accommodates up to 20 primary level children, aged four to eleven, for one week camps during the summer.

The centre, which runs an after school-care as well as a holiday-care programme, started their summer camp six years ago, according to owner Mrs.

Donna Smith-Hughes.

"We started with eight children in our first summer camp,'' she said. "And we've taken more than 20 kids in the past. But I am limiting the number to 20 this summer.

"I don't like to have more than that so I can keep the camp personal and cater to the children properly,'' she said.

Children can attend the camp for just one week or for the programme's duration. And activities are varied so as not to create too much repetition for those who spend all summer at Little Palms, she noted.

The programme includes arts and crafts, dance, drama and cooking classes as well as group games and projects. The programme also offers kayaking for older children at Cambridge Beaches and tennis at the Stadium.

Outside of the planned activities, children can go horseback riding at Spicelands twice a week, said Mrs. Smith-Hughes. And they can take swimming lessons from a qualified instructor.

"We will drive them to and from the lessons,'' she said, adding that activities outside of the planned programme cost extra.

Each summer, Little Palms Children's Centre has theme days where the kids' activities are centred around the chosen theme, said Mrs. Smith-Hughes.

"Two years ago, for example, we had a Submarine Day. The children learned about submarines, went on the submarine at Dockyard and ate submarine sandwiches for lunch.

"Last year, we had a Disney Day which was a great success. We had a fun castle, a train, a motor bike and a dunking stool as well as cotton candy and snow cones for everyone.'' She added: "We only have about three theme days a summer because they take a lot of work. And we like to prepare the arts and crafts and other activities around the theme.'' Mrs. Smith-Hughes said Little Palms Children's Centre caters well to working parents because although the day's activities don't start until 9 a.m., children can arrive any time after 7.30 a.m. and they can stay until 6 p.m.