1. Safety Should Always Come First

Before you look at the activities, the facilities or even the price, ask yourself one simple question:

Would I genuinely trust this organisation with my child?

Nothing matters more than your child's safety, and every reputable holiday camp or school holiday childcare provider should be completely transparent about how they keep children safe.

Don't be afraid to ask about:

• Safeguarding procedures
• Staff-to-child ratios
• Recruitment and DBS checks
• Paediatric first aid training
• How medical conditions and allergies are managed
• What happens if a child becomes upset or anxious
• Whether they're Ofsted registered (where applicable)

A quality holiday camp will welcome these questions because safeguarding isn't simply a box to tick, it's at the heart of everything they do.

The best providers don't expect parents to simply assume their child will be safe. They actively demonstrate it through their policies, their communication and, most importantly, their people.

After all, safety isn't an added extra: it's the foundation on which every great holiday camp is built.

 

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2. Look Beyond the Activities

Every holiday camp has an impressive list of activities.

Football.

Archery.

Arts and crafts.

Outdoor games.

Inflatables.

They're all fantastic, and they certainly play a part in creating a memorable experience.

But here's something we've learned after welcoming thousands of children to our children's holiday camps over the years:

Children rarely remember the timetable.

They remember how they felt.

They remember the group leader who made them laugh.

The friend they met on the first day.

The member of staff who noticed they were nervous and helped them settle in.

The moment they found the confidence to try something they never thought they could.

The feeling of belonging.

 

Activities create opportunities. People create memories.

So, when comparing holiday camps, don't just ask, "What activities do they offer?"

Also ask, "How do they make children feel?"

The very best holiday camps don't simply fill the day with exciting activities. They create an environment where children feel safe, included and confident enough to make friends, try new things and leave each day excited to come back tomorrow.

Because long after the school holidays have ended, it's those moments that children remember most.

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3. The Team Makes All the Difference

Facilities matter.

Equipment matters.

Activities matter.

But none of those things will shape your child's experience as much as the people leading the camp.

A great team can turn an ordinary activity into an unforgettable memory.
An unengaged team can make even the most exciting day fall flat.

That's why, when choosing a holiday camp or childcare provider, it's worth looking beyond the facilities and asking how they invest in their people.

Find out:

• How staff are recruited and vetted
• What training they receive before camp begins
• Whether they receive ongoing coaching and development
• How experienced the leadership team is
• How the organisation supports its staff throughout the year

The best children's holiday camps understand that exceptional experiences don't happen by accident. They invest just as much in developing their people as they do in buying equipment or planning activities.

A well-trained, enthusiastic team creates an environment where children feel safe, supported and confident enough to step outside their comfort zone, make new friends and try new things.

At the end of the day, children won't remember every activity they took part in. They'll remember the people who made them feel welcome, believed in them and couldn't wait to see them again tomorrow.

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4. Read the Reviews But Read Between the Lines

Five-star ratings are great.

But the words tell the real story.

When reading reviews for a holiday camp or childcare provider, look beyond the overall rating and pay attention to the themes that keep appearing.

Do parents consistently mention:

• Friendly, caring staff
• Excellent communication
• Children asking to come back
• Staff going above and beyond
• Children growing in confidence
• A welcoming atmosphere

One glowing review can be luck.

Dozens (or even hundreds) of parents saying the same thing usually isn't.

Reviews often reveal the culture behind a holiday camp far better than any brochure or website ever could.

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5. Think About Your Child's Personality

Every child is different. 

Some settle in straight away, while others need a little more time and reassurance. 

Some enjoy energetic sports all day while others prefer creative activities or quieter spaces.

A good holiday camp recognises these differences and creates an environment where every child feels welcome, not just the loudest or most confident.

If it's your child's first time at camp, don't be afraid to ask how the team helps new children settle in during those first few hours.

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6. Communication Builds Confidence

Parents don't expect perfection.

They expect honesty.

Great communication is one of the biggest signs of a quality childcare service.

You should feel informed before your child arrives.

Reassured while they're at camp.

Confident that if anything important happens, you'll hear about it.

Trust isn't built through advertising.

It's built through communication.

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7. Ask About Staff Training

This is one question many parents forget to ask.

It also happens to be one of the most important.

Great staff don't appear overnight.

They're developed.

Children deserve more than supervision.

They deserve adults who understand how to encourage confidence, manage behaviour positively and create an environment where everyone feels included.

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8. Value Isn't Always the Cheapest Option

It's natural to compare prices.

But the cheapest option isn't always the best value.

When choosing a holiday camp, you're investing in your child's happiness, confidence, safety and memories.

Sometimes paying a little more means:

• Smaller group sizes
• Better-trained staff
• Higher-quality equipment
• More personalised care
• Greater peace of mind

Those things are difficult to put a price on.

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9. Trust Your Instincts

After you've done your research, trust your instincts.

Visit the website. Look through the photos. Read the reviews. Speak to the team. Ask questions.

Then ask yourself one simple question:

Would I feel happy leaving my child here?

Do the team seem genuinely passionate? Do they talk about children before activities? Do they take an interest in your child's individual needs?

Great holiday camps don't just answer your questions, they give you confidence from the very first conversation.

If something doesn't feel right, keep looking. The right holiday camp won't just tick every box on paper; it'll leave you feeling reassured that your child will be safe, supported and genuinely cared for.

That feeling matters.

Choosing the Right Holiday Camp Is About More Than Childcare

The best holiday camps are about far more than keeping children busy.

They're places where friendships begin, confidence grows, new interests are discovered and challenges are overcome.

At Let's Leap, we've always believed that great school holiday childcare is about creating an environment where every child feels safe enough to try something new, supported enough to be themselves and encouraged to discover what they're capable of.

Years from now, your child probably won't remember every game they played or every activity they took part in.

They'll remember the team member who made them feel welcome.
 The friend they laughed with.
 The challenge they were proud to overcome.
 And the feeling of arriving each morning excited for another day.

That's what makes a truly great holiday camp.

Because the greatest memories aren't built by activities alone, they're built by the people who make children feel seen, valued and believed in.

And as a parent, there's nothing more important than that.