We try to keep our terms and conditions straightforward. We hope you will agree that what we set out here provides clear guidelines of what you can expect from us and what we, in return, expect from you.
Parental involvement at sessions
Parents are expected to supervise their children during sessions, ensuring they are keeping themselves and others safe in relation to the activities they are engaging with at any time during a session. We do not encourage ‘hovering’ over your child/childen, rather allowing them ‘space’ to explore and play. However, parents are expected to have visual sight of their child/children and be prepared to intervene if ‘play’ is putting either themselves or others at risk. Parental supervision is particularly relevant to activities involving sticks and den building where a parent need to be stationed within a distance where child guidance/intervention is possible with appropriate response facilitated with immediacy.
NB Our staff are there to guide and support and, for both adults and children, to point out risks associated with activities. If you need someone to keep an eye on one child whilst you take another child to the toilet, or are dealing with a behaviour issue we are always willing to provide assistance to support you, but not to replace you!
Safeguarding
We have policies and procedures related to safeguarding for both service-users and staff,/volunteers which we can provide for you to read on request. If you have any questions about safeguarding in relation to a child or vulnerable adult then please contact us. We provide confidentiality in relation to information shared with us by service-users, except in circumstances where disclosure makes it a legal obligation to share information with appropriate professionals
Payment for sessions
Payment in advance by BACS transfer or Paypal is required in advance of attending sessions
Cancellation
Our sessions carry on in all weathers, excepting those considered to pose an adverse risk, such as high winds or thunderstorms. In such an event the session will be rearranged.
If the session leader has to cancel due to illness or unforeseen circumstances then the session will be refunded.
Cancellation by Parent/Carer
Cancellation with expectation of a refund for a season related booking must be made at least 10 days before the start of any block of booked-for session, to allow enough time for others on the waiting list to be given the opportunity to attend. There are no refunds given for individual sessions missed during a series, or for one-off sessions.
Photography/video
We take pictures and sometimes video clips to be able to show other people what goes on at the our sessions. If you do not want yourself and/or your child to feature in photos/video that may be shared online then it is your responsibility to let the session leader know. Please be aware that other parents also take photos/video of their children, which may include your child in the background. If this is an issue for you then please speak to the session leader, before you attend a session so that she can advise other parents of your preference.
What shall we wear?!
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just poor kit” Suitable clothing, for the environment and the weather are really important. The following has been prepared as a checklist to help you prepare your child for his/her Forest School experience.
Suitable clothing
- Long sleeved T-Shirt or shirt
- Fleecy top or jumper
- Long trousers
- Socks that stay up inside Wellington boots
- Wellington boots or waterproof shoes/boots
- Waterproof coat
- Hat
- Gloves
Unsuitable clothing
- Short sleeved T-shirts (bare arms can get stung by nettles)
- Shorts (bare legs can be scratched and stung)
- Leggings (too thin to provide proper protection from brambles/nettles)
- Sandals
- Crocs or similar type footwear (soles do not provide adequate protection)
Protecting your privacy
Please see our full privacy policy on separate button, but in short, Any personal information, stored on paper, relating to adults or children attending sessions is only kept whilst families are continuing to attend sessions. Emails provided for booking purposes will not be automatically added to our mailing list, you will need to subscribe to our list via our website here or give permission via a session feedback form to be added to the mailing list to receive regular news and updates. Please feel free to unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time.
Feedback and Concerns
We encourage all participants and carers/parents to give us feedback about their experience at any of our sessions. We actively encourage a two-way conversation about anything that you’ve found particularly helpful or has caused/is causing concern. Feedback can be given verbally to me, Tabitha, or by telephoning me on 077585 12797, or by email via fenzenretreats@outlook.com or by emailing our director Gary Younge on garry262@btinternet.com
We aim to be as open, honest and as straightforward as possible with you, carers/parents in order to maintain a constructive two way flow of communication. We update our terms and conditions from time to time, in response to need and to aid clarification in relation to family session operational aspects. If there is anything you feel would be helpful to add to these Terms and Conditions then please let us know.
