Our educator to children ratio for children aged 5 and up is between 1:8 and 1:12, which exceeds Ofsted requirements for this age group. For children in our Little Forest School Camp the ratio is 1:4. It is also lower for activities, such as fire-making or whittling, which carry a higher risk. This is key to the quality of the experiences we create with children. More information is available on our Safety Policies page.
The Hive works with a wide range of expert facilitators. Some have been with us since we started. Others joined us more recently. Their background is hugely varied - they may be school teachers, artists, early years practitioners, film-makers, teachers, actors, architects, botanists, herbalists, bushcraft experts, forest school practitioners, kite makers, woodworkers, bee keepers, etc. - but a passion for sharing their skills and expertise with children is common to all of them.
All our facilitators are DBS checked and experienced in running workshops for children. Prior to employment, The Hive asks for proof of all qualifications, as well as professional references and all have to undertake our compulsory in-house training. Each site also includes several first aiders.
At The Hive, our focus is first and foremost on helping children connect with the outdoors, the natural world and each other. Over the years, we’ve intentionally reduced the amount of technology we use in response to both our own philosophy and parent feedback around limiting screen time.
Most of our missions involve little or no technology at all. Children spend the majority of their time building, exploring, creating, problem-solving and playing outdoors without screens.
Where technology is used, it is always purposeful, brief and linked directly to a specific activity. For example, children may:
Some specialist missions involve more technology than others. For example, our Makers Lab missions may include occasional use of 3D modelling software to support design and build projects. Some of our Science & Tech and Creative Outdoors missions also include more technology use than others. For example, we use iPads to create our movies in "Project Spyglass"; laptops and iPads to create our business plans in "Project Start Up"; and laptops and iPads to code our kites in "Aeronauts."
Our approach is designed to help children develop confidence, imagination and practical problem-solving skills while remaining engaged with the natural world.
Our technology set-up complies with Ofsted requirements and is in line with school provision.
All our missions have daily itineraries, which are available for parents to browse. Please email camp@thehive-kids.com to request the mission itineraries, or take a look at the individual mission pages to find out more.
Missions start at 9.30am and finish at 4pm. The flow of the day follows a traditional school day: children have a morning break of 15 minutes at 11am, a lunch break of 60 minutes at 12.30pm and an afternoon break of 15 minutes at 2.30pm.
We have 3 levels of pricing, depending on the complexity of a mission, our teacher to child ratios, and the amount of materials and equipment needed. Click here to see our prices.
Yes, The Hive offers discounts for siblings and multi-week bookings, and for returning families. Please click here to see all the discounts we offer, as well as our discount policy.
Safeguarding
All our facilitators are DBS checked. Prior to employment, The Hive also follows the "Safer Recruitment" process recommended by Ofsted. We request a full employment history and ask for proof of all qualifications. We also collect professional references and all staff have to undertake our compulsory in-house safeguarding training.
Technology
To complete our missions, the children sometimes use team iPads. All tablets are set up to comply with Ofsted school online safety requirements and children are only able to access pre-loaded apps, information and functions linked to the challenges. They're never asked to register, sign-in or share any personal data. More information is available on our Safety Policies page.
Risk assessments
All our equipment and activities are risk assessed, as are the grounds and buildings we use at camp. We also carry out a dynamic risk assessment throughout each mission. Our risk assessment documentation is on site at all times and parents are welcome to look through at drop-off or pick-up. More information is also available on our Safety Policies page.
All camps have at least one certified Paediatric First Aider holding a valid First Aid certificate that is less than 3 years old. At least one facilitator per location is also an Ofsted approved Paediatric First Aider. Facilitators may also be Outdoor First Aid or Forest School First Aid Certified.
We are covered by a £5m public liability Forest School insurance. Our insurance company is Birnbeck Finance Ltd, a Forest School Insurance Specialist. A copy of our policy is on site at all times and parents are welcome to look through during drop-off or pick-up. Our policy is also available to view and download in our Safety Policies page.
