FAQs

What’s the adult to child ratio at Basecamp?

We adhere to Ofsted requirements which for our EYFS children is one adult for every 4 children, and one adult for every 8 children in KS1 and KS2. All children at Basecamp have a dedicated keyworker. 

What qualifications do Basecamp staff have?

Our most senior staff at Basecamp are qualified childcare professionals who have extensive and relevant experience, they are supported by dedicated and enthusiastic Play Workers. Throughout each session the team ensure children’s safety and wellbeing, they engage children with activities and games, and encourage and participate in child-led play. 

At least one member of staff at each Basecamp session has been trained in paediatric first aid. Every member of staff at Basecamp has completed the Safeguarding Level 2 certification and we have 3 Designated Safeguarding Leads

What training does Basecamp provide to its staff?

At Basecamp we are committed to providing high quality childcare, and it’s only by supporting and developing our valued members of staff that we can achieve this. Our staff meet all minimum training requirements, and have also gained skills in additional training covering SEND, advanced safeguarding, first aid, Makaton, and food hygiene. 

As part of our ethos to be a childcare provider with purpose Basecamp is a member of the Living Wage Foundation, our staff are always paid fairly and never, ever for less than the hours they have worked for us. 

Where can I find the Basecamp safeguarding policy?

Our safeguarding policy is on our website. If you’d like to request a copy please email basecamp@thebridgese10.co.uk. There is also a printed copy of the policy on display at The Bridge. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to see this. 

Who is the Safeguarding Lead at Basecamp?

Jon Coppen, Lucy Harper and Lucie Murphy are all qualified Designated Safeguarding Leads. 

What policy does Basecamp have for data protection?

Our data protection policy is on our website. If you’d like to request a copy please email HQ@basecampchildcare.co.uk  There is also a printed copy of the policy on display at each site. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to see this.

Is Basecamp registered with Ofsted?

Basecamp has been registered with Ofsted since 2022, our URN is 2702953 for The Bridge. AS South Rise Primary and De Lucy Primary are new settings, our registration is pending with Osted. 

What Ofsted rating does Basecamp have?

Since 2019 Ofsted have used an inspection framework for out-of-school settings where there are three possible judgements- met, not met or not met with enforcement.

Basecamp provision began in September 2022. 

Ofsted inspected the provision at Basecamp at The Bridge at the judgement was met- which means that Basecamp is meeting the requirements.

Why is Basecamp not-for-profit?

Basecamp is not-for-profit because we believe that childcare should be affordable, accessible and that quality and standards shouldn’t ever be compromised by commercial objectives. It’s our ethos to be a childcare provider with purpose, we do as much as we can to support the families whose children we care for by offering complete flexibility, and to also serve our local community. 

How many children attend Basecamp?

Each day at Basecamp is different, and each day we have a different number of children at each session, however the maximum number of children we’ll have at any one session is 40.

This does mean that at times availability is limited, however our capacity means that we’re able to focus on quality of care and more tailored support and care for our children. 

Are children from different age groups kept apart at Basecamp?

Whilst we have a range of age-appropriate toys, activities, and play equipment, children are free to mix with each other, this means siblings can play together without any restrictions, and many of our younger and older children form new friendships, which they also benefit from when they are in their school environment. Our wonderful team are very mindful of our youngest children, and provide them with extra support and reassurance, especially when they are new to Basecamp. 

What’s the relationship between Basecamp and The Bridge?

In 2022, The Bridge ran a tender process for an out-of-school childcare provider that shared their community values, Basecamp was selected from the applicants and began its operations in September 2022. 

What is the procedure at Basecamp when taking children to and from Halstow school?

During term time and under the strict supervision of the Basecamp team children are safely escorted to and from school. Before school this involves the children walking through The Pleasaunce where they are dropped off in the school building depending on their year group, and reception children are handed over directly to their individual class teacher. 

After School Reception children are collected directly from their class teachers, children in years 1 and 2 are collected by a designated member of the Basecamp team, and meanwhile children in years 3, 4. 5 and 6 are met by another member of the team in the middle hall. 

All the children are then accompanied by the team to The Bridge, with a team member always at the back, middle and front of the group. Together the group enter The Pleasaunce through the top gate on Halstow Road and then proceed to The Bridge. All Reception children wear a high-visibility vest both ways, and we always maintain child to staff ratios, with many of our children choosing to hold hands with their friends or siblings as they transition from one site to the other. 

Who can I speak to at Basecamp if I have any concerns?

In the first instance please let one of the Basecamp Team Leaders on site know if you have a concern and they will do their best to address this for you. If necessary, concerns can be escalated and managed more formally by Lucie Murphy or Jon Coppen and you can contact her by email or phone. Serious concerns and those relating to Code of Conduct or safeguarding should be reported to Lucie Murphy or Jon Coppen. 

