Full Version: Kid's Parties
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I was talking to social worker about the complications when dealing with children,and apparently they have to be very careful when coming into physical contact with the kids. This being the world we now live in obviously causes concern when we do children's parties, so are there strict procedures we must follow in certain circumstances and things we can and can't do. I presume most of it is common sense but because of various allegations that can soon be made out of something so innocent you have to be so careful. Has anyone got any experiences which they can share, so hopefully we can learn for future reference. The reason I ask is I bought a badge making kit so next time I do a kids party I was going to give each child a badge with their name on. But unfortunately it's a big no no, due to the fact that if the child was to wonder off and get approached by a stranger then they would know the child's name. So I'm going to use characters instead and let the child decide who they want to be.
The only experience i hav had with children and covering our backs to stop allergations was when i was teaching brass to young kids at a local music centre. i was told i wasnt allowed to close the doors to the teaching rooms if i was teaching girls. i found this very strange but thats what you sadly have to do in this day and age....
the funniest thing i have had to deal with though is the way we teach music to kids and the old saying Every, Good, Boy, Deserves, Football has to be changed to Every Green Buss Drives Fast in order to be politically correct and not sexiest in anyway
kids hey?
the funniest thing i have had to deal with though is the way we teach music to kids and the old saying Every, Good, Boy, Deserves, Football has to be changed to Every Green Buss Drives Fast in order to be politically correct and not sexiest in anyway
kids hey?
Agreed. This topic has been mentioned several times over the past few years, but its always a good idea to keep it within reading reach of new members. Like you say, most of it is simply common sense, but even the simplest of actions can be misconstrued and if you ever work around children in any capacity, you have to watch your behaviour.
Nowadays, any physical contact with a child by a stranger is a big no no. Even an affectionate hand on the shoulder or ruffling their hair, is no longer appropriate. I often chuckle at Karen mentioning her encounters with Children that she has entertained in the past, when they have recognised her in the street. If a child rushed up to me, in the supermarket and gave me a hug, no doubt I would be quickly arrested and questioned - as would any male D.J. However, for any female entertainer, I doubt anybody would think anything of it.
If you choose to participate in any entertainment which involves children then you do have to be very careful that any games that you do are completely harmless and safe, and that you never allow yourself to make any physical contact with any child. Often if younger children are hurt, sick or upset they will seek comfort from the nearest adult regardless of who they are!, However, the best thing to do, in this situation is to inform the nearest Parent / Teacher etc and let them deal with it. Unless its an actual life threatening emergency, don't just produce you own first aid kit and start bandaging them!.
Above all, don't put yourself in any situation which could be deemed unacceptable or questionable, however innocent your motive.
If you do Primary Schools etc, its always helpful if you finish, by getting the kids to sit quietly on the floor awaiting their parents to pick them up. Rather than having them rushing in and out of the building, which can also be quite risky.
Nowadays, any physical contact with a child by a stranger is a big no no. Even an affectionate hand on the shoulder or ruffling their hair, is no longer appropriate. I often chuckle at Karen mentioning her encounters with Children that she has entertained in the past, when they have recognised her in the street. If a child rushed up to me, in the supermarket and gave me a hug, no doubt I would be quickly arrested and questioned - as would any male D.J. However, for any female entertainer, I doubt anybody would think anything of it.
If you choose to participate in any entertainment which involves children then you do have to be very careful that any games that you do are completely harmless and safe, and that you never allow yourself to make any physical contact with any child. Often if younger children are hurt, sick or upset they will seek comfort from the nearest adult regardless of who they are!, However, the best thing to do, in this situation is to inform the nearest Parent / Teacher etc and let them deal with it. Unless its an actual life threatening emergency, don't just produce you own first aid kit and start bandaging them!.
Above all, don't put yourself in any situation which could be deemed unacceptable or questionable, however innocent your motive.
If you do Primary Schools etc, its always helpful if you finish, by getting the kids to sit quietly on the floor awaiting their parents to pick them up. Rather than having them rushing in and out of the building, which can also be quite risky.
| QUOTE |
| The only experience i hav had with children and covering our backs to stop allergations was when i was teaching brass to young kids at a local music centre. |
Again, a good reason never to allow yourself to be in a situation where you are alone with a child. These allegations will never arise if you have been in full view of the teachers all night and never moved from behind your decks.
