This guide is designed to help you understand what the Playlab is, how it works, and what to expect when you and your child attend a session at Happy Mondays. Our aim is to make the experience feel calm, supportive, and reassuring for both you and your child.

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1. What Is the Playlab?

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The Playlab offers short, supervised, play‑based care sessions for children under five, while parents work nearby in the same building.

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It is designed to:

• Support children’s development through play

• Give parents focused work time

• Reduce the emotional strain of long separations

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The Playlab is not a nursery and not a drop‑off childcare service. Parents remain on site at all times.

 

2. What We Mean by “Play‑Based Care”

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At Happy Mondays, play‑based care means:

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• Children learn and develop through play

• Sessions are child‑led and gently facilitated

• Emotional security is prioritised

• Parents remain close and contactable

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Sessions are intentionally short to suit young children and to support realistic work windows for parents.

 

3. Who the Playlab Is For

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The Playlab is designed for:

• Children under five

• Parents who need short, focused work time

• Families looking for a flexible, supportive alternative to traditional models

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It may be especially helpful if your child is:

• New to group settings

• Adjusting to short separations

• Sensitive to long days away from parents

 

4. Session Length & Structure

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Most Playlab sessions last between 60 and 120 minutes.

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A typical session includes:

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Arrival & Settling

• Calm welcome from our team

• Time to help your child settle

• Gentle transition into play

Play Time

• Child‑led play

• Sensory, imaginative, and creative activities

• Light adult facilitation and supervision

Wind‑Down & Reconnection

• Calm transition towards the end of the session

• Positive handover back to you

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5. Parent Presence (Important)

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The Playlab operates on a parent‑present model.

This means:

• Parents must remain in the building at all times

• You must be contactable during the session

• You may be asked to return to the Playlab if needed

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This proximity is key to your child’s emotional security and is a core part of how the model works.

Every session is reset to ensure a clean, calm environment.

6. Our Team
Your child will be supported by:

• Early years practitioners

• Play facilitators

All staff are:

• Trained in safeguarding

• Experienced in early years settings

• Focused on creating a calm, nurturing environment

 
7. Safety, Wellbeing & Safeguarding
Your child’s safety is our priority.
We have:

• Clear safeguarding procedures

• Daily space and safety checks

• Risk‑assessed play materials

• Accident and incident recording processes

A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is always in place.
 
8. Illness & Attendance
To keep everyone safe:

• Please do not attend if your child is unwell

• Children with contagious illnesses should stay at home

• If your child becomes unwell during a session, we will contact you

 
9. Behaviour & Emotional Support
We understand that young children express themselves in many ways.
Our approach:

• Is calm and supportive

• Focuses on emotional regulation

• Uses age‑appropriate boundaries

• Avoids punishment

We may involve you if your child needs additional reassurance.
 
10. Inclusion & Additional Needs
We welcome children with a wide range of needs and abilities.
If your child has:

• Additional needs

• Sensory sensitivities

• Any support requirements

Please speak to us in advance so we can plan together.
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11. What the Playlab Does and Doesn’t Do
The Playlab Does:

• Provide supervised, play‑based care

• Support children’s social and emotional development

• Offer calm, short sessions

The Playlab Does Not:

• Replace full‑time childcare

• Offer drop‑off care

• Provide meals (unless stated)