Q&A | Creative Mash

Frequently Asked Questions about our Holiday Camps

What Happens at Our Camps?

Each day at camp begins with free play activities like board games, crafts, reading, and building. This time helps children settle in, bond with our teachers and assistants, and make new friends. Throughout the day, children will participate in three structured activities: drama, dance, and crafts. We also have a short snack break, a longer lunch break with outdoor play if the weather allows, and a post-lunch hydration and relaxation session. During this session, children can unwind with relaxation music while we ensure everyone stays hydrated. All our sessions are filled with games, making sure we learn through play.

What are the timings?

9.00 - 9.15: Sign in & drop off PRINCESS MAY

9.00 - 10.00 Sign in & drop off TRIP SPACE

15.45 - 16.00: Collection and sign out

Last Day of the Week: Performance for family and friends at 3 pm, pick up straight after the presentation.

What age is it open to?

Camps are open to children aged 5 years to 11 years old.

Do you split the age groups?

That depends on the venue and the size of the group. In Stoke Newington, we usually run separate camps for 5-6 year-olds and 7-11 year-olds. At Tripspace, and during quieter weeks in Stoke Newington, we run mixed-age group camps. Our camp is all about working together on a theatre play as a team! We use a tried-and-tested ‘Mixed Age Dynamic,’ which works really well because it gives extra responsibility and roles to the older children while helping to challenge and stretch the younger ones. Although our camps are open to kids aged 5-11, most of the children tend to be between 5 and 10 years old.

Can I Book Single Days or Do I Have to Book a Whole Week?

Our workshops are designed as a week-long program for your child's maximum benefit and are more cost-effective this way. However, you can book individual days at a premium rate, though no discounts apply. We will make sure every child has a great time! We recommend booking the first three days on an individual drop-in basis. On Thursday, we start preparing for our show, and Friday is show day, so if your child only attends part of the week, they might have a smaller role in the performance.

Do you accept childcare vouchers?

Not yet, but we are working on our registration, so we will update as soon as we are registered.

What is the Child-to-Adult Ratio?

We always operate with a 1:8 teacher-to-child ratio, ensuring plenty of individual attention. There is always a minimum of two teachers with each group at all times. Depending on the group, we may have two main teachers or one main teacher and an assistant who is specifically there to support the younger children. At least one of the teachers on site is first aid trained. Most of our teachers also run after-school drama clubs during term time, so they are experienced in working with children of this age group.

What is the Maximum Group Size?

Typically, each group consists of 15-20 children at both venues.

Tripspace, Haggerston: Maximum of 24 children.
Princess May, N16: Maximum of 40 children, with 20 in the 5-6 age group and 20 in the 7-11 age group.

Who Teaches the Activities?

All our activities are led by specially trained Drama, Dance, and Crafts Facilitators who have experience teaching children in after-school clubs and camps. Each facilitator has undergone an enhanced DBS check

Do the children go outside at all?

We try to be outside as much as possible during one hour lunch break– weather permitting.

What Safety Standards Do You Have in Place?

Ensuring every child's safety and security is our top priority. All our staff have passed enhanced police checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We conduct thorough risk assessments for every venue and activity, and our instructors receive full training before delivering sessions. We also have a safeguarding and child protection policy in place, which is available upon request.

Do You Provide Food or Refreshments?

We do not provide food or refreshments. Drinking water is available at all our venues, so children can refill their bottles to stay hydrated throughout the day. Children need to bring their own packed lunch, a mid-session snack, and a drinks bottle. We have a strict no-sharing food policy and respectfully ask that nut products (such as peanut butter, Nutella, and bags of nuts) are not included in packed lunches. Occasionally, additional food restrictions may be implemented based on the specific allergy needs of the children attending our camps.

What Should My Child Wear?

Comfortable Clothing: Please dress your child in comfortable clothes suitable for indoor activities. Keep in mind that we may do some stretches or dance, so avoid tight trousers.
Messy Artwork: As some of our artwork can get messy, please bring clothes that can handle a few stains.
Costumes for the Performance: Costumes will be decided during the week, and children should bring them on Friday in a separate bag for changing. Our approach is very relaxed—there’s no need to buy anything new. We’ll try to make costumes and props ourselves.
Outdoor Play: At the Tripspace site, we may visit the local park for lunch on nice days. Please ensure your child has a warm jacket and socks for colder days, comfortable shoes for walking and running, and sun protection for the summer months.
Spare Clothes for Younger Children: If your child is aged 5, please pack a spare set of clothes in their bag. While we have regular toilet breaks, accidents can happen!

Is There a Different Theme Each Week?

Yes, there is always a different theme each week. We often draw inspiration from children's books, musicals, or movies, and then we encourage the children and teachers to collaborate on shaping the script and creating the final theatre play. This allows for a unique and creative experience each week.

My Child is Very Shy—Can I Stay at the Start of the Day to Help with Settling In?

We understand that this can be a concern for parents, but from our experience, you have nothing to worry about. We always have an assistant on hand to support the younger children, and many kids return to our camps year after year. For safety reasons, our venues remain locked during the day, and parents are not allowed inside. Rest assured, we have effective strategies in place to help children settle in and feel comfortable.