First up, child-friendly events encompass a range of considerations and amenities to accommodate families and make your event as family-inclusive as possible. Here are some key elements to consider:
Child-friendly eating areas: Ensure that your event has suitable dining spaces for families, equipped with highchairs and child-friendly menu options.
Changing facilities and breastfeeding areas: Create designated spaces for parents to attend to the needs of their infants comfortably.
Slings and buggy park: If the venue restricts the use of buggies inside, provide slings and a secure buggy park for convenience.
Child-friendly activities and entertainers: Incorporate engaging activities and entertainers suitable for various age groups to keep children entertained.
Parentally supervised play areas: Offer spaces with play equipment where parents can supervise their children, ensuring both safety and enjoyment.
Crèche services: Consider offering short-stay or full-day childcare services to allow parents to fully participate in your event.
Embracing a family-friendly approach can yield several advantages for your event:
Access to a wider audience: By providing childcare services, you’ll enable parents who struggle with childcare arrangements to attend, broadening your attendee base. You’ll also be seen as an accessible and inclusive event, certainly for families and working parents.
Building a family-friendly reputation: Creating a welcoming environment can enhance your organisation or event's image, encouraging repeat attendance and positive word-of-mouth.
Peace of mind for parents: Proximity to childcare services allows parents to focus on your event without worrying about their children's well-being.
Pester power: Satisfied children can become powerful advocates, influencing their parents to return to your events.
Implementing a child-friendly strategy requires careful planning and consideration of both legal and practical aspects:
Safeguarding: You’ll need to show that you prioritise the safety and welfare of children by implementing robust safeguarding measures, including staff training and emergency protocols.
Lost child provision: Develop clear procedures for dealing with both found and missing children, including designated areas for holding found children and appropriate record-keeping.
Nappy changing facilities and breastfeeding areas: Ensure inclusivity by providing dedicated spaces for these essential parenting activities.
Access and egress: Assess the event venue for child safety, addressing potential hazards such as wiring or gaps in structures.
Even if your event isn't specifically geared towards children, having policies in place is still crucial: what would you do if a child makes his way into your rooms or exhibition floor, how about an at-risk adult? What if a well-meaning team member let the family that had travelled from afar into your event to avoid any backlash from refusing entry? If you have the following procedures in place you, your staff, your event and the child or adult in question will be covered and looked after!
Safeguarding policy: Clearly outline procedures for reporting concerns about a child, with contact information for local authorities and child protection organisations.
Lost/abandoned child policy: Establish protocols for handling situations involving found or missing children, or adults at-risk, including designated areas for temporary care and trained personnel.
Creating a child-friendly event is a strategic move that can enhance your event's reputation, broaden your audience, and contribute to a positive and inclusive experience for all attendees.
As a final note, consider partnering with a professional childcare service such as Nipperbout to provide a secure and engaging environment for children, allowing parents to fully engage with your event. By prioritising family-friendly practices, your event is sure to leave a lasting impression on both parents and children alike.