Frequently Asked Questions about Flying Fox Studios School Holiday Workshops

• My child is anxious about attending the workshop, can I stay with them in the room?

First-Class Jitters? Totally Normal!

Trying something new can be exciting—but also a little nerve-wracking! Some kids dive right in, however it's more common for children to take a little time to warm up. Both are completely okay.

The good news? Giving new things a go helps build confidence and resilience. Our friendly team is here to support your child through this experience, and they’ll be surrounded by caring teachers and peers who were once in the same boat trying something new for the very first time.

Here are some gentle ways to help your child feel comfortable:

• Arrive a little early so they can enter the workshops at the start of the lesson, with the group.

• Visit beforehand to get familiar with the space—maybe even practice a few greetings or class-related questions.

• Show them where you will wait— In our School Holiday Workshops adults wait outside the classroom. It's helpful to let your child know in advance where you will be if they need you, and that adults will enter the classroom at the end of the workshop to see what they have been working on.

• Validate their feelings—it’s okay to be nervous! Let them know that being brave means giving it a try, even if it feels a little scary.
• Please follow the advice of the workshop instructor. Our teachers are experienced, and work with young children every day. When adults step out of the classroom this leaves space for your student to develop a connection with their teacher. This is a really important step towards helping kids feel confident in their class.
• Most importantly, we want your child to have fun, feel supported, and enjoy the process of exploring something new!

• What happens if my child is upset when I leave the classroom?

If your child becomes upset at the thought of you leaving the classroom, we completely understand. It's really common for kids to have big feelings about trying something new, in a new space.

For the benefit of all students attending our workshops, we do require parents and carers to wait outside the classroom during our school holiday workshops. There are comfortable waiting areas just steps away from the classroom doors.

However, we recognise that sometimes some children may need a little extra support as they adjust to a new setting. If this happens, our teachers will allow an adult to stay in the classroom briefly while their child settles into the class and feels comfortable in a new space. During this time, the adult will be asked to wait in the towards the back of the classroom close to the door, and will need to remain outside the main teaching space.

If you have any concerns or would like to discuss a more tailored transition plan for your child, please let us know at least 24 hours before the workshop, and we’d be happy to make arrangements. If your child is bringing a registered support worker, please notify us at least 24 hours before the workshop.

• Where is Flying Fox Studios located?

• How long does each workshop run for?

• When do you require payment?
  

• The workshops I would like is not showing 'booked out' but will not let me book all my children in.
  

• I can't see any workshops, when are they listed?
  

• Do parents stay during the workshop, or simply drop off and pick up?

Grown ups are welcome to wait on the premises in one of our lovely lounge rooms. We have a small selection puzzles and toys for little ones to play with, work desks with charging points if required, and a big backyard area to wait in.

Adults are not permitted into the teaching space while a workshop is in progress.

Carers are also welcome to leave the premises after the children have started their workshops. If a carer does leave the premises, they are expected to be contactable by phone, and return to our studio at least 5 minutes before the scheduled finish time for the workshop. Carers running late must contact Flying Fox Studios staff to notify them before the workshop has concluded.

• Do you offer supervision between workshops?

No, we do not offer supervision of children between sessions. All children are required to be supervised by their adult while using our waiting areas before, during, and after a class. When arriving on our premises, students will need to be signed into their workshop. They must then be supervised by their adult until their workshop is called, and they enter a classroom. Although our teachers will call a workshop start in all our waiting spaces, it is the responsibility of the supervising adult to make sure children are brought to their classroom at the scheduled start time. Children are not permitted in any of our waiting areas without adult supervision.

• My plans have changed, can I get a refund or credit?

We get it, plans change! For this reason Flying Fox Studios offers a workshop credit for any cancelled booking that has been requested with 7 or more days notice. For cancellations less than 7 days before the scheduled workshop, a credit will only be given if we have been able to re-book your spot at short notice. Refunds are available for extenuating circumstances only. For events outside the control of Flying Fox Studios (such as workshop cancellation due to teacher illness) a credit will be given for a future class.

• Can I change to a different workshop?

If you would like to change to a workshop during the same week then simply phone us and we will transfer your booking. Workshops are very popular so any transfer is subject to availability. Workshop transfers must be within the same scheduled week, and cannot be held in credit until a future workshop period.

• My child is outside the age range listed on the workshop , can they still come along?

Our booking system offers a 4 week age grace period for students close to the minimum and maximum age range for each class. For example if you child turns 4 the week following the workshop you will be able to register them. If your child is outside this grace period then they not be able to register for the class. Our age recommendations are set by experienced teachers and are designed with workshop content, length, and skills required in mind.

Flying Fox Studios offers the same age based enrolment policy across all programs, for students of all abilities. Every class we run has students with a wide range of abilities, our studio offers classes grouped by age. Our experienced educators will differentiate the content within a class for students will different abilities, however all students need to be within the set age limit for the class.

• Is there pram / wheelchair access?

• I don't have a credit card, how can I book a workshop?

Simply phone us and we can supply direct deposit details, or visit our studio during our regular hours and pay via cash or eftpos.

• I didn't receive an activation link for my account, what can I do?

Please check your junk mail folder, it's often found in there! If you still can't find us then simply phone or email us and we can activate your account for you.

• Who teaches each workshop?