Dont panic! Common sense should prevail here! With kids parties it is perfectly acceptable to give the kids name badges...... if a stranger walked into the venue and struck up a conversation with one of them, it certainly wouldnt be your fault would it! You are the entertainer - as much as you let everyone know the rules at the beginning - the parent should be the one keeping an eye on things from a security point of view.
Any school who let kids walk out from the disco without their parents needs seeing to! I have always insisted that the parents come in to collect their child - and given the fact that there will always be teachers and parents at the disco, they will know who is picking up who etc.
I find certain the advice of certain social workers laughable! Whilst they are busy thinking up what is or is not acceptable, hundreds of kids are getting abused or neglected.
Use common sense... badges are fine. You will be watched by an attending parent (or if you arent I suggest you dont do the job) - lets give some people a little bit of credit here.
Any school who let kids walk out from the disco without their parents needs seeing to! I have always insisted that the parents come in to collect their child - and given the fact that there will always be teachers and parents at the disco, they will know who is picking up who etc.
I find certain the advice of certain social workers laughable! Whilst they are busy thinking up what is or is not acceptable, hundreds of kids are getting abused or neglected.
Use common sense... badges are fine. You will be watched by an attending parent (or if you arent I suggest you dont do the job) - lets give some people a little bit of credit here.
I agree with Kazz here and I think between us we do more kids parties than most, name badges are fine, as she quite correctly stated you are in an enclosed environment hall/house/club etc so strangers are not a problem.
I also reinforce the not talking to strangers theme but as I am here at mum's invite i am not a stranger during the party (This helps to stop nearly all the supermarket encounters but you'd be suprised not all)!!
Provided everything you do is above board and in front of parents/helpers there should never be a problem, even teaching dance steps etc. this is where showing them and getting them to copy you is so important.
Remember the first rule 1) ALWAYS look after number 1.......... YOU!
Think think and think again if it can be misconstrued DON'T DO IT.
Just my 4d worth
Spin
I also reinforce the not talking to strangers theme but as I am here at mum's invite i am not a stranger during the party (This helps to stop nearly all the supermarket encounters but you'd be suprised not all)!!
Provided everything you do is above board and in front of parents/helpers there should never be a problem, even teaching dance steps etc. this is where showing them and getting them to copy you is so important.
Remember the first rule 1) ALWAYS look after number 1.......... YOU!
Think think and think again if it can be misconstrued DON'T DO IT.
Just my 4d worth
Spin
Again i agree with Kazz on this as with most things in life common sence will always win and as said before you are the entertainer
Im a speacialist when it comes to kids discos and as above touching of the kids is a definate no no even if its your next door neighbours kid. Also you must watch those didgy tracks so if you use a premix cd with oops up side your head the dodgy line - jack and jill went up the hill to have a little **** can creep up on you (kill switched are very useful here). Also i am fully Police Checked/Disclosed and i carry a copy with me to every event I am booked for just im case that odd parent or family member says how do we know your who you say you are etc. Just try to be carefull and kazz is right comonsence always helps.
Hope this helps
Leeroy Fairhurst
Hope this helps
Leeroy Fairhurst
I think that a police check is a good idea, but beyond the scope of most people who do the very occasional school disco. I had to undergo one when I worked at PGL and so do most people who have any form of working contact around kids or youth groups. I believe spin and several others here are also police checked, but due to their occupation or voluntary activities - rather than solely for the disco.
Also, I think after the Ian Huntley fiasco in the press, a lot of people are losing faith in the effectiveness of these checks.
Also, I think after the Ian Huntley fiasco in the press, a lot of people are losing faith in the effectiveness of these checks.
Spot on crispy... If a person who is police checked is supposedly ok to work with children, then Ian Huntley has done nothing for this "credential".
Police check costs a tenner and takes about a month to come through. I have mind but never had to use it or been asked for it
Fortunately working with children mine costs me nothing (not even tax deductible) but I have never been asked for it, however it does get done every 12 months wether I request it or not.
Just my 4d worth
Spin
Just my 4d worth
Spin
We only provide disco for kids parties, they pay the same as anyone else, and we do not organise games etc, we are happy to put the music up or down for musical chairs etc, but we specify that there must be sufficient adults present to supervise and organise the party.
fortunatley we rarely get kids parties which suits us, they are too mich troble. my mate does disco and clown for kids parties so I pass any enquiries to him.
fortunatley we rarely get kids parties which suits us, they are too mich troble. my mate does disco and clown for kids parties so I pass any enquiries to him.
