Parent’s Page

This is the parent’s page for registered children at Grove, those interested in our play schemes, SEND access, activities, hire or anything to do with the playground.

Calendar of activities

Scroll over the date required to find out what activities we have and their timings - dates with images show when we have access for play schemes, tutoring, special needs and events.

 

Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for playing outside. This means clothes that can get dirty, play is a messy business.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Come to the playground to pick up a registration form. We hope to put forms online soon, but we prefer parents to come to the playground before registering. We do have a waiting list.

  • Between 6 - 14 years old

  • For regular play days, we generally open on Saturdays and during school holidays. But we also have integrated after-school play sessions and other SEND sessions throughout the year. Description text goes here

  • We open between 10.30 - 4.30pm during regular play days. Our regular midweek SEND, Cooking workshops and family fitness sessions are after-school, generally 4-6pm.

  • We don’t charge for our service, but do expect parents and families to be supporters of the playground and participate in our continuing efforts to stay open and operational.

  • Yes, we try and have integrated sessions whenever we open, but we also have specialist SEND sessions each week. Please contact us via the website for more details.

  • No, but we occasionally have parent and child days or other open days. NB: Children will generally play and interact with others with more freedom if the parents are not present.

  • We have a Play Lead each session and our in-house sessional staff, all well qualified, with essential qualifications including, safeguarding, first aid, special needs skills and a great deal of experience with our registered kids. All staff have current DBS checks. We maintain very low staff:children ratios, normally no more than 1:6, which contributes to the safety and wellbeing of all children at the playground.

  • Essentially play is led by the children, but we have a wide range of activities including art, cookery, plenty of sports, table tennis, table football, a myriad of board and table games, PS3’s. We also have regular discussion sessions to talk about real events and news that affect the kids in this area.

  • Anything really, but be prepared to get mucky, scratch shoes and stretch clothing. We are mainly based outside, but have plenty of cover. If it’s wet, appropriate clothes and shoes are recommended. We have a few spare clothes on site, but expect parents and children to be properly prepared for the day.

  • Yes, we provide a hot cooked healthy nutritious lunch each day we open, snacks and drinks during the day and normally a treat to end. We are targeting a more healthy diet for all and do not encourage children to buy take away food during the day. Packed lunches are welcomed but we would encourage children to eat the hot cooked food. NB: We are always looking for guest chefs from the parents of registered children, please contact us if interested.

  • Whilst we offer open access play, children cannot leave either without direct supervision from staff and the full knowledge of the Play Lead. Some children, particularly the older group do have permission to leave the playground, but we do not encourage this and will seek confirmation from parents if we have any concerns.

  • The playground is a safe place, where children make new friends and discover the world around them through adventurous play. Some of our play equipment is quite challenging and on occasions accidents can occur, but the play equipment itself is safe, well maintained and inspected annually. The staff do supervise play but are not directly in charge of the play, so the children have the freedom to learn and discover for themselvesItem description

  • We are fully compliant with all statutory and legal policies and procedures in place. The playground is operated by the Charity, The Loughborough Junction Action Group, and their policies are effective for all our operations, these include Safeguarding, Data Protection, Equality & Diversity, etc, which can be found on the Charity’s website. We have our own site specific H&S policy and comply with all statutory requirements to ensure we operate a safe and healthy environment

  • Yes, we largely hire out for children’s parties, but have had professional photo shoots, short films, corporate days and many other events held at the playground.

  • Be a supporter, become a Friend of the Playground, donate, keep an eye out for us, volunteer, share your ideas, care for your community … loads of ways to help.