FAQs | Little Giggles Childcare – Play Lounge

Question 1

Are all your staff DBS checked?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Every member of the Little Giggles team holds a current Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate, which is renewed regularly. We can provide copies of certificates on request prior to your event.

Question 2

Do your practitioners hold first aid qualifications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our childcare practitioners are certified in Paediatric First Aid and carry a fully stocked first aid kit to every event. Our first aid certifications are kept up to date and renewed every three years.

Question 3

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Little Giggles holds full public liability insurance of £5 million. We can provide a copy of our insurance certificate to venues or event planners on request.

Question 4

What staff-to-child ratios do you maintain?

Accepted Answer

We follow Ofsted-aligned ratios throughout every booking. For children aged 2–3 we maintain a 1:4 ratio, and for children aged 3–10 we maintain a 1:8 ratio. We always err on the side of caution and will recommend additional staff for larger groups or mixed age ranges.

Question 5

Do you carry out risk assessments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A full risk assessment is carried out for every event setup before any children enter the play lounge. We assess the space, equipment, and any specific venue considerations. We're happy to share our risk assessment documentation with venues in advance.

Question 6

What ages do you cater for?

Accepted Answer

We cater for children aged 2 to 10 years old. All activities, toys, and equipment are carefully selected to be age-appropriate and engaging for this range. We can accommodate mixed age groups and will tailor the activity stations accordingly.

Question 7

What activities do you provide?

Accepted Answer

Our play lounges typically include arts and crafts, soft play, sensory activities, games, puzzles, and themed creative play. For older children we include STEM activities and more structured games. We can tailor the activity mix to suit your event theme or the ages of children attending.

Question 8

Can you accommodate children with additional needs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're experienced in working with children with a range of additional needs and are happy to discuss specific requirements in advance. We can set up a dedicated quiet or sensory zone as part of your package, and our team will always take time to understand each child's individual needs on the day.

Question 9

What happens if a child becomes upset or unwell?

Accepted Answer

Our practitioners are trained to manage distressed children calmly and sensitively. We have a quiet wind-down area as standard. If a child becomes unwell, we will contact the parent or guardian immediately. Our first aid-trained staff are always on hand, and we will follow our safeguarding procedures at all times.

Question 10

Do parents need to stay on site?

Accepted Answer

Parents or guardians must remain on the premises at all times — we are not a drop-off service. However, they are free to enjoy the event fully while we look after the children. We will always know how to reach a parent quickly if needed.

Question 11

How far in advance should I book?

Accepted Answer

We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for weddings and peak summer dates. Popular weekends can book up 12–18 months in advance. That said, we do occasionally have availability for shorter-notice bookings, so it's always worth getting in touch even if your event is soon.

Question 12

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We are based in South London and cover London, Surrey and the surrounding Home Counties as standard. We can travel further afield for the right event — please enquire and we'll let you know if travel costs apply.

Question 13

How much space do you need at a venue?

Accepted Answer

As a guide, we recommend a minimum of 20–30 square metres for a standard setup, depending on the number of children. We'll always discuss the venue layout with you in advance and can adapt our setup to suit the space available. We're experienced in working in marquees, hotel function rooms, private homes, and outdoor spaces.

Question 14

How long does setup take?

Accepted Answer

We typically arrive 60–90 minutes before the childcare session begins to set up and prepare the space. Breakdown takes approximately 45–60 minutes after the session ends. We'll coordinate directly with your venue or event planner to ensure this fits smoothly into the day's schedule.

Question 15

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We understand that plans can change. Our standard cancellation policy is: cancellations made more than 8 weeks before the event receive a full refund of any deposit paid. Cancellations within 4–8 weeks forfeit 50% of the deposit. Cancellations within 4 weeks forfeit the full deposit. Full details are included in our booking agreement.

Question 16

How is pricing calculated?

Accepted Answer

Our pricing is based on the duration of the session, the number of children, and the number of practitioners required. We offer fixed packages as a starting point, but every booking is tailored — we'll always provide a bespoke quote based on your specific event details.

Question 17

Is a deposit required to secure a booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We require a deposit to secure your date, with the balance due 4 weeks before the event. The deposit amount will be confirmed in your booking agreement. We accept bank transfer and major credit/debit cards.

Question 18

Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?

Accepted Answer

Our quoted prices are inclusive of all staff, equipment, activities, and setup. Travel costs may apply for events outside our standard coverage area. Any optional add-ons (themed décor, extra practitioners, party bags, etc.) are priced separately and will be clearly itemised in your quote.

Question 19

Do you offer packages for multi-day events?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For destination weddings, multi-day festivals, or extended corporate events, we offer bespoke multi-day packages. Please enquire with your event details and we'll put together a tailored proposal.

Frequently asked questions

Safety & qualifications

Children & activities

Booking & logistics

Pricing & packages

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