The Hive is registered with Ofsted, on the Early Years Register (Blackheath Prep and Dulwich Prep), as well as and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (all our camps).
Our Registration Certificate numbers are:
Blackheath Prep: 2881850
Dulwich Prep & Senior: 2885677
Merchant Taylors' School: 2645447
St Paul's School: 2860110
The Hive is for children between 3 and 11, who work in small age appropriate groups. We cannot welcome children younger than 3, but are sometimes able to accommodate children older than 11. If you have any questions about our age policy, please get in touch: camp@thehive-kids.com
Our Missions start at 9.30am and run through to 4pm. We also offer an extended care option from 8.30am through to 6pm for an additional cost. Click here for more information. Please note that we charge a £5 fine per 5 minutes for parents picking up their children later than 6pm, as we have to pay our staff extra time.
Childminders, friends or family members authorised by you in writing at registration may collect your child from camp. If your child is being collected by an adult other than the person who dropped them off, we ask that you email us in advance to provide written consent.
Children should come to Camp ready for an active outdoor day. We recommend comfortable, sporty clothes (i.e. tracksuit bottoms and trainers), as well as a waterproof jacket and welly boots if rain is forecast, and sun hat or cap during hot weather. A change of clothes might be also be good if the weather is wet.
Children should bring a healthy, nut-free packed lunch, along with morning and afternoon snacks. We also recommend packing additional snacks if your child is due to stay with us for morning or afternoon extended care.
Please also provide a refillable water bottle that children can take with them throughout the day. Drinking water is always available for refills.
We ask that you pack sun cream for your child and, where possible, apply it before arrival at camp. While our staff are unable to apply sun cream directly, we will remind children throughout the day to reapply it themselves.
To help us return lost property, please ensure that all belongings are clearly named where possible.
At the time of booking, please give us as much information regarding medical conditions and medication as possible in order for us to appropriately care for your child during their time at The Hive. We will require you to fill out a medical form prior to Camp, but we will send these out with your confirmation email. All information you provide at the time of booking will be with our staff on Camp by the time you arrive for your first day.
Since September 2014, children suffering from allergies are required to bring two Epipens to camp. The Hive will refuse any child not carrying two Epipens.
Yes, if you specify it at the time of booking. We always ensure that friends and siblings are together, especially if this is your first booking at The Hive. Just mention it to the team:)
Our missions run rain or shine: good waterproofs mean that activities can take place outside:) The Hive has also access to school buildings, in case of dangerous weather.
Yes, absolutely! All Hive missions finish with an exhibition, showcase or performance for parents. The format depends on each particular theme and project. We usually ask parents to arrive between 15 and 30 minutes early to get the most of the showcases.
Credit and Debit Cards We currently accept any credit or debit card with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express Logo.
Childcare Vouchers We also accept Childcare Vouchers. The Hive is registered with most Childcare Voucher providers from Kiddivouchers through to EdenRed, ComputerShare, Care-4 and many more. Please follow the instructions provided at the check-out when booking online.
In the event of cancellation by you, a refund will only be issued if such cancellation is notified in writing to The Hive at least one month before the commencement of the Camp. An administration charge of £50 per week per child will be deducted from the refund. No refunds will be issued for bookings cancelled in the last month prior to the date of the camp. A credit may be issued at the discretion of The Hive.
If, for any reason, the Camp is cancelled by The Hive, the total liability of The Hive will not exceed that proportion of the Fees The Hive have actually received.
Fees are non-returnable for students arriving late, leaving early or missing a day of camp (whether on account of illness or any other cause). If the course has been booked, then the full fees are payable.
As part of our B Corp commitments, we do all we can to keep our programmes accessible to as many children as possible. 15% of all children attending The Hive benefit from our scholarship scheme.
Please email camp@thehive-kids.com if you would like your child to benefit from attending The Hive but the cost is too high.
We consider each application on its merit and allocate scholarships accordingly. Please note that you will be required to fill in a short application form.
