Play Bubbles - Summer 2020

Please ensure you have read and understood this information before completing a booking request form.

If you want to talk through any of this, please call Amy on 0117 910 3930.

We can’t wait to reopen the playground this summer, but it’s not been easy. We have a lot of new health & safety procedures in place and it will take us a couple of weeks to practice these and get into the swing of this new normal. Keeping your children and families, our volunteers and our staff safe is our top priority. We appreciate your patience and support with this.

PLEASE NOTE Play bubbles are currently fully booked - please join the waiting list in case a space becomes available.

What will happen over the Summer?

We will be opening for 90-minute Play Bubble sessions. You will be able to block book a weekly timeslot for between 8-10 children, you will have the same time slot for the whole 6-weeks of summer holidays.

Who will be in my Play Bubble?

You can coordinate with your family and friends to create your own Play Bubble. Each Play Bubble will be 8-10 children. If you don’t have 8 children in your Play Bubble we can join you with another smaller Play Bubble, we will discuss this with you first. If you aren’t sure – please call us on 0117 910 3930 and we can talk you through it!

As usual, our play sessions are aimed at 8-13 years, but under 8s are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult. There will be a maximum of 15 children + adults at the session, excluding our staff. If your child is not already registered at The Vench you will also need to complete this form.

You will keep the same timeslot for the 6-week summer holidays. No one in your group will be able to change timeslots and no one can mix between Play Bubbles.

You will need to identify a Play Bubble Lead Contact who must be an adult that we can liaise with to confirm your timeslot and in case we need to undertake any track and trace procedures. If we discover a COVID-19 case has entered the playground, we will contact you and you will need to ensure the whole Play Bubble take the necessary precautions (more information below in the “But What If…?” section).

Is there a cost?

Play Bubble sessions are free. This is a big undertaking for us and has increased our staff costs massively, so donations are very welcome if you can. We can take cash or card at the playground.

What should I bring?

Please ensure your children bring their own water bottle. We are hoping to have some snacks and packed lunches available, subject to funding.
Please be prepared for any weather, we will not be able to use any of the indoor space.
Please bring your own footballs, basketballs and bikes, this will help reduce our cleaning schedule. Helmets are mandatory. If you do not own a bike, please get in touch we may be able to help.
You are encouraged to bring and wear face masks. Our staff will use face masks when they can’t keep a 2m distance from adults or child in the play sessions, for example if they are at the top of the drop slide.

Will everything be open?

Play will only be outside – so come prepared for any weather! The trampoline, climbing wall and tunnel will be closed as these are more difficult to clean.
We will have 30 minutes between each session to clean the main touch points on the playground and toilets.
Wednesday afternoon sessions will be Lifecycle Bike Club, playing cycle games on the MUGA and learning tricks on the new pump track. All other sessions will be free play on the whole playground.

Before you book these are the REALLY IMPORTANT things you must agree to:

You must commit to only coming with your Play Bubble timeslot each week. NO ONE is allowed to mix between Play Bubbles. If you are away on your Play Bubble day one week, you will miss your Play Bubble that week.
Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes before your timeslot, you will not be able to enter the playground until it has been cleaned. The Play Workers will open the gates and check the Register when they are ready.
You have an important role to play in keeping everyone else safe too. You must commit to following current government guidance on social distancing outside of your Play Bubble session. This currently means maintaining at least 1m distance from people outside of your household. More info here.
You must frequently wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry thoroughly. This includes washing your hands on arrival at the playground, before and after eating, and after sneezing or coughing.
You must use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze into and use bins for tissue waste.
We encourage you to not use public transport when travelling to the playground. Please try and walk or cycle where possible or use a private vehicle. Always follow recommended travel guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
If you, your children or anyone in your household presents COVID-19 symptoms you must stay at home and self isolate for 14 days or until you receive a negative COVID-19 test. You must NOT attend your Play Bubble during this time.

Ok, I’ve read all these VERY IMPORTANT things and I understand that I have a responsibility to keep everyone at The Vench safe too. Now, please can I book?

Yes, please click here to complete our booking request form. We will add you to the waiting list and let you know if a space becomes available.

But What If...?

What if someone in my family is clinically vulnerable?

Parents and carers of children who are clinically vulnerable or extremely vulnerable, or live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, are responsible for taking the appropriate measures to keep that person safe. You should refer to current Public Health England’s Guidance on Shielding and Protecting People who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable from COVID-19.

What if someone becomes unwell at the Vench?

When a child, young person or staff member develops symptoms compatible with coronavirus (COVID-19), they should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 7 days and arrange to have a test to see if they have COVID-19. They can do this by visiting UKto arrange or contact NHS 119 via telephone if they do not have internet access. Their fellow household members should self-isolate for 14 days
If a child is awaiting collection, they will be moved, if possible, to our designated isolation space, depending on the age of the child and with appropriate adult supervision if required.
If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, they will use a separate bathroom. The bathroom will be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.
PPE will be worn by staff caring for the child while they await collection if 2 metres distance cannot be maintained (such as for a very young child or a child with complex needs).
In an emergency, we will call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. They MUST NOT visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.
If a member of staff has helped someone with symptoms, they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. They will wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell. Cleaning the affected area with normal household disinfectant after someone with symptoms has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

What if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at the Vench?

Where the child, young person or staff member tests negative, they can return to the Vench and the fellow household members can end their self-isolation.
Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, the rest of their Play Bubble will be informed and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. All members of the Play Bubble will be suspended from attendance for 14 days. The other household members of that wider group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms. Our staff that were on session will need to self-isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result.
You can view our whole risk assessment here.