Stay and Play

Who is the project for?

Any family in the local area with a child or young person with a disability and/or additional needs.

When does the project run?

We run 2 to 3 Stay and Play days every 3 months on Saturdays and School Holidays. Families can attend any time between 10:00am - 3:30pm.

What happens on a Stay and Play Day?

Families come to ELHAP any time between 10:00am and 3:30pm for adventure play. Adventure play is all about giving children the freedom to play in their own way and in their own time - sometimes this means getting messy or taking safe enough risks (this might be trying something new, climbing up the treehouse, trying messy play etc). There are always ELHAP playworkers there to help and provide lots of adventure play opportunities.

What do families need to bring?

Families need to consider bringing:

• Clothes for playing and getting messy in

• Spare clothes

• Weather appropriate clothes (for hot, wet or cold days)

• Packed lunches

• Drinks (water is available for everyone)

• Communication technology (i.e. PECS etc) if required

• Medication, if required (please always tell ELHAP staff about any medication so we can store it safely for you)

How much does it cost?

We charge £20 per day for the whole family (we can offer a discount to families experiencing significant financial difficulties – please contact us for further details).

How can families attend?

Anyone interested in attending ELHAP's Stay and Play scheme can register (see below). Then once registered, ELHAP will send you an online booking form every 3 months. 

Rules for Stay and Play Project

Please note the following rules for this project:

1) Only parents (birth and foster parents) and grandparents can use this scheme - we cannot accept paid carers, friends etc to attend with your child.

2) This scheme is for children and young people aged between 5 years and 19 years of age (children under 5 can attend but this must be at parent’s discretion – some younger children can cope with playing near older young people and ELHAP’s environment but others may struggle. Please carefully consider whether ELHAP is safe for your younger children).

3) Siblings may attend along with ELHAP children as long as parent/carers can take full responsibility for all children visiting.

4) You need to register before using the Stay and Play Scheme. (This is a separate register to our usual playground bookings)

5) Always book your visit to ELHAP before arriving, and make sure you receive confirmation from us of your requested date and time.

6) Make sure you bring packed lunches if you are staying for a whole day (please do not bring any nuts or items with nuts in them).

7) Please inform the staff at entry if you are bringing any medication on site including any epilepsy emergency medication, epipens etc.

8) Be ready to share ELHAP with other families including children and young people with challenging behaviours. Please remember to treat everyone with sensitivity, respect and understanding.

9) 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.

10) Please do not use screens (i.e. tablets, phones etc) at ELHAP.  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.

How to join the Stay and Play Scheme

Please complete our online registration form: