Terms & Conditions
We have updated our terms and conditions. Please read these carefully before accepting.
Fees
Four sessions are paid upfront with the payment of £60 and are non-refundable. In the rare circumstance that the instructor needs to cancel a session, you will be refunded the amount of one session.
Weather Warnings
In the event of a Yellow weather warning, our sessions will go ahead. In the event of an Amber or Red weather warning issued by the Met Office / local authority, the session will be cancelled and you will be offered a full refund.
Damages
We supply all children with a laptop and additional coding equipment including a micro:bit and robotics kit for the duration of the session. The parent/guardian is responsible for any damage caused by the child and shall be liable to pay the full cost of repair and/or replacement of any equipment.
Group Supervision
All sessions are led by a qualified primary school teacher who holds a current PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) Scheme membership/disclosure. We maintain a 1:8 ratio to ensure all children can be supervised safely. There is usually one other adult (a volunteer from St Marys for All) present however this cannot be guaranteed at each session.
Parental Supervision
All parents/guardians are invited to remain on the premises in the cafe to supervise their child. If you choose to remain, please note that you are asked to only take photos of your own child and not the rest of the group.
Children with Additional Support Needs
Bitsi is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all children, including those with Additional Support Needs (ASN). We recommend that a parent or guardian remains on site during your child’s first session to help them settle in. If your child may require any additional support to participate fully, please contact us before their first session so we can discuss and plan how best to support them. If a child requires one-to-one support beyond what staff can safely provide, or if specific medical or behavioural needs are present, we may request that a parent/guardian remains in the session to provide support.
Pick Up/Drop Off
We suggest that parents arrive on the premises five minutes before the end of the session to view their child's creations. Sessions will finish promptly to ensure the next group can begin on time. If your child is making their own way to/from the sessions, please let us know (preferably by email) for our records.
Snacks and drinks
Children are asked not to consume food or drink during class.
Health and Safety
The session is set up as safely as possible. However, as there are wires and cables being used, we ask that children remain in their seats to avoid any tripping hazards unless it is necessary for the task to share their work or work with a partner in which case they will be asked to walk slowly and carefully.
In the unlikely event of an accident or health concern, the child's emergency contact will be contacted as a matter of urgency.
GDPR
We have a GDPR policy available on request which we adhere to at all times.
Timekeeping
All sessions are one hour in duration. If you wish to discuss your child's progress, please contact us to arrange this at a separate time.
Toilets
There are three toilets on the premises. Children will be asked to tell the instructor when they are going to the toilet and notify them on their return.
Behaviour and Participation
All children are expected to behave respectfully towards others and follow instructions from staff during sessions. Bitsi reserves the right to request that a child does not return if their behaviour compromises the safety, wellbeing, or learning of others. This will always be discussed with the parent/guardian. In this circumstance, a full refund for the remaining sessions would be issued. If a child is behaving in a way that is unsafe or causes themselves or other participants at the club distress, their parent will be called to collect them as a matter of urgency. Children are also asked to only use kind language whilst using Minecraft and to not damage another player's builds.
Safeguarding Policy
Bitsi is committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children in our care are protected from abuse, harm and radicalisation. Bitsi will respond promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns regarding the safety of a child that may occur. Bitsi’s child protection procedures comply with all relevant legislation.
There is a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) available at all times while the club is in session either in person or by phonecall. The DSL coordinates safeguarding and child protection issues and liaises with external agencies (eg Social Services).
Bitsi’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Jasmine Chand.
Other staff
There will always be at least one member of Bitsi staff present during sessions (Jasmine Chand). An Assistant Instructor will also normally be in attendance. In the event that the Assistant Instructor is unavailable, sessions will proceed with one member of staff in accordance with our Lone Working Policy.
A volunteer from St Mary’s for All is usually present on site, and other groups operate within the building during session times. Parents/guardians are welcome to remain on the premises for the duration of the session.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge.
Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online.
Preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health and development.
Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Use of mobile phones and cameras
Photographs will only be taken of children with their parents’ permission. Bitsi does not share photos of children's faces on social media but may issue photos or videos of their work and photos where the children are not identifiable.
Use of laptops
All laptops have been set up in a manner to promote safe and responsible use. Strict search filters have been applied and children will be reminded to only use the relevant websites/coding platforms which we are using in the session.
Illness and Medication
Please inform us of any relevant medical conditions or allergies prior to the first session. Bitsi staff are not authorised to administer medication. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for missed sessions due to illness.
Cancellations and Missed Sessions
If your child cannot attend a session, please let us know as soon as possible. Sessions missed due to illness, holidays, or other reasons cannot be refunded or rescheduled. In exceptional circumstances, Bitsi may offer credit at its discretion.
Pay-As-You-Go Sessions
If you are unable to commit to a full block of sessions, and if space allows, you may book on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The cost per session is £15, payable on the day (cash or card) or in advance via bank transfer.
Pay-as-you-go places are only available if the session is not fully booked and there is no waiting list.
Please contact us in advance to check availability for individual sessions.
- We cannot guarantee ongoing availability for pay-as-you-go bookings, and priority will be given to children who have been enrolled with Bitsi in the past