Holiday Camps Frequently Asked Questions

At Play Mandarin, we maintain a 1:7 teacher-to-child ratio to ensure every child receives personalised attention, support, and care during class. This small group setting allows our teachers to build strong relationships with each student and adapt activities to suit different learning styles and needs.

We don’t offer free trials for our holiday camps, as they are short-term, high-demand programmes. However, you’re welcome to start by booking just one day or a half-day session to see how your child gets on (subject to availability). If you're new to Play Mandarin, we do offer a free one-hour trial in our regular weekly classes, which is a great way to experience our teaching style and environment. Rest assured, our experienced team is always there to support younger children—and many families return to our camps year after year!

We run exciting, themed holiday camps during every school break! Our six seasonal camps include: • February Half-Term Holiday Camp • April Easter Holiday Camp • May–June Half-Term Holiday Camp • July–August Summer Holiday Camp • October Half-Term Camp • December Christmas Camp (depends on the dates) Each camp offers a fun, immersive Mandarin environment filled with creative learning, cultural activities, and hands-on projects—perfect for keeping children engaged during the holidays. 👉 Upcoming camp details and booking info are available on our website.

Not at all! No prior Mandarin experience is required to join our classes or camps. At Play Mandarin, we create a fully immersive Mandarin environment where children learn naturally—just like learning their first language. All instructions and activities are delivered in Mandarin first, with English used only when needed for clarification. Our teachers use body language, visual cues, and repetition to support beginners, helping children build confidence and understanding from day one.

Our holiday camps are designed as week-long programmes, but you’re welcome to book single days based on your schedule and availability. • Full day: £65 per day • Half day: £38 per day (Prices subject to change) This flexible option is great for families trying out camp for the first time or those with changing schedules.

No, children should bring their own nut-free packed lunch, snacks, and a water bottle to all classes and camps. Occasionally, we may offer a small treat—such as plain popcorn or simple, allergy-safe fruit—as part of a themed activity. However, this is rare and parents will always be informed in advance if food or ingredients will be provided. We are mindful of allergies and dietary needs and will never offer food without notifying families first.

Yes! We offer several discounts to help families save: 🎓 Member-Only Discounts Play Mandarin members enjoy exclusive benefits on holiday camps and workshops: 5% off for Pick Your 4 members 8% off for Unlimited members 10% off for VIP Unlimited members 📅 Multi-Booking Discount Book a full week (5 days) and receive £10 off per week 💡 All discounts are subject to change and availability. For the latest and most accurate information, please refer to our official pricing page: 👉 www.playmandarin.co.uk/plansandpricing(www.playmandarin.co.uk/plansandpricing)

Our classes are capped at a maximum of 24 children, but you can rest assured that class quality and individual attention are always maintained. We follow a strict teacher-to-child ratio of 1:8 or better. In fact, most of our classes operate with a ratio closer to 1:5 or 1:6, ensuring that every child gets personalised support. When group size approaches the upper limit: • Children are divided by age and level into smaller groups • Each group receives age-appropriate materials and differentiated activities • Activities are conducted both indoors and outdoors, with children rotating between stations or tasks • Your child will not be sitting in a large mixed group all day Our structured environment, experienced teachers, and spacious venues—including outdoor space—ensure every child learns, plays, and participates in a safe and engaging way.

Absolutely! We warmly welcome all children, including international students, who are interested in learning Mandarin. Whether your child is visiting the UK or staying short-term, they are welcome to join our fun, immersive classes and holiday camps at Play Mandarin. No prior Mandarin experience is required—just curiosity and a love for learning!

At Play Mandarin, your child’s safety is our top priority. We’ve implemented a range of comprehensive measures to ensure a secure, child-friendly, and professionally managed environment at all times. Here are the key safety practices we follow: 🏫 Secure Premises All venues are equipped with CCTV, secure entry points, and controlled access—only authorised staff are allowed in designated areas. Children are supervised at all times, including during toilet breaks and transitions between activities. 🧑‍🏫 Trained & Certified Staff All staff and teachers undergo enhanced DBS background checks. Every team member completes regular first aid training, safeguarding training, and holds a valid Safeguarding Certificate registered with the UK government. Staff are trained in emergency response and know how to follow our internal safety procedures with care and confidence. ✅ Risk Assessment & Procedures We carry out thorough risk assessments for all venues, activities, and off-site outings. In the event of any incidents or lost property, our team follows strict reporting and safeguarding procedures. For outdoor activities or school trips, children wear hi-vis safety vests, and we adjust the teacher-to-child ratio to ensure enhanced supervision. 🧼 Health & Hygiene Classrooms and common areas are cleaned and sanitised regularly. We follow health guidelines and monitor student well-being closely. Our school is nut-free to protect children with allergies. 🪑 Child-Safe Learning Environment All spaces are equipped with age-appropriate furniture, safe learning tools, and hazard-free layouts. Equipment and materials are inspected and maintained regularly. 📣 Clear Communication with Parents We keep parents informed through regular updates and are always reachable by email. Safety-related information is communicated clearly and promptly. If you have any specific questions about our policies or procedures, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to walk you through our safety standards in more detail.

Absolutely! We incorporate outdoor time into our programmes whenever possible, especially during our holiday camps. Children participate in fun, structured language-based activities in outdoor areas—always under close teacher supervision. Outdoor time may include: • Mandarin-led group games • Nature walks and scavenger hunts • Outdoor storytelling or craft sessions • Cultural activities with movement and interaction Our staff remain with the children at all times during outdoor sessions, ensuring safety while keeping the experience fun and engaging. 🗓️ You can view a sample holiday camp schedule, including outdoor time slots, here: 👉 www.playmandarin.co.uk/holidaycamp(https://www.playmandarin.co.uk/holidaycamps)s

You can find our full Membership Terms and Conditions here.(https://www.playmandarin.co.uk/membership-agreement) They include important information about membership, class bookings, cancellations, upgrades, holiday camps, safety policies, and more. We recommend reviewing them before signing up to ensure you’re familiar with how our programmes work.