The Truth About Holiday Clubs That Parents Often Don’t Know

The sun is out.

School’s nearly finished.

It’s that time of year when, for many parents, a holiday club or out-of-school activity feels like a godsend - a safe place for kids to play, learn, and socialise while you get on with work or enjoy a well-earned rest… right?!

But have you ever stopped to think about what really goes on behind the scenes when you hand over your children?

Maybe you don’t realise that, unlike schools or registered childcare, most holiday clubs aren’t legally required to have formal safeguarding policies in place. Many aren’t inspected, and many don’t have clear procedures for protecting children.

Crucially, many parents don’t even think to ask about this.

It’s easy to assume all childcare settings have safeguarding covered. But sadly, they don’t. And that’s a gap leaving many children vulnerable.

So, why does it matter?

When safeguarding isn’t prioritised or embedded in the culture, unsafe situations can slip through the cracks.

Who’s checked that staff have been properly vetted?

Do they even know what to do if a child shares something worrying?

How are concerns recorded and acted on - if at all?

These questions can be uncomfortable, but every parent deserves answers before signing up.

Let’s be honest - are we sometimes too trusting?

We want to believe that any place that looks fun and friendly is automatically safe.

But safeguarding isn’t about appearances or good intentions.

It’s not only about policies or training, though of course those are vital. It’s about a culture that puts children’s wellbeing first, every single time.

So, what can you do?

Ask. Don’t be shy about it.

Ask the holiday club about their safeguarding policy, or check to see if it's on their website.

Ask if their staff have had safeguarding training.

Ask how they handle concerns - if they can’t answer confidently, that’s a red flag!

Here’s a quick checklist to help you ask the right questions before you book:

• Does the club have a clear, written safeguarding policy?

• Are all staff DBS checked and vetted properly?

• Have staff received training on recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns?

• Is there a clear, child-friendly way for children to speak up if they feel unsafe?

• How does the club communicate safeguarding issues to parents?

• What is their process for handling complaints or concerns?

For instance, the holiday football club our youngest son goes to makes their safeguarding policy easy to find on their website. They’re clear about staff DBS checks, the training everyone receives, and the processes they follow. As parents, that gives us real reassurance and confidence when we send him there.

If a club can’t or won’t share this kind of information, it’s okay to ask - and it’s okay to expect honest answers.

If you can’t get satisfactory answers, keep asking. Or, consider looking elsewhere.

A huge request to holiday clubs and out-of-school providers who may be reading this: safeguarding isn’t optional.

It’s your duty to build trust with parents by having clear, robust and transparent systems in place. It’s not just paperwork. It’s the difference between a safe environment and a potential crisis waiting to happen.

At Cornerstone Safeguarding, we help clubs and providers build that culture of safety - from health checks and policy reviews, to training and supervision.

Out-of-school care must be more than just the fun and games it advertises.

As parents and providers, it’s on us to demand stronger standards, to ask the tough questions, and never settle for less.  Our children deserve to be kept safe.