AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS​

Our main afterschool service is sited in the dining hall at Cotham School (Cotham Lawn Road), just up the hill from Cotham Gardens School. If looking at the school entrance in Cotham Lawn Road, turn right and walk the length of the school building, then turn left and walk to the outside fence. Our doorbell will be sited on a set of green gates next to the fence. Please ring for access (any problems phone 07759785014 and someone will come out and meet you).

We also offer an afterschool service at Cotham Gardens Primary Elmgrove Annexe (19 Elmgrove Road). This is sited in the school hall, please ring the Zebras bell for access.

 

Please do not visit any of our settings if you are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Please ring the doorbell and wait for a member of staff to let you in/bring your child out to you.

• Sign your child in/out at the gate.

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We are normally open to all schools within a short walking distance of our setting (subject to staff availability).

 

If further afield, we can accept children if you can arrange a ‘drop off’. 

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Afterschool Playscheme opening hours:

• Cotham site:   3.15 – 6pm.

• Elmgrove site: 3.10 - 6pm

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Lyn Collins (Operations Manager), Jim Collins (Manager) and Jessica Wakeham (Manager) run the afterschool sites on a day-to-day basis with adequate playwork and/or childcare qualified staff on duty daily.

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Zebras is a child-centred play setting incorporating the Playwork Principles, Loose Parts theory and EYFS (4/5 yrs) into the ethos of our free-play environment. Within the hall (all sites), areas are divided up to offer a wide selection of resources and play opportunities for children (of all ages) to choose from. These are rotated daily, to include:

 

• a creative play area: paint/dough/clay/sand/water/junk modelling

• arts & craft table: paper/pens/stencils/stampers/assorted craft materials (e.g tissue/glitter/pipe cleaners)

• construction: Lego/K-Nex/‘Ello/marble run/dino rally/Magnetix/train set

• small worlds: farm set/cars & garage/dolls house/Play Mobil/castle playset/dungeons & dragons

• role play: Post Office/Emergency Services/Dressing-Up/Home Corner/Shop/Travel Agent/Desert Island

• physical play: Bouncy Castle/Space Bubble/Pool Table/Air Hockey/Football Table/Table Tennis/Trampolines/Parachute

• TV/games consoles 

• a quiet area is available with cushions, soft toys and books for children to relax.

• outside play available daily in a covered courtyard adjacent to the hall (open access), with a wide selection of resources (bats/balls/basketball/hoops/swingball/roller-skates/skatebards/circus set/scooters).

• The Cotham site also has the use of a large field and all weather courts.

 

Throughout the year a selection of adult-led activities supplement the freeplay opportunities to include cooking (seasonal/cultural), music, woodwork, art & craft projects, dance, drama and much more!

 

This has included:

• Cookery Club

• Sewing Club (children’s request)

• Woodwork (bird boxes/clocks)

• Science Fun (potions workshop) 

• Art Club/Challenge Friday (children’s request)

• Parachute Play

 

We have a very active Children’s Play Council, who help with the running of Zebras, so far they have interviewed prospective staff (writing a job description), organised a fundraiser, collected children ideas for activities and put together a ‘buddy’ system to support & help new children to settle in.

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Reception Children

We take a lot of care with new Reception children joining our scheme and employ a range of different strategies to help them settle in and feel ‘at home’ as quickly as possible. Zebras employs keyworkers to work directly with reception age children (one on duty daily) providing support through the early stages and encouraging confidence, independence and learning throughout.

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Throughout September, until child(ren) start at Zebras, parents/carer’s are encouraged to visit playscheme with their children as often as they wish to ‘stay & play’, view our setting, policies & procedures, speak to staff/children and ask any questions you may have.

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Zebras recognize that reception children often need extra care and attention to aid the transition to this new experience (especially alongside starting school). Designated staff keywork these children and spend time helping them to settle in, learn our routines, interact and make friends.

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Adult-led activities for reception children include: cooking, group games, arts & crafts and trips to Cotham Park (weather permitting).

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In line with EYFS requirements, we collect information on each child’s play experiences and collate in an individual Play File (available to view at any time). Each reception child will have a designated keyworker.

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ELMGROVE

Now open, our new afterschool service at Elmgrove Annexe. This caters for Reception and Year 1 children, utilising the school hall and outside area. 

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REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION: To register with Zebras, please click the booking/registration to the top and right of this page and follow instructions..

 

BOOKINGS

RECURRING BOOKINGS: These are set days each week requested (and confirmed) on registration, when you will be notified of your child(rens) places. Once confirmed, these places are permanent and will carry on indefinitely during the current school year, until you notify the bookings secretary (email/written permission) that you wish to cancel (or request an amendment). 

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Recurring bookings need to be renewed at the start of each school year.
 

Please note: there is a 28 day notice period for cancelling a permanent booking.

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CASUAL BOOKINGS: This includes all children that do not have a permanent place (i.e. parents with shift work, changing work patterns, last minute requests). Whilst we will do our very best to accommodate your needs, there may be times when sessions are full and we will be unable to meet your needs on some or all of the dates requested.

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Cancellations unavailable for casual bookings.

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Please note:

For PERMANENT BOOKINGS, if you no longer need one or all of your places, we require 28 days notice for cancellation of said place.

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For CASUAL BOOKINGS, once made, refunds are not available. Casual attendees must confirm dates for each coming week on the Sunday before the week starts. Availability will depend on session numbers attending each day.

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PLEASE NOTE: All booked in sessions (both permanent and casual attendees) must be paid for, regardless of attendance. This is detailed clearly in Terms & Conditions (signed on registration & available to view in your online account). We do not offer session 'swaps' or credit for any dates children are unable to attend.

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This is to protect the long term sustainability of our service. 

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All existing users are required to check details & permissions on a yearly basis, in line with current legislation. This is carried out in the September of each school year. If you have not already done so, please go into your online account and check your details are correct (child's class, address, phone, medical details, emergency contacts). Any changes or updates can be added via an online form.

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This will ensure Zebras have up-to-date information with regards to your child(ren) and fully meet legal requirements.

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Inset Days: Zebras will be closed to children during Cotham Gardens Primary School inset days.

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FEES

Afterschool club fees for 2024: £14 per child (1.5% sibling discount), £14.50 for casual users, still representing excellent value for money.

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Fees are payable in advance, either on or before the first day of attendance.

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Individual arrangements (weekly payments/monthly direct debits) on request.

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We accept all forms of childcare vouchers, please ask for further details.

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Session Rates: £14.00 (from Jan 24) (£14.50 Casual Bookings).
Booked in sessions have sibling discount rates of 1.5% for the first sibling, 2.0% for the second sibling and 2.5% for all siblings beyond.
 

This includes a light snack on offer from 4.30pm (until 5pm), consisting of toast/fruit bread/crumpets/muffins/bagels/rice cakes/crackers with a selection of savoury spreads, fresh fruit, yogurt & salad items (carrot/cucumber/tomatoes etc) for the children to choose from. Drinks include water, milk & smoothies. Fresh water is available (for children to serve themselves) throughout the session.

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We have a 5 Star rating for Food Hygiene

 

Zebras Afterschool Playscheme | Rating Business Details | Food Hygiene Ratings

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