — but it might also include the little things that help us understand them.
What makes them anxious? What helps them feel safe? Are there any sensory needs we should know about? Are there any tips or tricks that work brilliantly at home or school?
We want to know the child behind the booking form; because inclusion doesn’t mean treating every child exactly the same. It means giving children the support they need to feel safe, happy and able to participate.
5. Find Out What Happens When a Child Struggles
This is particularly important if your child is attending a holiday camp for the first time.
What happens if they cry at drop-off? What if they don’t immediately make friends? What if they become overwhelmed? What if they simply decide they don’t want to join an activity?
At Musical Mayhem, we know that behaviour is communication. Our job isn’t simply to tell children to join in. Our job is to get to know them. Sometimes a child needs encouragement.Sometimes they need a job to do. Other times they need a quieter moment. sometimes they just need a trusted grown-up nearby until they feel ready.
We want every child to feel that there is a place for them at Musical Mayhem.
6. Ask About Group Sizes and Staffing
The number of children attending a holiday camp is important — but the number of adults caring for them matters too.
A camp with 30 children and a strong, experienced staff team can provide a very different experience from a camp where just a few adults are trying to manage a large group.
At Musical Mayhem, our camp sizes vary depending on the venue and the programme.
At our larger Docklands camps, we can welcome up to 30 children — but when we are full, we would typically have a team of two teachers and two assistants working with the group.
This means children can work in smaller groups throughout the day, staff have the opportunity to really get to know the children in their care, and there are more adults available to support children who might need a little extra reassurance, encouragement or help settling in.
Our new Canada Water camp is intentionally smaller, with just 15 spaces available.
For us, it isn’t simply about how many children are in the room. It’s about making sure we have the right team, the right environment and the right support in place to give every child the best possible experience.
7. Ask Whether the Camp Is Truly Inclusive
“Inclusive” is a word used by lots of organisations – but what does it actually mean?
At Musical Mayhem, we have always believed there are no stars.
Every child deserves opportunities. Every child deserves to be seen. Every child deserves to feel that they belong.
We work with children with a huge variety of personalities, experiences and needs, and we are committed to making our provision as accessible as possible. However, genuine inclusion also means being honest. Not every environment can safely meet every child’s individual needs.
If a child requires significant one-to-one support or a particularly low adult-to-child ratio, we ask families to speak to us before booking so that we can have an open conversation about whether a particular camp can safely and appropriately meet their child’s needs.
We will never promise support that we cannot safely provide. For us, that honesty is an important part of putting children first.
8. Consider Whether the Camp Works for Your Family Too
A brilliant holiday camp needs to work for children — but it also needs to work for parents and carers.
Think practically. What are the hours? Is the location accessible? What does your child need to bring? Are there additional charges for activities or trips? Can you use childcare support schemes?
Musical Mayhem holiday camps run from 9am until 4pm, providing a full day of activities for children and reliable holiday childcare for families.
As an Ofsted-registered provider, eligible families may also be able to use schemes such as Tax-Free Childcare towards the cost of their place.
9. Look for Somewhere Your Child Will Feel They Belong
Ultimately, this is the most important thing. The perfect holiday camp will look different for every child, but we believe children should come home tired, happy and full of stories.
They should have names of new friends to tell you and be proud of something they achieved. They should have laughed tried something new and, most importantly, they should want to come back tomorrow.
So, How Do You Choose the Perfect Summer Holiday Camp?
Look beyond the colourful posters, exciting themes and ask yourself these key questions.
- Who will be caring for your child?
- What safeguardingmeasures do you have in place?
- Ask about Ofsted registration and whether any exemptions apply to the provision.
- How staff are recruited?
- Howare individual needs are supported?
- What happens when a child is nervous or struggling?
- Is thissomewhere your child will genuinely feel safe, included and happy?
At Musical Mayhem London CIC, we believe holiday camps should be so much more than simply filling the childcare gap during the school holidays. They should be places where children make friends, build confidence, discover new skills, laugh until their cheeks hurt and feel that they truly belong.
And that is exactly what we work to create every single day.
Join Musical Mayhem This Summer
Our summer holiday camps are packed with singing, dancing, acting, games, creativity, friendship and fun.
With camps taking place at Docklands Settlements & Canada Water there are plenty of opportunities to become part of the Musical Mayhem magic this summer.
Spaces are limited, and some of our summer camps have already sold out!
Book your child’s summer holiday camp place today and give them a summer filled with confidence, creativity, friendship and memories.
