Non-stop drama fun for children aged 3.5-4.5, with creative activities that aim to develop self-confidence and performance-awareness.
Stories and acting adventures are created daily.
Specialised workshop sessions offer a range of carefully selected creative exercises to improve voice-projection, focus, concentration, and confidence. Drama activities will encourage each child to practise listening skills and turn-taking in a fun and creative learning environment. Drama games will nurture the children’s social skills and encourage curiosity and a desire to learn.
Click to read about A Day at Dramatots
Click to read Dramatots frequently asked questions
Camp time: 9.30am -3pm (drop off from 9.15am)
Dramatots participate in a variety of fun and creative drama games and activities designed to spark curiosity, encourage improvisation and provoke imagination. Specialised daily workshop sessions are structured to include regular toilet trips and breaks.
The structure of a day at Dramatots
On the first day, the teacher will introduce themselves and their assistant to the children, and the children to each other. Throughout the week, the assistant will repeat instructions as necessary to ensure that all the children are fully aware of what is expected of them, and are confident to participate in all of the group’s activities. In both morning and afternoon sessions, all children will be given the opportunity to lead a game or exercise.
Upon arrival each day, the children will be registered and taken for a toilet-trip, and to wash their hands. The teacher will explain to the group what they will be doing that day.
Morning Session
Warm up and physical/movement games and exercises, aimed to expend energy and channel excitement in a creative, nurturing environment.
Children will have a mid-morning short, supervised snack break.
Creative and imaginative activities and games, to develop self-awareness and performance-awareness. The aim is to build confidence, develop voice-projection/communication and enhance listening skills as the children follow the teacher’s instructions and cues. There is also emphasis on teamwork, taking turns, and working together as a group.
Supervised Lunchtime
The teacher will ensure that children eat all the food provided.
Afternoon Session
Focus on story-telling and acting adventures including Dramarama’s special rolling stories; the children will devise stories and acting scenes and are not expected to learn or remember lines; instead they will build on their understanding and retention of a story by repeating the lines spoken by the teacher.
All children are given a character role to play; some stories are original, based on the children’s own ideas and interests, as well as their dressing-up characters, and some are based on excerpts from family-friendly published stories.
Children will be provided with information and cues as an introduction to early stage direction.
End of Day Summary
The drama teacher will provide a recap of the day’s games and activities, reminding children what they have done and encouraging them to recall their favourite game/story/character from the day.
Please note: Dramatots must be aged at least three and a half and have attended nursery school for at least one full term. They must be toilet trained for a minimum of three months and able to use the toilet facilities independently. Dramarama assistants take the children on regular toilet breaks and are on hand to help the children wash and dry their hands, but they do not enter the toilet cubicle and cannot provide intimate care. Children cannot attend wearing nappies or pull-ups.
If a Dramatot is tearful at drop-off, and is in distress at being left, Dramarama staff will do their very best to encourage positively the child to stay. We ask that parents/carers assist and encourage the separation process. However, if after a period of time the child remains upset despite our best efforts, we will suggest that they try again on day two of the camp. If the same issues occur on the second day, we will offer a credit note, at Dramarama's discretion, valid for year, to use on a future camp when the child is ready.
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What is Dramatots?Dramatots is a fun-filled Drama camp including creative activities to develop children's self-confidence and performance-awareness. Each day, different stories and acting adventures are created. Our camps are taught by experienced Drama teachers, along with a teaching assistant. Friends will be placed in the same group if requested (please let us know if your child has friends attending, as we may have more than one group.) Our aim is for children to develop their communication skills, cultivate their empathy, explore their emotions, and fire their imagination within the framework of a safe, nurturing and creative environment.
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Who is Dramatots for?Dramatots is for pre-Reception children aged from 3 years 6 months who have been attending nursery school for at least a term. All Dramatots must be confidently toilet trained for a minimum of 3 months, as children cannot attend wearing nappies or pull-ups. Children will be taken on regular toilet trips by the group assistant; however, we are not permitted to enter the cubicle with your child to provide intimate care. If your child does not meet these criteria now, don’t worry! We look forward to welcoming them to Dramarama, once they are ready, on a future holiday camp. We run courses regularly throughout the year, during Half Terms, Easter, Summer and Christmas Holidays. Please note: Dramatots is just for the children! All Dramarama camps are drop-off sessions and unfortunately, parents and carers cannot stay to watch (or join in!)
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What is the Dramatots drop-off and collection procedure?You will be advised of your child’s drop-off/collection points before the start of the camp. We will also let you know which group your child is in the week before the camp start date. Please let us know in advance if you think your child may have separation anxiety, and we will explain our caring and nurturing approach to this.
