FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Club outside?
We plan to have the club outside. On days where the weather does not allow, it will take place inside the school.

Play is great, but what happens if there’s bullying or a child gets hurt?
The experience will be similar to interval. If a child skins a knee, they tell an adult and get a plaster. If an adult sees some bullying, they step in. But in general it’s simply a bunch of children playing.

The whole idea of Play Club is to let kids make their own fun and solve their own problems without adult intervention. So how do the adults know when it IS time to intervene?
If a child is in physical danger or very upset emotionally, an adult will step in. We want the children to solve little spats and disagreements on their own, but at no point will we ignore hitting or bullying.

So what about arguments?
If a child is not in physical danger, we will say, “Go figure this out. You can do this,” because that’s the whole point – children learning to figure things out. The adults are there if really needed, they will also help children resolve conflicts using the conflict corner.

But from what we know about Play Clubs this rarely happens. Children just want to play. They don’t WANT to talk to the adults. They talk to them all day!

What if I'm uncomfortable with the “You can handle it” approach?
Things ARE going to happen. That’s the point. In many ways, it's the PURPOSE of the Club – that’s what this endeavour is all about. As one Play Club put it: “If your child goes here, yes, sometimes they’re going to have to figure things out, and they’re not always going to like it. But the benefit outweighs the concerns”.

Remember, it will be a safe environment and there’s an adult there if someone really needs to intervene. However, parents and children need to understand the expectations. Children are going to have fun and figure things out. And if they don’t like it, they don’t have to come back.

What discipline techniques do you use?
There are three rules for Play Club. If any of these are broken, there will be consequences. Consequences might include being banned from Play Club for a number of sessions, or indefinitely. If you want to come to Play Club, follow the rules.

1. No deliberately hitting or physically hurting anyone.

2. No leaving the grounds without permission.

3. Listen to the adults, who intervene only when they must.

Will the children get to use technology?
We love tech here at Fishie, but there is no technology at Play Club. For the most part it will be outdoor, loose parts play.