Does Basecamp support children with SEND?

All members of the Basecamp team are experienced in working with children who have SEND, and several team members are specialists in this area. We work closely with school staff to ensure we provide the best possible support to our SEND children. If a child with an EHCP requires one-to-one care we will seek to provide this.  

Do children do homework at Basecamp?

Our focus is on nurturing a child’s individual needs. If a child would like to do homework, we are happy to support this. Parents and carers should discuss this with their child’s keyworker. 

Do Basecamp collect children from clubs at school?

Yes, many of our children attend enrichment clubs at school; they are dropped off and collected by Basecamp staff who follow the same procedure for the start and the end of the school day. 

For children at South Rise and De Lucy, children are brought to Basecamp by teaching staff or other club leaders.

What happens when my chid starts Basecamp?

When parents enrol their child(ren) with Basecamp we ask them to share details, for example their child’s likes and dislikes, and what games and activities they enjoy. Before any child starts a member of the team will be allocated as their keyworker, and the whole team is briefed in advance of a child starting. 

Together our staff will do as much as possible to welcome and settle children when they join. Our team can also liaise with parents and teachers to discuss and accommodate any specific needs or considerations. 

Do I need to enrol my child before booking Basecamp childcare?

Yes please, this only take a few minutes online, or we can email you our registration form if you’d prefer. 

Each child requires a separate enrolment, and we ask for essential details including any medical conditions, allergies, or SEND, and emergency contact details which are safely stored in line with our data protection policy.  

Parents and carers are welcome to enrol their child/ren with Basceamp at any point, there’s no obligation to make a booking at the same time. Parents and carers who enrol online have their own account and access to our online system where they can arrange Basecamp childcare at their own convenience, make payments and view and download invoices. 

How flexible are Basecamp bookings?

Basecamp childcare is available to book on a regular or ad hoc basis. Parents and carers are welcome to arrange their childcare with Basecamp based on their own personal requirements. Providing there’s availability bookings can be made when it’s most convenient for parents and carers; whether that’s months in advance or on the same day. 

Basecamp fees are charged at 30-minute increments and there are no minimum requirements after the first 30 minutes. 

Is there a cancellation policy for Basecamp bookings?

If you would like to cancel a contract booking, we do ask for a week’s notice. If you would like to amend a booking, you can do that on the day via email. We can credit your account so you can book on at another more suitable time. Please email your club directly (delucy@bascampchildcare.co.uk / southrise@basecampchildcare.co.uk / basecamp@thebridgese10.co.uk )

If your child is unable to attend due to illness, we are unable to offer a refund but please notify us by text or email using the relevant number/address, so that we can amend our registers.
Cancellation by Basecamp due to inclement weather will be refunded. Cancellation by Parents/Carers due to inclement weather will not be refunded.

What food does Basecamp provide? 

Before school children are served breakfast; a selection of healthy cereal, toast with a choice of spreads, and fresh fruit. To drink we serve children water, milk, or fruit juice. 

After school at Basecamp, we have a daily menu of healthy and nutritious food that children enjoy at snack times, including fresh fruit and veggie sticks, raisins, bagels and crackers, and at teatimes, including freshly cooked pasta, baked potatoes, sandwiches, and soup.

Children at Basecamp always have access to fresh water to drink after school, and on especially cold days in the winter we serve warm milk or hot chocolate. 

Children are always fed as soon as they arrive at Basecamp after school, not all children eat at the same time or the same food because they arrive and leave at different times throughout each session. 

During school holidays children are served the same snacks as before and after school during term time, and we ask that they bring their own packed lunch. 

How does Basecamp monitor children with food allergies?

When parents enrol their child/ren with Basecamp we ask for details of any food allergies, we safely store this information and ensure all staff are aware of children with allergies, and provide a photo of each child with a list of their allergies attached. 

All staff receive training to use an EpiPen. 

Does Basecamp have a behavioural policy?

At Basecamp we are proud of our caring and inclusive culture, our staff lead by example with values of kindness, tolerance and understanding, and encourage all children to recognise why these values are important for all of us, at Basecamp and beyond. 

To support this culture, we apply the Zones of Regulation to help children understand their emotions, how their feelings can affect their behaviour and interactions, and the positive techniques they can use. 

We strongly believe in gentle conflict resolution; staff use this approach as far as possible, however if necessary, staff will implement more structured measures, for example a time-out. Staff will always explain the reasons why to a child, and their parent or carer. 

Does Basecamp have a policy on discipline?

As far as possible Basecamp staff will support children to understand their emotions and use the techniques in the Zones Of Regulation to promote positive behaviours and relationships. If this approach is not effective, and if a child’s behaviour is continually aggressive or poses a risk to themselves, other children or our staff, as a last resort will ask parents or carers to remove their child from the setting.