Little Dahlings Theatre School
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
By registering a child for weekly classes with Little Dahlings Theatre School (“Little Dahlings”), the parent or guardian agrees to the following Terms & Conditions.
1. Registration and Places
Registration secures your child’s place in their chosen weekly class, subject to availability.
Places are allocated to individual children and cannot be transferred to another child.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that all information provided during registration is accurate and for informing Little Dahlings of any changes to contact details, medical information or other relevant circumstances.
2. Fees and Payment
Class fees are payable monthly in advance and must be paid at the beginning of each month in accordance with the payment arrangements provided by Little Dahlings.
Payment secures your child’s place in their weekly class for that month.
Fees remain payable regardless of individual absences, including illness, holidays or other personal commitments. Refunds or credits will not normally be given for classes missed by the pupil.
If Little Dahlings has to cancel a class and cannot provide a suitable replacement or alternative session, appropriate arrangements will be made regarding the affected class fee.
Little Dahlings reserves the right to review class fees. Parents/guardians will be given reasonable notice of any changes.
3. Cancelling Your Child's Place
One calendar month's written notice is required if you wish to terminate your child's place in weekly classes.
Notice should be given to Little Dahlings in writing by email.
Fees remain payable throughout the notice period, regardless of whether your child attends during this time.
4. Attendance
Regular attendance is encouraged to help children get the most from their classes and to support the progress of the whole group.
Please let us know where possible if your child will be unable to attend.
Where classes are preparing for a performance, additional rehearsals may be required and attendance expectations will be communicated separately.
5. Behaviour
Little Dahlings aims to provide a safe, positive, inclusive and enjoyable environment for every child.
Children are expected to treat other pupils, staff, volunteers and venue facilities with respect.
If a child's behaviour repeatedly causes significant disruption or creates a safety concern, we will discuss this with their parent/guardian and work together to resolve the situation.
In serious or persistent circumstances, Little Dahlings reserves the right to withdraw a child's place. Wherever reasonably possible, this would only happen after discussion with the parent/guardian.
6. Medical Information and Additional Needs
Parents/guardians must inform Little Dahlings of any medical conditions, allergies, injuries, additional needs or other information that may affect their child's participation or wellbeing.
We ask that this information is kept up to date so that we can support your child appropriately.
Parents should speak to us before registering if their child requires a level of individual support that may affect their ability to participate safely in a group class. We will always discuss what reasonable support we are able to provide within our staffing and class arrangements.
7. First Aid and Emergencies
Little Dahlings staff will take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children while they are in our care.
Where necessary, appropriately trained staff may administer basic first aid.
In the event of an emergency, we will attempt to contact the child's parent/guardian or emergency contact. Where urgent medical assistance is required, we may contact the emergency services without waiting for parental contact.
8. Drop-Off and Collection
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that children arrive safely and are collected promptly at the end of their class.
Please inform us if someone different will be collecting your child.
Children will not normally be permitted to leave a class independently unless this has been agreed in advance with their parent/guardian and Little Dahlings.
9. Photography and Filming
Little Dahlings may occasionally take photographs or videos during classes, rehearsals and performances for promotional purposes, including our website and social media.
Permission for photography and filming will be requested separately during registration.
Choosing not to give photographic consent will not affect your child's ability to participate in our regular classes.
For performances or events involving external venues or organisations, any additional photography or filming arrangements will be communicated separately where necessary.
10. Performances
As a theatre school, we aim to provide children with opportunities to perform wherever possible.
Participation in a weekly class does not automatically guarantee a particular role, solo, performance opportunity or amount of stage time.
Casting and performance decisions will be made by the Little Dahlings creative team based on factors including the requirements of the production, age, suitability, attendance and the needs of the group.
Details of individual productions, including rehearsals, performance dates, costumes and any additional fees, will be communicated separately.
11. Changes to Classes
Occasionally, circumstances may require us to change a class teacher, venue, room, timetable or other arrangements.
We will endeavour to give parents as much notice as reasonably possible.
In exceptional circumstances, including circumstances outside our reasonable control, classes may need to be cancelled, postponed or relocated.
12. Personal Belongings
Children should avoid bringing valuable items to classes.
Little Dahlings cannot accept responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings except where responsibility cannot legally be excluded.
13. Safeguarding
The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is extremely important to us.
Little Dahlings operates appropriate safeguarding procedures and expects all staff, volunteers, children and families to contribute to maintaining a safe and respectful environment.
Any safeguarding concerns should be raised with Little Dahlings as soon as possible.
14. Data Protection and Privacy
Personal information supplied during registration will be used for the administration and safe delivery of Little Dahlings classes and activities.
Information will be handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and our Privacy Notice.
Parents/guardians are responsible for informing us when information provided at registration changes.
15. Communication
Important information regarding classes, rehearsals, performances and changes to arrangements will normally be communicated using the contact details provided at registration.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that Little Dahlings has their current contact details and for checking communications relating to their child's class.
16. Acceptance of Terms
By registering a child with Little Dahlings Theatre School, the parent/guardian confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
These Terms & Conditions may occasionally be updated. Where a significant change affects existing pupils, parents/guardians will be informed.