FAQs
We understand that choosing the right programme for your child may be challenging. So, we’ve put together answers to the most common questions parents ask when booking with The Strings Club.
How Can I Get In Touch?
You can get in touch with our office team in a number of ways:
Email: info@thestringsclub.org | Call: 0121 296 9204
Office Hours: 09:00 – 17:00, Monday to Friday
Holiday Camps Hours: 08:00 – 18:00, Monday to Friday
Can You Come to My Child’s School?
Yes! We support primary schools with afterschool clubs in guitar, violin, or ukulele (Reception to Year 6).
To nominate your child’s school, please complete our “Nominate your child’s school for a #Music4All Afterschool Club” form.
How Do You Recruit, Check and Train Your Team Members?
We carefully select all team members based on their experience as dedicated string teachers and fully-trained childcare professionals. All staff undergo the following checks:
- DBS Enhanced Disclosure
- Two reference checks
- First-aid training
- Ongoing professional development and training
How Will I Be Kept In Touch About My Child?
We make it easy for you to stay updated on your child’s day at camp:
Essential Information Email: One week before camp, you'll receive one convenient email with all the details you need, including the team, timetable, location and parking.
Holiday Camp Manager Contact Number: You’ll also get the direct number for the Holiday Camp Manager in your Essential Information, so you can check in anytime.
6pm Daily Newsletter: Every evening, you'll receive a summary of what your child has been up to, along with access to our online gallery (photos shown only with consent).
Daily Diaries: A report each day highlighting the children's activities and achievements.
What Will My Child Be Doing?
Our Holiday Camps are full of fun, learning and music! You can view your child’s specific Holiday Camp Timetable one month in advance on our website.
08:00 – Early Bird Club: A calm and engaging start to the day with board games, arts and crafts, LEGO, books and musical activities.
Welcome and Music Games Session: A chance for children to settle in and meet their new friends.
Learn Together, Play Together: 2 x 45-minute sessions on their instrument.
Breaks and Lunch: 30-minute snack break with outdoor play, followed by a full hour for lunch.
Afternoon Workshops: Two carefully designed workshops based on a weekly theme to inspire creativity until pick-up.
Grand Concert: Each week concludes with a performance where children showcase their progress.
By the end of the week, your child will have experienced musical adventures, made new friends and developed skills for life.
What Is The Grand Concert?
Each Holiday Camp concludes with a Grand Concert on Friday at 3:30pm, where your child and their friends can proudly showcase what they’ve learned.
By the end of the week, your child will have experienced exciting musical adventures, made new friends and developed skills for life!
My Child Already Has Regular Music Lessons: Will They Be Bored?
Not at all! Our Course Leaders are experienced at teaching a range of ages and abilities. We regularly have children who play at a medium to high standard and love to give them opportunities to showcase their skills to other children.
If your child has a specific skill level, you’re welcome to share it with us in advance in order to allow the Course Leader to prepare activities suited to their abilities.
Does It Matter If My Child Is A Complete Beginner?
Our camps are perfect for first-time players. We often have parents trying the Holiday Camps to see if an instrument is the right fit before committing to regular lessons.
We Won’t Have An Instrument for the Holiday Camp!
Not to worry! Instrument hire is free at all of our Holiday Camps. For 1+ day bookings, your child can take home a guitar, violin or ukulele depending on the instrument provided at the venue.
What Is Your Staff-To-Child Ratio?
We exceed Ofsted ratio guidelines to ensure all children are supported with care. Our ratio is 1:8 for all ages, whether your child is 4 or 11.
Can I Pay With Childcare Vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare?
Yes! Many families use childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare and we aim to make the process as easy as possible.
We do require an upfront card payment within one week (or less) before camp to secure your child’s place. If you choose to pay via Tax-Free Childcare or Childcare Vouchers afterwards, we will refund your card once the payment has been processed on our end.
To facilitate the refund, please email your child’s payment reference to info@thestringsclub.org
What Is Your Cancellation / Refund Policy?
48 hours’ notice: We will refund with no additional fee.
Less than 48 hours’ notice: We are unable to make any changes to your booking and no refund will be issued, except in the case of illness or injury which must be supported by a doctor’s note.
For more information, please see our Holiday Camp Terms and Conditions.
What Is Your EYFS “Minis” Programme?
At The Strings Club, we are passionate about welcoming children as young as 4 years old for a full day of fun and learning. All of our Holiday Camps are EYFS Ofsted-registered to ensure high-quality early years care.
Our ‘Minis’ programmes are specifically designed for children aged 4-7 years (Reception to Year 2) and work closely with our EYFS policy.
- Morning “Learn Together, Play Together” sessions and afternoon workshops follow the 16 EYFS play types and 7 areas of learning.
- Each child is assigned a Key Person (an experienced Early Years practitioner) to support their learning and development.
- You will also receive a Daily Diary, keeping you fully informed about what your child(ren) did on the day.
What is a Named Contact?
A Named Contact is someone who is:
- Authorised to drop off a child at a Holiday Camp
- Authorised to collect a child at the end of the day
- To be contacted in case of illness or emergency
For safeguarding reasons, please email us your contact’s name and phone number at info@thestringsclub.org so that we can update our records accordingly.
My Child Requires Medication, How Should I Inform You?
The Named Contact must complete a “Permission to Administer Medication” form before camp (found in the Essential Info email sent a week before).
Designated First Aider(s) will administer or supervise self-administration and record it on a Medication Record Form, countersigned by the Named Contact at pick-up.
Only prescribed medications in their original container can be administered.
Children may keep personal medication (e.g., inhalers), which staff will store safely until needed.
Under no circumstances will the First Aider(s) administer medication against the will of a child.
What Are Your “Four Key Areas of Development”?
Our Holiday Camps stand out because of our passion and dedication to supporting the growth of every child in our care.
Every activity is designed around our “Four Key Areas of Development,” which are key to helping your child flourish and reaching their full potential.
What does it mean to be EYFS Ofsted Registered?
Being EYFS Ofsted Registered means our camps are regularly inspected and regulated by Ofsted, ensuring high-quality care. This includes:
Exceeding team member-to-child ratios.
Bringing music education to children as young as 4.
Offering progressive programmes to develop musical skills, life skills and a love for music.
Designing workshops that nurture a wide variety of skills, from dance and musical theatre to creative arts and ensemble playing.