CKs... without wishing to seem harsh here, its probably better for you to turn down every kids party if you only do music..... Bad reputations get around even quicker than good, and kids parties are usually the event of the year for the particular kid in question.
Kids parties are highly specialised and if you cant do them/dont want to do them, then I would seriously not take ANY kids party bookings in the first place. Music alone will not suffice for a kids party. I suppose it depends on how much you value your own reputation..... but parent are the first to moan about how "rubbish" the disco was even if they have been made aware that you dont actually do kids parties or games or entertaining etc etc etc. Whats a few quid worth over your reputation?
Kids parties are highly specialised and if you cant do them/dont want to do them, then I would seriously not take ANY kids party bookings in the first place. Music alone will not suffice for a kids party. I suppose it depends on how much you value your own reputation..... but parent are the first to moan about how "rubbish" the disco was even if they have been made aware that you dont actually do kids parties or games or entertaining etc etc etc. Whats a few quid worth over your reputation?
Kaz,
Think you missed the point, I did say that we avoid the kids parties and fortunatley dont get many enquiries for them, we are happy to stick with our wedding, corporate and family events, little kids parties are too hectic, once they get to 14+ they seem to want a proper disco and they are content with music lights and smoke and would not be seen dead playing musical chairs so those are fine.
So as I said we avoid them, make it plain what we charge and our approach, then pass em on to my mate who does the clown and baloons bit if the enquirer wants a hassle free party, I thought most people go to whacky warehouse or Mac D`s these days anyway.
We did a kids disco at Christmas, they all enjoyed themselves and the organisers were happy to run the show, they really only needed a pa and the music, for three hours on a Sunday afternoon. And we got two bookings from it too.
I do agree with your point on reputation, however as the majority of our bookings are now recommendations and repeats I we cant be doing that much wroong.
Think you missed the point, I did say that we avoid the kids parties and fortunatley dont get many enquiries for them, we are happy to stick with our wedding, corporate and family events, little kids parties are too hectic, once they get to 14+ they seem to want a proper disco and they are content with music lights and smoke and would not be seen dead playing musical chairs so those are fine.
So as I said we avoid them, make it plain what we charge and our approach, then pass em on to my mate who does the clown and baloons bit if the enquirer wants a hassle free party, I thought most people go to whacky warehouse or Mac D`s these days anyway.
We did a kids disco at Christmas, they all enjoyed themselves and the organisers were happy to run the show, they really only needed a pa and the music, for three hours on a Sunday afternoon. And we got two bookings from it too.
I do agree with your point on reputation, however as the majority of our bookings are now recommendations and repeats I we cant be doing that much wroong.
| QUOTE |
| once they get to 14+ they seem to want a proper disco and they are content with music lights and smoke and would not be seen dead playing musical chairs so those are fine. |
Often when they get to 14 they also develop an attitude - that in my day would warrant a clip 'round the ear. However these days they can run rings around the adults and are under the impression that they can cheek and get away with as much as they like (Though not on THIS forum!
).I must admit that I hiked my prices up for the Kids disco's, because (1) I hate doing them and (2) The amount of trouble they cause and mithering they do isn't worth working for £40 or £50. Music trends for Teens change so frequently that if you haven't got kids of your own, or you are the wrong side of 20, then it is difficult to keep up. Besides D.J's of 30+ - for the teenagers is considered un-kewl - so sadly fitting this criteria - at least as far as this age group is concerned then I'm past it!
