Working restrictions by age
All performances must follow the child performance regulations from the 2014 Children in Performance and Activities Regulations.
These regulations restrict the length of time a child can perform, how many breaks they need and state how many of hours of education are needed if a child is performing or rehearsing in school time.
Children aged 0 to 4
If a child is aged between 0 and 4 they can:
- be at the location of the performance or rehearsal for a maximum of 5 hours
- be at the location of the performance or rehearsal from 7am at the earliest and no later than 10pm
- perform or rehearse continuously for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time
- perform or rehearse for a maximum of 2 hours a day
- perform or rehearse for a maximum of 6 days in a row.
A child must be given a certain amount of breaks from performing or rehearsing.
They must also be given breaks of:
- a minimum of 15 minutes
- at least one 45 minute meal break if the child is at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than 4 hours
- at least 1 hour 30 minutes between performances.
Children aged between 5 and 8
If a child is aged between 5 and 8 they can:
- be at the location of the performance or rehearsal for a maximum of 8 hours
- be at the location of the performance or rehearsal from 7am at the earliest and no later than 11pm
- perform or rehearse continuously for a maximum of 2 hours 30 minutes at a time
- perform or rehearse for a maximum of 3 hours a day
- perform or rehearse for a maximum of 6 days in a row.
They must also have breaks of:
- at least one 45 minute meal break and at least one break of 15 minutes if at the place of performance or rehearsal for over 4 hours but under 8 hours
- at least one 45 minute meal break, and at least two 15 minute breaks if at the place of performance or rehearsal for 8 hours or more
- 1 hour 30 minutes between performances.
They must also get a certain amount of education time.
Children aged 5 to 8 must get a minimum of:
- 3 hours of education per day (maximum of 5 hours)
- 15 hours of education a week, taught on school days
- 6 hours of education in a week if totalling over a 4 week period or less.
Children aged 9 or above
If a child is aged 9 or above they can:
- be at the location of the performance or rehearsal for a maximum of 9 hours 30 minutes
- be at the location of the performance or rehearsal from 7am at the earliest and no later than 11pm
- perform or rehearse continuously for a maximum of 2 hours 30 minutes at a time
- perform or rehearse for a maximum of 5 hours a day
- not perform or rehearse for more than 6 days in a row.
They must also be given breaks of:
- at least one 45 minute meal break and at least one break of 15 minutes if at the place of performance or rehearsal for over 4 hours but under 8 hours
- at least one 45 minute meal break, and at least two 15 minute breaks if at the place of performance or rehearsal for 8 hours or more
- at least 1 hour 30 minutes between performances.
The child must get time for education. For children aged 9 or above they must get a minimum of:
- 3 hours of education per day (maximum of 5 hours)
- 15 hours of education a week, taught on school days
- 6 hours of education in a week if totalling over a 4 week period or less.