Table of Contents
Welcome to Mini’s #
- Purpose: To provide a safe, nurturing, and fun introduction to camp for our youngest children.
- Vision: Build confidence, independence, and joy through structured play and gentle activities.
- Adventure Camps Way reminder (High-level energy + safety-first).
Age Group & Development Needs #
Ages: 3–4 years old.
Developmental Characteristics:
- Short attention span (10–20 mins max).
- Strong need for routine and familiarity.
- Developing social skills; parallel play common.
- Physical play important for growth (fine and gross motor).
Programme Principles:
- Simplify activities.
- Celebrate small wins.
- Focus on emotional security.
Staffing & Ratios #
Ratios: 1:8 recommended (1:10 maximum).
Staffing Roles:
- Minis Lead → overall responsibility.
- Assistant Leaders → support, supervise, engage children.
Staff must:
- Be extra vigilant with safeguarding.
- Manage toileting and snack/lunch supervision with sensitivity and professionalism.
Weekly & Daily Themes #
Weekly themes
- Fairy tales
- Under the Sea
- Around the World
- Jungle
Daily themes
- United Monday
- Throwdown Tuesday
- Wacky Wednesday
- Goin’ Green Thursday
- Celebrate Friday
Activity Categories #
Equipment List #
Outdoor & Physical Play
- Parachute (large, brightly coloured)
- Soft balls (various sizes, foam or inflatable)
- Beanbags (different textures)
- Cones/markers (to set boundaries, mini obstacle courses)
- Balance beams / stepping stones (foam or plastic, low-level)
- Tunnels (pop-up fabric tunnels)
- Mini hoops / hula hoops (soft or foam-covered)
- Ride-ons/trikes (age-appropriate, optional)
- Bubble machine + bubble solution
- Water play tubs & buckets (for sponge toss, pouring games)
- Soft skittles / bowling pins
- Chalk for playground marking
Creative & Craft Materials
- Large crayons, chunky pencils, and markers
- Paints (washable, non-toxic, poster paint)
- Paintbrushes (large handles for grip)
- Glue sticks & PVA glue (non-toxic)
- Coloured paper & card
- Tissue paper, foil, fabric scraps
- Stickers, foam shapes, googly eyes
- Child-safe scissors (blunt ends)
- Pipe cleaners, craft sticks, straws
- Stampers and sponges (with paint trays)
- Aprons / painting smocks
Sensory Play
- Playdough (homemade or bought, large tubs)
- Slime / gloop trays (cornflour and water, optional)
- Rice, pasta, lentils (for trays — dyed for colour play)
- Sand tray & toys (buckets, spades, moulds)
- Water beads (supervised only)
- Foam / shaving cream trays (messy play)
- Scoops, cups, funnels, spoons (for pouring activities)
- Textured balls and fidget toys
- Sensory bottles / glitter bottles
- Large mats & tarps (for containing messy play)
Story & Imagination
Story sacks (book + props/puppets to act out story)
Big books / picture books
Soft puppets (hand and finger puppets)
Dressing-up costumes (capes, hats, animals, storybook characters)
Roleplay sets (kitchen, doctor kit, shop till, builder’s kit)
Soft dolls and teddies
Toy vehicles, farm animals, dinosaurs
Play tents / pop-up dens (quiet play corners)
Music & Movement
- Shakers, maracas, tambourines, drums
- Xylophones or chime bars
- Scarves/ribbons for dancing
- CD player/speaker with playlist (nursery songs, action songs)
- Yoga mats or soft mats (animal yoga, stretching games)
- Freeze dance cards (visuals for stop/go)
Furniture & Zone Setup
- Child-size chairs & tables
- Floor mats/cushions (for circle time, quiet zones)
- Storage boxes / trays (labelled for craft, toys, and sensory materials)
- Quiet corner setup (tent, beanbag, sensory toys)
- Whiteboard / visual timetable board (for showing daily routine)
Safety & Hygiene
- First aid kit (with paediatric focus)
- Wipes, tissues, hand sanitiser
- Aprons/smocks (for messy play and eating)
- Gloves (staff use for toileting accidents)
- Spare clothes (for Minis accidents/spills)
- Child-safe cleaning spray & cloths
- Water bottles & cups (if not provided by parents)
Daily Schedule #
| Time | Activity | Notes for Staff |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00–09:00 | Early Club (quiet play, stories) | Calm welcome, sensory toys. |
| 09:00–09:15 | Welcome Circle | Songs, names, visual plan for the day. |
| 09:15–09:45 | Activity Block 1 (Creative) | Painting, building, simple crafts. |
| 09:45–10:15 | Outdoor Play | Parachute games, obstacle course, bubbles. |
| 10:15–10:30 | Snack & Toilet Break | Strict hygiene, allergy checks. |
| 10:30–11:00 | Activity Block 2 (Imagination) | Story-led play, dressing up, roleplay corners. |
| 11:00–11:30 | Music & Movement | Action songs, yoga animals, freeze dance. |
| 11:30–12:00 | Lunch | Calm, structured, supervised. |
| 12:00–12:30 | Quiet Time | Story corner, mats, colouring. |
| 12:30–13:00 | Activity Block 3 (Nature Play) | Treasure hunt, bug spotting, nature crafts. |
| 13:00–13:30 | Free Play | Safe stations: Lego, puzzles, sensory trays. |
| 13:30–14:00 | Snack & Toilet Break | Staff on rotation. |
| 14:00–14:30 | Camper Planned Activity | Child choice: 2–3 pre-set options. |
| 14:30–15:00 | Outdoor Game | Parachute, soft ball games, water play. |
| 15:00–15:15 | Closing Circle | Highs of the day, goodbye song. |
| 15:15–16:00 | Parent Pick-Up | Handover with “golden nugget.” |
Safety & Safeguarding #
- Toileting: Follow safeguarding protocols (never alone, record support given).
- Food Safety: No sharing food, allergy-safe zones, parent notes checked daily.
- Supervision: Staff spaced out; never leave a child unsupervised.
- Emotional Safety: Expect tears → distract, reassure, engage.
- Ratios: Always maintained (no exceptions).
Inclusion & Adaptations #
- Offer sensory-friendly quiet corners.
- Provide simple instructions + visual cues.
- Adapt activities for ability (bigger crayons, larger balls).
- Pair shy children with supportive peers.
Parent Communication #
- Drop-off: Warm, calm welcome; reassure nervous parents.
- Pick-up: Share a positive “golden nugget” from the day.
- Complaints: Escalate to Site Manager immediately (see Complaints Protocol).
End-of-Week Showcase #
- Minis “parade” → song performance, art gallery of crafts, bubble finale.
- Keep it short (10–15 minutes).
- Invite parents to celebrate achievements.
Staff Tips for Success #
- Use songs and chants often — routines create security.
- Keep sessions short and varied.
- Celebrate small achievements daily.
- Bring props, silliness, and imagination to every session.
- Stay patient — this is often a child’s first independent experience.
