The Club’s play workers are professionals experienced in dealing with children in a wide variety of situations and as such have the qualifications and knowledge to deal with disciplinary matters. Parents/guardians will be made aware of unacceptable behaviour so they can discipline their children appropriately.

If you have any concerns about a particular incident involving the behaviour of children attending the Club please discuss the matter with the Playleader.

The play workers will not smack any child, or use any disciplinary method which results in physical, nutritional or emotional injury.

Minor disturbances

Play workers will deal with these on the spot. If there is any recurrence of minor trouble (eg cheekiness, disobedience, arguments with other children) Play workers will enter the incident in the Discipline book and speak to the parent/Guardian on the same day. If for any reason this is not possible, the parent/guardian will be informed in writing within 72 hours. This will take the form of informing and warning parents/guardians to give them the chance to discipline their own children. The parent/guardian will be shown the Discipline Book, and asked to sign the entry to show that they have read it.

If a child receives three entries in the Discipline book in any 4 week period, the parent/guardian will be given a written warning. They will be advised that any further entries in the Discipline Book within the next week will result in the child being temporarily excluded from the club for the whole of the next booked session.

If, following this one session exclusion there are any more entries in the Discipline book over the next 4 weeks the child will automatically be excluded from the Club for the next 2 booked sessions. The parent/guardian will also be given a written warning that any further entries over the next 4 week period may result in the child being permanently excluded from the club. Exclusions from the club in this situation will usually be on a permanent basis.

The parent/guardian and child will be offered the opportunity to discuss formally with the Playleader and a member of the Management Committee if this formal warning requires any clarification.

Serious Incidents

In the case of antisocial behaviour, wilful disobedience or more serious problems, Playworkers will speak to the parent/guardian that day, who will be shown the entry in the Discipline book and asked to sign it to show that they have read it. The parent/guardian will be given a written and final warning that any further entry in the Discipline Book within the next 4 week period will result in the child being excluded from the club for a minimum of 5 booked sessions. Any further serious incidents may result in the child being permanently excluded from the club.

Emergency Procedure

On the decision of at least two Playworkers a child may be suspended immediately by informing the parent/guardian in the case of a sudden and serious disciplinary problem.

The parent/guardian will have to arrange for the child to be collected immediately.

The details will be recorded in the Discipline Book, and the parent/guardian will be asked to sign the Discipline Book to show they have read the entry.

The club’s management committee will discuss the matter and the child may be reinstated or the ban made permanent and the parent/guardian notified of the decision.

If the child is excluded on a temporary or permanent basis the parent/guardian will still be required to pay for the booked session.

Complaints by Parents/Guardians

Parent/guardians with a grievance should address themselves in the first instance to the Senior Playleader and/or the management Committee.

If dissatisfied with the response obtained, parents/guardians can refer the matter back to the Management Committee and/or OFSTED.

Acceptance of the Disciplinary Procedure

By registering with the club, parents/guardians will be deemed to have accepted the conditions of this procedure.