How to Choose a Kids Entertainer by Sally Coulthard

• Book well in advance, especially at busy times of the year e.g. Christmas.

• Make sure the entertainer has public liability insurance.

• Some entertainers are members of Equity, giving them automatic public liability insurance to £5,000,000.

• Ask if they have a Criminal Record Bureau check certificate.  Kids entertainers should ideally have a Standard or Enhanced CRB check, not just a Basic check.

• A good entertainer should have lots of testimonials.  Follow these up if possible.

• Keep it short and sweet.  Children will struggle with a party lasting more than two hours.

• Choose age appropriate entertainment, small children, for example, may find clowns too scary.

• Make sure you know exactly what the performance will entail.

• Arrange for kids to eat before the entertainers performance starts.

• If any child tells you of inappropriate behaviour report this immediately to the police.