ZAP is fully compliant with holiday activity club provider requirements, with its own fully trained (Bromley Level 5) Designated Safeguarding Lead, First Aiders as well as staff who are trained in supporting children with Epilepsy. More information about its policies can be found on the club website.

 

Children attending ZAP have a very personalised experience with Mikayla and her team from the outset. Once bookings are confirmed, families are sent relevant visuals and photographic social stories to prepare their little ones for the ZAP experience. This includes photographs of the staff they’ll be working with, the environment and arts/crafts and sporting activities on offer. Parents are encouraged to provide ZAP with as much information as possible about their little ones needs, interests and likes. This allows the ZAP team to design bespoke activities and resources to encourage and support positive engagement during sessions and provides a good starting point to understanding their skill levels. 

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On the day of club, parents and children are warmly greeted by staff at the drop-off point identified on the social story and staff are very experienced in supporting with this transition. Throughout the day, children are supported with visual timetables, now and next boards and are guided through the different arts/crafts and sporting activities on offer. Activities are often themed and seasonal based (e.g. arts and craft projects linked to Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Summer etc). Given the needs of the children we support, reasonable adjustments are implemented to ensure that children at ZAP are supported to regulate using different strategies. We are conscious of children's sensory diet and OT needs; and the impact this has on their ability to participate in taught sessions if these aren't met - therefore during their break and lunchtimes, children enjoy sensory input including water, sand and shaving foam play. The sensory room and soft-play areas are accessible when required, along with quiet break-out areas for children who need some ‘down-time’ before returning to their art/craft or sporting activities. For children who like to explore with taste, there are plenty of edibles in club with fruit snacks provided, and children particularly enjoy biscuit decorating (and eating!). We are very creative and do also undertake arts/crafts with food which often acts as a motivator to their engagement during sessions. 

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To support with wider access for families with a low income, parents can request a funded session if they meet the eligibility criteria which is inline with the Bromley Local Authority Free School Meals requirements. Mikayla and the team attend regular networking events and encourage small and local businesses in Bromley to sponsor a child’s space at ZAP. These funds are used to sponsor a child’s space in full, or when there is high demand, to provide discounts to multiple children enabling them to attend. Current regular business sponsors include Cannon Cars, Harpers Restaurant, Raifes of West Wickham and Eden Events. From time to time, private individual sponsors have also made donations for these vulnerable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend.

 

ZAP also works closely with CASPA, Bromley’s Local Autism Charity who have recently featured a podcast / live video interview with Mikayla, Director of ZAP Kids. Sarah Towler, CEO of CASPA highlighted how ZAP compliments the CASPA club offer and how this service is very much needed and welcomed in and amongst the SEN community of Bromley. ZAP is also an approved arts/crafts holiday activity club provider for Bromley Children's Family Forum who organise the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme on behalf of Bromley Council.