Running a great party
Advice from the day-to-day of the job: before, during and after.
For children's entertainers
What should I do in the week before?
- Message the customer to confirm the date, your start time, the address and how many children are coming.
- Ask where to park, and whether there are stairs, if you are carrying equipment.
- Ask about allergies and anything a child is afraid of.
- Say how you would like the balance paid.
- Give them your mobile number for the day, and check you have theirs.
And the day before?
- Look up the journey for the time you will be travelling, not for now. A Saturday at 2 pm is not a Tuesday evening.
- Pack and check everything, and charge anything that needs charging.
- Leave room between parties. A party that starts late still has to finish, and the next family is waiting.
What makes the day itself go well?
- Arrive early enough to set up before your start time, not at it.
- Find the adult who booked you first. Agree where you will be, when the food is, and when you finish.
- Learn the birthday child's name and use it.
- Keep an eye on the quiet ones. Nobody should be made to join in.
- Finish on time, tidy up after yourself, and say goodbye to the birthday child.
What about safety around children?
This is general good practice, not legal advice. The law on safeguarding and vetting is your own responsibility: check what applies to your work.
- The parents are in charge of the children. Make sure an adult from the party is in the room with you the whole time, and never be alone with a child.
- Do not take a child to the toilet or anywhere else. Ask a parent.
- Ask before you take photos or video, and never post a child's photo without their parent saying yes.
- Keep cables, helium, hot things and small parts out of reach.
- If a child is hurt or upset, stop and fetch their parent.
What should I know about allergies?
- Balloons: most are latex. Ask about latex allergies before you bring them.
- Face paints: use paints made for skin, ask about skin conditions and allergies, and do not paint a child with broken skin or a cold sore.
- Sweets and prizes: ask the parent before handing out anything to eat. Many prefer you did not.
- Animals: tell the customer exactly which animals you are bringing.
I am running late. What should I do?
Ring the customer as soon as you know, not when you were due to arrive. Give them an honest time, and offer to stay on at the end to make up for it if you can.
And afterwards?
- Thank the customer in the chat the same day or the next.
- Mark the balance as paid.
- Ask for a review. How to ask.
- Ask if you may use a photo or two from the day on your page.