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What should Dramatots bring to the camp?Please provide a named, nut-free packed lunch each day, in packets/containers that your child can open and close. If you give your child food items such as grapes or cherry tomatoes, please ensure that they are sliced in half, as they can otherwise pose a choking hazard. Please ensure all lunch items are fully named, as there are often many similar-looking lunch boxes, bags and cups! Please only provide food that you know your Dramatot will eat! Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities to warm food, and cannot provide tableware or cutlery. You may also provide a small, named, nut-free, mid-morning snack. Children should not bring any other items to the camp (eg. toys, games, personal/valuable items). Dramatots should wear comfortable clothing - please ensure that all removable clothing, such as cardigans, hoodies and jackets, are clearly named. Dramatots are welcome to attend wearing their favourite dressing up outfits, although this is not compulsory - again, please name everything! Alternatively, your child can bring a prop eg. crown, tiara or similar. To ensure a happy, positive environment, please do not provide toy swords, guns or scary masks, etc.
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When I ask my child what they do at Dramatots, they do not give me any information!It is very common to find at the end of the day that your child does not provide you with much/any information about what they have been doing at Dramatots all day! Here is a selection of some good questions to ask: What part did you have today in the story? What was your favourite game? What was your favourite story today?
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My child suffers from separation anxiety, and I know they will cry as soon as I to leave them in the morning. What should I do?If you have any concerns that your child will suffer separation anxiety, please consider first if now is the right time to try the camp, it may be too soon for your child. If your child is not ready to be left yet, don’t worry! We look forward to welcoming them to Dramarama on a future holiday camp. We run camps regularly throughout the year, in Half Terms, Easter, Summer and Christmas Holidays. We have several proven, successful ways of dealing with this delicate issue, including distraction techniques with our drama props. We know that it helps if the parent/carer is enthusiastic and positive about the camp in advance of the child starting. Please try not to vocalise any anticipated issues with your child. It helps if your journey to Dramarama s as stress-free as possible, and that your child is comfortably dressed, and not hungry or thirsty. We ask that parents leave the vicinity as soon as possible, and also to allow our Drama teachers and assistants to engage with your child immediately, and positively. Please try to arrive on time, as arriving too early, or late, can be disconcerting. If your child is attending with a friend, it may help to drop them with the friend first, so that they can arrive together at Dramarama. Please note that under no circumstances are parents/carers allowed into the Dramarama classrooms with children.
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I need to pick my child up early one day. How do I arrange this?Please email the office info@dramarama.co.uk in advance to arrange this, or inform your child's Dramarama teacher in the morning.
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My child has nursery friends also attending. Can they all be together?Yes, of course! We will always ensure where possible that friends are in the same Dramatots group. Please email the names of other friends also joining us, as we do not automatically know which nurseries and schools the children attend.
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Can my child be in the same group as their sibling?Children attend Dramarama in age-related groups, so siblings can attend together if they are the correct age to be in the same group.
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I love to see my child perform – can I come to watch?Unfortunately, parents/carers are not permitted on-site to watch any part of the camp, or sit with their children as they participate. Dramatots participate in Drama Workshop camps, there is no end of camp performance to parents/carers.
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Where should I drop-off and collect my child?We will email their group name, along with the drop-off/collection points, the week before the start of the course.
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What happens if I am running late one morning for drop off?If you are more than five minutes late, please drop-off at the drop-off point. This information will be emailed the week before the course.
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What is the earliest time I can drop-off?Please drop-off no earlier than 9.30am.
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What should my child bring with them each day?Please provide a named, nut-free packed lunch each day, in packets/containers that your child can open and close. If you give your child food items such as grapes or cherry tomatoes, please ensure that they are sliced in half, as they can otherwise pose a choking hazard. Please also provide a refillable water bottle. Children should not bring any other items to the course (eg. toys, games, personal/valuable items).
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I have two children attending; which child should I collect first?Siblings can be collected together - please collect all children with your youngest child.
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What should my child wear?Your child should wear comfortable clothes, and can attend wearing their favourite dressing up clothes. Please ensure that all removable clothing is clearly named. If the weather is warm, please apply sunscreen in the morning, and provide a sun hat or cap.
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Will my child be able to play outside, to get some fresh air?Our Dramatots courses take place in a well-ventilated indoor space. Dramatots do not play outside.
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Can my nanny collect my child?Yes, please include on the registration form the names of all adults authroised to collect. After that, please inform your child’s teacher of collection information at drop off. If you’d prefer to email any information not included on the registration form, please email info@dramarama.co.uk
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Are there any parking restrictions I should be aware of?Most of the surrounding roads have pay-and-display parking. Please be mindful that some roads have restricted access during certain times; please be mindful of all parking regulations to avoid receipt of a PCN.
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My child will scoot or cycle to and from the camp; can they leave their scooter/bike on-site for the day?Unfortunately no personal items, including bikes or scooters, can be left on site.
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Can I contact Dramarama during the camp?Rest assured, you will be contacted immediately if your child is unwell, or there any issue arises with your child during the course. If you need to provide any additional information – eg. changes of names of adults authorised to collect, etc. – please email info@dramarama.co.uk
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If I have any further questions, who should I ask?"In the first instance, please direct all questions and queries to the Dramarama office - email info@dramarama.co.uk
