We aim to offer a relaxed and informal enviornment
TGA After School Activities
Our TGA site is made up of a main play room where the chidren can choose the toys, equipment or games that they can play with. they have access to Table football, Air Hockey and a Pool Table, children of all ages are encouraged to play with friends or staff members and we are happy to teach them new games or rules. We have a large selection of board games and puzzles which have proven to be extremely popular especially the regular UNO tournaments that occur.
Within this room is also a craft area, construction toys, reading area and Playstation/ TV. The electronics arent a primary activity and are only really offered when extreme weather prevents us from accessing the playground and outdoor areas, children are encouraged and taught to share turns and guide younger children as to how to play. We have access to Disney+, a collection of DVDs and Netflix so may on occassion offer a film for the children to watch near the end of a session. Recently our children have been enjoying quizzing with a staff member and this has proved popular and encourages the children to think quickly and tests their general knowledge.
The children also have access to a Chill Out Room, this is set up to store all of the childrens bags and coats as well as with a sofa, bean bags and books giving the children a quieter space to sit with friends, read books and take time away from the busier, louder play room if needed. We also have a Homework Zone set up within the Chill Out Room, where children can complete any homework they may have been set and with the use of a chromebook and tablet, they can research any needed information or complete online homework tasks such as TT Rockstars under the supervision and guidance of staff members.
We are really lucky to be able to access a large outside space including a playground and field and we are currently in the process of setting up and planting a small sensory wildlife garden that children will be able to help maintain and access when needed.
We offer themed and structured activities throughout the year in line with various Holidays and Celebrations. It is very much the childs choice as to whether they would like to participate within these activities or play/ do something else within the setting.
During the Holidays
Our Holiday provision is more themed in terms of our planning and activities and information on what is planned can be found within the promotional Holiday leaflets that are provided on our website (Information-calendar) and sent out through a number of different primary schools across Tunbridge Wells.
Although we structure the provision with a number of different activities the children are also free to opt out of these and choose a different activity, game, puzzle or toy to play with. During the Holidays the children may also be offered the opportunity to watch films or play on the playstation throughout the day to support transition times or as an alternative entertainment option if we are unable to access our outdoor space for any reason.
During the holidays we also reguarly organise trips off site, whether to the local woodland or parks or sometimes further afield to the cinema or bowlplex and sometimes to Hayesden or Hastings.
A step away from learning within the school enviornment
SKPS after School Activities
Our SKPS provision is split across two rooms within the school, we have access to the library and a smaller room where we offer our snacks and meals.
In the library we push back the school furniture to create a larger free flowing play space. The children have access to a selection of puzzles, board and card games. UNO is another popular choice within this setting as well as TGA. We have train track, dressing up, castles, pirates and doll houses to help promote imaginative play and these have proven to be popular choices with all of the children who attend. We set up a crafting area and also have a large selection of stepping stones and obstacle course equipment that the children enjoy setting up and challenging themselves and theiir friends to complete. We have a construction tabel where we reguarly change the toys on offer, but children are free to choose one of our other options if they so wish. We may also watch a movie in the Library towards the end of a session if the children choose to do so.
After Tea we often also have access to the school hall which allows us to provide more space and sporty activities towards the end of our sessions. The children really enjoy playing football, dodgeball, extreme rock, paper, scissors and also dancing to music or playing with the headtorches in the dark.
We have access to the large playground and all weather pitch that are on site and the children enjoy using this space to explore mud kitchen areas, play sports and use scooters (during better weather months)
We offer themed and structured activities throughout the year in line with various Holidays and Celebrations. It is very much the childs choice as to whether they would like to participate within these activities or play/ do something else within the setting.
Breakfast Club
Our Breakfast Club is held within the school hall and we set up different areas for the children to access different activities. Near our breakfast set up is the eatng table and our tables for craft and board/ card games or fidget toys.
We then set up hoops, skipping ropes and bean bags for children who may wish to do something slightly more active or even use these items within their own imaginative play games.
A large section of the hall is left so that any children who may wish to play football, catch or dodgeball can do so with plenty of space around them.
We do our best to access the outside space in the mornings, but this can sometimes be impacted by childrens choice to stay indoors, weather and icy conditions early in the morning.
Keeping our activities interesting
Remaining Fun and Current
We reguarly check in with all of the children at each of our clubs to ensure they are enjoying what is on offer. We do this by speaking to the children individually or in groups and also providing them with child questionaires to complete for us. All of our equipment is checked at the beginning of each session to make sure it is not broken and is safe to play with or that all the pieces are stil there.
The voice of the child is an important part to our planning and activities and also in the provision of equipment and toys that we offer at all of our clubs. We want all of the children to feel comfortable and to have fun whilst they are with us, which is why we hold their opinions and reviews in such high regards.
No child is forced to participate in an activity or game that they dont want to, so alternative options are always on offer throughout the day.