RULES FOR FAMILIES VISITING ELHAP

1) ELHAP is first and foremost an adventure playground - ELHAP is very child centred and so often means it can be messy, muddy and even dirty in the day (we clean up every day but it will get messy very quickly).

Please remember that we are not a nursery or a school - as an adventure playground, we thrive on mess, let children paint everything, jump in muddy puddles etc. We are unstructured and focus on free play because we believe all children need to play in their own way and in their own time.

2) Whilst we take every effort to manage risks and hazards, this is a woodland environment, so please be aware that there will be uneven grounds and it can get muddy at times.

3) Parents must supervise and be responsible for their own children at all times. We do not allow carers - children must attend with a parent (if you do need a carer to come with you for extra support, please contact ELHAP to discuss this before buying a ticket).

4) Lots of our activities will be outside, so make sure you all have weather appropriate clothing and footwear for getting messy and muddy. Family events will generally go ahead rain or shine, so please make sure you and your children wear appropriate clothing and footwear (occasionally we may need to close in very high winds, storms and blizzards but we will always endeavour to forewarn families before closing).

5) At ELHAP, we operate a zero tolerance policy regarding abusive behaviours including aggressive, violent, discriminatory and derogatory behaviours as well as swearing, threats of violence, racist, sexist, homophobic and verbally abusive language towards staff, visitors and family members. Anyone displaying these behaviours or language will be asked to leave ELHAP immediately

Please note that ELHAP recognises that disabled children and young people’s behaviours of concern are a form of communication and not intentional. In contrast, children, young people and adults that are non-disabled have the cognitive and communicative capacity to express themselves in ways that are not physically or verbally abusive and have the choice and options to express themselves in other non-harmful ways.

6) ELHAP is a nut free zone because we support a number of children and young people with severe and life threatening nut allergies. Please do not bring food in that contains nuts - this includes all types of nuts, peanut butter, Nutella, cereal/chocolate bars that contain nuts.

7) Do not take photos of any other children or share any images of children (other than your own children) on social media at any time.

8) Please do not use screens (i.e. tablets, phones etc) at ELHAP except for children's communication aids/devices. We aim for ELHAP to be a screen-free environment so children are not distracted by them. Please note parents cannot use laptops at ELHAP at any time.

9) We will not tolerate bullying and harassment, including negative or devaluing behaviour towards another person, of any kind at ELHAP. We are committed to ensuring ELHAP is safe space for all our children and families. Children with disabilities are especially vulnerable to bullying and harassment and so need extra protection, vigilance and support to combat this.

10) Keeping children safe is of paramount importance to ELHAP. We will always refer serious concerns onto the appropriate social work teams. Please remember that ELHAP has duty to share concerns – we will always try to be transparent and sensitive about this, where possible.

11) A number of the ELHAP staff are trained first aiders (adult first aid and children's first aid). If you or your children ever have an accident at ELHAP, however small or minor, please always tell the ELHAP staff so we can offer first aid and make a record of the accident. 

12) There is no parking onsite at ELHAP but you can park on Roding Lane North (please make sure you don't park on the pavement at all because traffic wardens will fine you). 

13) You can bring children younger than 5 years of age but please be aware that we support children and young people aged 6 - 19 years of age with a range of needs, including young people with behaviours that can challenge. Please carefully consider whether younger children will be able to cope with the ELHAP environment.

14) Please always be respectful, considerate and sensitive to other families and to ELHAP staff. Sometimes young people may be struggling to cope with particular situations and need our support and understanding. If you have any concerns, worries or queries, please always talk to an ELHAP staff member.

15) We are a non-smoking site (including e-cigarettes and vapes).

16) We do not allow alcohol on site at any time.

17) When there is a hot drinks van, parked in the driveway selling tea, coffee and hot chocolate,  please make sure you supervise your children at all times around hot drinks.

18) If you have visited ELHAP before, please remember that family and public days can be alot busier, louder and crowded than other days.