ok, my company covers all types of entertainment - including children's parties.

Now I'm not going to spell it out, so to speak, but I will try and share a little experience to those who either work with, or, are thinking of working with kids.

1) Get your self referenced checked through the Police. It will cost you little, but weighed against reputation and finger pointing - it's good advice. It is not a 'get out of jail card' but will become a requirement by the Government in the future.

2) DON'T take any friends, roadies or guests to kids parties who you do not really know, and if you do - make them stay behind the gear.

3) Stay behind the gear. Unless your 'show' really requires you to join-in, stay out of it.

4) Watch what you say and how you say it. This simple little point, I feel, get's a lot of DJ's in the cr*p with guests and audience. Everybody is different and has a different approach, sense of humour and above all - different attitude.

I could go on, and on.

I teach DJ's (those who want to learn) how to do a basic 2 hour kids fun party. I do not charge for my time (which is precious!!!).

Any one who would wish to pick up more tips, questions or learn, can PM me as I cover the following areas:

Mobile Disco Essex, Mobile Disco Kent, Mobile Disco Suffolk, Mobile Disco Hertfordshire

Good Points. I worked a spell as a counsellor / entertainer at a UK Childrens Holiday centre several years back, so I know the routine better than most, and whilst it was valid I wore my I.D card when attending Childrens Parties / Schools after the season and back on the mobile.

Incidentally, the same also applies if you intend to take on any under 16 as a roadie / trainee etc with your show. Always arrange to meet and okay it with their parents first!

When I do Childrens parties, I instist that there is one adult for every five children up to the age of ten, then one adult for every ten children.

With Ref to the police check, i'm going to try it again, the last time, they told me not to bother, and my wife who is a class room assistant, and had to have it, it took over four months to come through.

I already have been checked by Police and Social Services so don't have any problems in that respect, and again its something else you can legitimately put on your advertising (assuming you have a bona fide check)

a police check is essential. I started doing a residencys in hotels and when they found out i didnt have one they flipped their lids. I now am fully police checked and it cost me nothing.

If ever youve done a school disco wheather it be primary secondary or middle the kids seem always to find a way to get to the space behind the equipment neone got netips on how to keep them (and their sweets and drinks) away.

Leeroy F

Keep The Beatz Goin'

A big stick normally works............. that or copious ammounts of Gaffa tape!

What is this with Gaffa Tape? I mean, what is it ?

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What is this with Gaffa Tape? I mean, what is it

I Looked it up in the D.J's handbook and it said:-

Gaffa Tape.....

(1) A fetish of the Spindoctors

(2) Heavy duty adhesive tape used by D.J's to tape wires down and hold their deck stands together. once removed it leaves very little adhesive residue and "shouldn't" remove wallpaper etc!!

With spins birthday on the horizon perhaps we should buy him a few reels?

Awww guys what can I say ................. thanx

Have you noticed ............ leaves very little residue........ means lifts varnish paint and carpets!!!!!! and is fine UNTIL it sticks to itself!!!!!!!!!!! Every DJ has tried to get it off leads once its stuck!

lol. i think that i used gaffa tape with one of my x's when she wanted to try something different. It marvellous stuff for all sorts of things. including sticking that broken window that you cracked with the bass responce.

With reference to the question of how to keep drinks off of equipment, I found a very useful way a while ago, which I still use at certain "troubled" venues.

I have a few light screens and speakers (If I ever work out how to post a picture from my harddrive, I'll show you all!) all with nice flat tops, just right for drink holders.

My idea was to use lengths of black guttering (the Semi circular lengths). I place these, round side up, on the tops of the screens and speakers, leaving people looking for somewhere else to balance their glasses, burning cigarettes, handbags, false teeth, bra's etc...

I find a nice polite notice saying "No Drinks, No ashtrays , No Arses" has the same effect on my pub gear. Or "All drinks will be removed (and drunk) by the D.J" for more formal gatherings

one word of advice - DONT

I'm lost on this one?? Don't....................... WHAT????

I think he's refering to the topic question 'working with with kids'-spin

I think he was trying to bring back the topic of descussion as it's gone of track abit!!

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a police check is essential.

What is this police check??

You can under certain circumstances obtain a Police check to prove you have no Gary Glitter tendencies in your background, normally (to the best of my knowledge) it has to be done by a company who employ you, hence the reference to holiday camps etc. EG. my wife is a registered childminder and as such i and any other adult in the house has to be 'police' checked!

So they come to you!!

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With Ref to the police check, i'm going to try it again, the last time, they told me not to bother,

This was mikee, so do you need to be checked, spin

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You can under certain circumstances obtain a Police check to prove you have no Gary Glitter tendencies in your background

Yes, these Circumstances are applicable if you are employed to look after or work with Children. Currently there is no law to say that Childrens Entertainers, Clowns, magicians, D.J's etc have to be checked out!. I would say that if you do disco's for Children on a regular basis then it is a good idea.

I must admit that my check was done by my Employer at the time. I would have no idea of how to go about paying for one as a Childrens' Entertainer for example.

Here are some examples of employment which by law, requires a police background check:-

Nursing staff with regular, unsupervised one-to-one contact with children or vulnerable adults (for example, some of those working on the ALSPAC project may fall into this category, as may some staff in such areas as Social Medicine, Primary Care, Centre for Reproductive Medicine)

· Some research staff with significant contact with children or vulnerable adults in, for example, Social Sciences.

· Swimming pool attendants.

Teachers, Nannies, Childminders, Youth Workers

· Volunteers and staff working on Summer Schools.

· Staff who will have significant involvement with animals.

· Staff who will be handling significant financial transactions.

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This was mikee, so do you need to be checked, spin

Simple answer is at this time 'no you don't need to checked' those who have been however use it as another useful qualification!

I also run a youth club in my spare time (Mrs Spin "WHAT 'spare' time)?? Frightening thing is I need help to run it, ANY adult can offer to help and no checks are required because they give their services voluntarily!!!!!

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Staff who will have significant involvement with animals.

-seen from jacka$$ or a regular seen from a country that Ann Robinson doesn't like!!!(yes you know where im talking about)

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I also run a youth club in my spare time

...And I thought that I was busy!. I'm now convinced that Spin doesn't sleep...in fact he's really a Pentium 1, 90mhz Computer with Artificial Intelligence hooked up to this forum to provide witty comments, Random Avators and Innuendo!.

Chris - remember 2001: A Space Oddyssey?
Perhaps Spin is really HAL !!!

Any more of that and you will be assimilated!!