Crazy Camps at John Lyon Prep School

This is holiday childcare rather than a day nursery. Crazy Camps at John Lyon Prep School operates from Quainton Hall School, 91 Hindes Road, Harrow, and has capacity for 60 children. At its April 2024 inspection, the camp served children aged four to 12 and met the requirements for early years provision.

The strongest impression is of an active, orderly camp. Most activities took place outside, while children understood the day's routine well enough to explain what came next and remind one another of the rules.

Games and movement shaped much of the inspected day. Younger children played tag, listened closely and followed the rules, while children also suggested songs to accompany games. This gave them genuine choices inside a planned programme rather than leaving the day unstructured.

The camp follows the Early Years Foundation Stage for children within its early-years provision. This means learning and development are supported through play, conversation and activities shaped around each child's needs and interests. In April 2024, physical exercise was built into a largely outdoor day.

Relationships were a clear strength at the April 2024 visit. Staff prepared for each child before attendance, learning enough from families to tailor care and activities to individual circumstances. Children who were new to the camp could be paired with buddies, a simple way to make an unfamiliar holiday setting feel more manageable.

Routines carried much of the safeguarding work. Children discussed safety, recalled the fire procedure during morning briefing and followed secure arrival arrangements. Ofsted found safeguarding arrangements effective. Staff also encouraged handwashing, water breaks and conversation about healthy snacks brought by children.

The published school-holiday day ran from 8am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday. The address is Quainton Hall School, 91 Hindes Road, Harrow HA1 1RX.

The inspection recorded five staff at the time, including one with qualified teacher status and one with a level 3 qualification. Staffing was reviewed each day against the number and needs of children. Families should seek a current quotation directly from the provider.

• Holiday dates. The published pattern is weekday holiday care. Ask for the present calendar before planning cover.
• Age range. Children at the April 2024 inspection were aged four to 12. Confirm the ages accepted for the holiday period you need.
• Food arrangements. The inspection describes children bringing snacks and taking water breaks. Ask what children should bring for a full day and how dietary or medical needs are handled.

Crazy Camps is best suited to families seeking structured school-holiday care with a strong outdoor emphasis, not year-round nursery provision. The inspected mix of active games, predictable routines, child choice and buddy support should appeal to families whose children enjoy group activity but may still value a clear shape to the day. The key practical step is to check current holiday dates, accepted ages and booking options directly.