.However, I do seem to still have a small circle of faithful High Schools - who seem to be under the impression that I actually Enjoy doing these gigs and annoyingly they are going to book, whatever I charge
- can't these people take a hint!, so I do have to suffer occasionally come half term (Isn't the next one getting alarmingly close!) although nowhere near as much as I did 10 years ago 
.I agree that the older age group aren't going to go for kids games, although there are creative things that you can do to keep their attention and stop them from kicking seven shades of
out of each other or flooding the toilets!.Teen "Blind Date" is good, especially around Valentines day. There is nothing more embarrassing than an aging 30+ D.J
taking the Pi$$ and trying to hook you up live "on mic" with the girl you've fancied and foolishly confided in your mates about. Yes, subtlety and integrity seem to escape the 13 - 16 age group and its amazing how quickly they'll "volunteer" their friends to take part!.Evil
aren't I!.Younger age groups do need that extra effort to provide games and keep their attention. Since the average attention span of a 7 year old is around 15.2 seconds you have eyes in the back of your head - and plenty of games in reserve to divert from the usual Jelly Throwing and projectile vomiting that usually follows the food break. Yes i've been mobbed, kicked, bitten and puked over by a bunch of over-enthusiastic kids more than once - but i'm past that - and so nowadays Kazz is welcome to it!. On the odd occasion when I cover the Primary School gig that comes along, then I make sure that I get paid properly for it - then if I have turned down a Wedding, or family function for the same night - I'm not out of pocket, nor do I feel cheated.
Kids of this age group are also amazingly honest and frank and are not capable of pretending to enjoy themselves, so if they tell you that your boring - then you really should stick to entertaining the adults
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Sorry CK... but the first line of your post reads "we only provide disco for kids parties, they pay the same as everyone else" etc etc.....! Dont think I missed the point... think your post was a little badly worded!! Please dont take offence!
Kaz, why so sharp?
Are all these kids parties getting to you? Not everyone is as elequent as you, I thought I was among friends here......
All I am trying to say here is that we avoid kids parties as we dont particularly like doing them, they expect you to do them for peanuts and they are a pain in the neck to do.
So we quote the same as we would for anything else, and explain our approach if this doesnt suit the enquirer then they are free to look elsewhere, we do suggest that they try my mate who specialises, and incidentally charges a mint for doing so but is very successful.
We dont need the kids parties we are happy with the rest.
I thank you for your comments, but would say that as a moderator you should be less sharp with contributors.
Are all these kids parties getting to you? Not everyone is as elequent as you, I thought I was among friends here......
All I am trying to say here is that we avoid kids parties as we dont particularly like doing them, they expect you to do them for peanuts and they are a pain in the neck to do.
So we quote the same as we would for anything else, and explain our approach if this doesnt suit the enquirer then they are free to look elsewhere, we do suggest that they try my mate who specialises, and incidentally charges a mint for doing so but is very successful.
We dont need the kids parties we are happy with the rest.
I thank you for your comments, but would say that as a moderator you should be less sharp with contributors.
whoops... thought my last post was an apology!
Kazz I need your help and advice
Well I've met this girl and she's got.........
I have been asked about doing a 13 year olds birthday party but after my last experience with a school party I am a bit reluctant to accept the booking.
I assume at that age they are not bothered with games.Is it all RnB and *rap or chart cheese and party dance(Macarena)
A little guidance will go a long way.
Well I've met this girl and she's got.........
I have been asked about doing a 13 year olds birthday party but after my last experience with a school party I am a bit reluctant to accept the booking.
I assume at that age they are not bothered with games.Is it all RnB and *rap or chart cheese and party dance(Macarena)
A little guidance will go a long way.
Hi,
We do regular work for a dance school, ages range from 4 to 21, they like all the cheesey stuff for the youngsters, most of the school are girls with a fair few lads mixed in though, then we go into the disco full on and they like rnb and chart in the main.
hope this helps
We do regular work for a dance school, ages range from 4 to 21, they like all the cheesey stuff for the youngsters, most of the school are girls with a fair few lads mixed in though, then we go into the disco full on and they like rnb and chart in the main.
hope this helps
Trev... 13 year olds might not actually come up and ask for games... but take the lead, and they love em! The trick with 13 years and above is to break the ice very quickly... get em on side first... talk to them before you start and ask if they want a "serious" party or a "fun party with laughs"..... most will go for the latter. Take a few props, wigs, inflatable instruments and get them miming as celebrity bands etc... believe me they love it. Although they like rnb/chart stuff, they are still suckers for the macarena..... ! Wigs are great ice breakers for this age... have plenty and they will all try em on... and they quickly loose their inhibitions!
Totally agree with kazzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaah.
Thanks Kazz for the advice - sorry for the delay in acknowledging your reply.
I have a regular booking for a kids disco, Junior school aged kids. normally about 100-150. They all just want the latest chart music and then a selection of really cheasy stuff basically. No one has ever expressed the slightest interest in us doing games. We have had a large number of bookings from these gigs so we must be doing something right
You are very welcome... hope it was helpful! 
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