Sean Harper of Just For Fun Holiday Club is having a busy August!

August is upon us – it’s the month of holidays, summer fun and time off for many people. It’s also the time of the Olympics (from July 26) and the Paralympics (from August 28).

So how are small business owners coping with the month often known as ‘silly season’?

Up today is Sean Harper, from the Just for Fun Holiday Club. Based in Swindon, the Just for Fun Holiday Club provides affordable childcare for children during the school holidays between the ages of 4-13 years. With a huge range of activities to participate in, the children never have an opportunity to get bored.

How is August looking in your business? Does this month hold any special significance in your business? Anniversary, milestone, accreditation, new premises? New staff?
August is the busiest month of the year for us. We will have over 6000 bookings this summer across 4 venues. The summer is where we get to showcase what makes us one of, if not, the best holiday club in Swindon. Each day is themed to a specific enriching activity that runs alongside our daily plan of fun and games. We will have Mini medics courses running for young children to learn about what to do if someone collapses or injures themselves, we have the fire brigade, police and ambulance services visiting, smoothing making and fruit kebab making, water fights, nerf battles, Olympic games, sports day, inflatables day and so so much more.

With over 80 staff now representing us, we are able to offer staff from all backgrounds to support the young children who attend. Our team is what makes us great ad their passion for wanting to make a difference to the children who attend. The new staff have seamlessly fitted into our current team and have made us stronger for it. 

What are your personal plans for this month?
Personal plans for this month is not to forget that I have 2 children myself, who also want to see me this summer. It’s easy to just focus on the running of holiday club and expecting my children to fit around me. I’m trying on my days off to not have the phone glued to my ear and give my children the time they deserve. We have lots planned and i need to remember to remain in the moment as we only get this time once. I do need reminding at times but it’s hard when the business is your baby and the buck stops with you.

It’s the Olympics or Paralympics this month – any thoughts, memories or relevance to you or your business or organisation this month?
The Olympics has played a big part with our holiday clubs this summer. We have tried to introduce new sports and activities to the children to inspire them to maybe try something they haven't done before or realise they have a talent they didn’t know about before. Breakdancing was a huge hit and one so many loved, both young and old. 

We have had children making their own medals, certificates given out for excellence, New PBs for throwing. Every day we do a coach’s challenge and some of these have been inspired by the Olympics with the children getting behind the coaches. 

August 20 is World Photo Day. Can you share a photo as an attachment which means something to you this year so far?
I think it would have to be this one of my family having a fun day out together.

Did you know August 21 is World Entrepreneurs Day? What does this word mean to you and do you apply it to yourself?
The word to me feels a little strange. I’m an entrepreneur because of the business myself and Mike have created but I still feel that it’s only those making millions who can call themselves this. Maybe because the word has so many syllables, I don’t know. It just feels natural to say this.

I never introduce myself or refer to myself as being an entrepreneur but yeah, I guess I am. 

Can you name one business you’d like to give a summer shout out too? Who has gone the extra mile for you recently?
I would love to give a shout out to Steve and Libby from Libby’s World of Wizardry. They have been so supportive this summer with our food offering to the children of Swindon. We have joined forces and have achieved a 5 Star EHO rating in the process. Both Steve and Libby and such genuine people who have the same ethos as me when it comes to children and childcare. 

They have a shop in Gorse Hill and would highly recommend a visit. The children can watch films, take selfies, buy merch and have a drink and a bite to eat. 

https://www.facebook.com/gorsehilltearoomandcafe/?locale=en_GB

Have you got any events planned for the autumn you’d like to shout about – either that you are running or attending?
We have our October Holiday Club running which is a favourite for many of the children who regularly attend. It's Halloween so we have pumpkin carving, Halloween party, fancy dress and so much more to be announced. The nights are dark early, and the weather isn’t great, but we know how to have fun. It’s also a chance to get excited about bonfire night and the build up to Christmas. There is so much to do over this period it really does keep everyone busy. 

For more information visit www.justforfunholidayclub.co.uk