Oxford Active Playscheme

Who can join?

Children between the ages of 4 and 14 years. Activities for the under-8s will be separate from the older children except where there are places for under-8s to join the older activities if they wish to. It is a private playscheme, and University/College/OUP staff and students are entitled to the discounted rates quoted on the booking form if they book by the given deadline.

Where it is?  

The playscheme is held at Cherwell School (South Site) – the old Frideswide site – in Marston Ferry Road, Summertown, Oxford. The school is superbly equipped with excellent playing fields, tennis courts, playgrounds including a newly-built adventure playground, and two indoor gym halls. In addition there is good access to the Ferry Pool just across the road.

How to get there?  

Parents can drop off their children by car or bicycle. There is good access from the Oxford ring road and from Marston and Headington via the Marston Ferry Road.

Free minibus - Some parents may find this location difficult if travelling on public transport from south of the city. There is a free minibus service from the centre of town, collecting children at 8.45 a.m. and returning them after the day's activities at 5.15 p.m. The mini-bus pick-up point is the parking bay at the University Museum, Parks Road. If you request this service on your booking form, please be at the pick-up point on time. This is very important for the playscheme staff and other users of the service. Telephone Oxford Active as soon as you can if you are unavoidably delayed.

How much is it?

If your booking and payment are received 14 days before the start of the playscheme, the following prices apply. A booking for one child will be £25 per full day.  Bookings for a second or further children will be £23 for a full day.  Employees of Oxford University can also pay using Childcare Voucher Scheme.

What will children be doing?

For all children there will be a morning activity session, 9.30-12.30, and an afternoon activity session, 1.30-4.30 p.m. There will be breaks with squash and biscuits provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Lunch will be from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. There will be a tuck shop available during the afternoon (max spend 25p per child)

During the periods before and after the activity sessions, the children remain fully supervised but take part in less structured activities. There is a room for board games, lego, etc., a television room, the main hall for free play, and a quiet reading room.

Children will be offered a choice of activities each day from the range below. The choice will comprise contrasting activities to ensure that all children can find something to do which they will enjoy.

Arts and Crafts - Children can try their hand in the Art Room at all kinds of creative activities such as painting, drawing and model-making.

Outdoor sports - There are outdoor sports on the playing fields. Games include football, netball, rounders, cricket and hockey. More than one game may be going on at one time. The sessions will be led by a qualified coach.

Indoor sports - There are indoor sports in the Sports Hall. Children will be offered a variety of indoor sports and games including versions of badminton, short tennis, and basketball.

Activity boxes - There are activity boxes, and more unusual crafts and activities from the Oxfordshire Play Association such as marbling, modroc (like clay), badge making, and fabric fun.

Fun games - Parachute games, playground games, role-playing and drama games; each with an element of co-operation, and lots of fun.

Outings

All children will have the opportunity to go on outings during the playscheme. Extra charges may apply, and you should book a place before the start of the playscheme as places fill up quickly. However, parents should note that they are optional and a range of activities will run in parallel with these outings on site. Please contact the office for information on the particular outings arranged for that playscheme.

What should your child bring with them?

Children should be dressed appropriately for the activities they will be doing e.g. old clothes for painting and crafts, tracksuit or T-shirt and shorts and training shoes for games, swimming kit for swimming days, and suitable outdoor clothes. Please label ALL items.

Children should bring a packed lunch. (It's a long day so pack plenty!) Squash, fruit and biscuits will be provided at breaks.

When is the next playscheme?

This playscheme will be run on a regular basis during the school holidays. Normally that includes half-terms, following the Oxfordshire County Council's school terms. Dates will be published on this website a few weeks in advance of each holiday. If you would like to receive an e-mail reminder when it is time to book, please e-mail childcare@admin.ox.ac.uk . If you are an OUP employee please contact OUP personnel about reminders.

Are there vacancies for the next playscheme?  

Please check with the playscheme organiser. As this is a large playscheme, parents who book early are highly likely to be given a place.

How do I contact the scheme?

Contact Oxford Active on Tel: 01865 594325 or email them at info@oxfordactive.co.uk

Booking forms:

Please book online at Oxford Active or telephone 01865 594324