PlayBoard NI

School-Age Childcare: The Journey - The Future
2025-09-26 09:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London)
SAVE THE DATE

Celebrating YOU – The Workforce

We’re inviting school-age practitioners, managers, and setting owners to a special morning of celebration and inspiration! Join us for a fun-filled event where we’ll be sharing practical ideas for your setting, with great opportunities to make new connections.

We’ll be covering a range of themes on the day including:

Play and supporting children’s mental health and well-being

Making inclusive practice playful

Outdoor play magic

Building connections with Further Education Colleges – meet potential employees!

Bring your team, celebrate your impact, and leave energised with new ideas!

Save the date – Friday 26 September 2025.

Book your place Here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1605994214929?aff=oddtdtcreator

Branching Out: Outdoor Play Unleashed
2025-08-15 10:00 - 13:00
Venue: Wee Chicks Childcare, 111-113 Limestone Road, Belfast BT15 3AB

A fun, hands-on training session exploring creative and inspiring outdoor play ideas.

A dynamic and practical session that delves into the vital role of outdoor play in children’s development. Explore the wide-reaching benefits of quality outdoor experiences and gain fresh ideas for bringing more outdoor play into your setting. With a blend of expert insight, hands-on tools, meaningful discussion, and a chance to get outside and play, you’ll leave feeling inspired to enrich your provision through the power of outdoor play.

Facilitators: Meryl Boyd (PlayBoard) and Shelly McGee.

This FREE session is suitable for school-age childcare practitioners, deputy managers, and managers.

Please note: Places are limited to five people per setting. Refreshments will be provided.

If you have any enquiries, please email meryl.boyd@playboard.co.uk

Information Session on Financial Support Available to Parents
2025-08-12 10:00 - 11:30
and 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Information session on financial support available to working parents including the NICSS extension to school age children.

* Please note – this event has been rescheduled from 14 to 12 August *

Working parents with a household income of up to £200,000 could be entitled to financial help with childcare costs – and many don’t even know it!

Join us for an Information Session with Chris Briggs, Senior Family Benefits Advisor, Employers For Childcare.

Find out about support available through:

Universal Credit

Tax Credits

Childcare Vouchers

Tax-Free Childcare

Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS).

What you’ll learn:

The recent extension of NICSS into school-age childcare

Who’s eligible and how to register

What providers need to know

How to make sure you’re getting the best support for your family.

This session is suitable for registered childcare owners, managers, deputy managers, committee members and parents.

Play in the Park
2025-07-30 10:00 - 2025-08-06 16:00
PlayBoard is joining Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to deliver 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 – child-led play sessions with loose parts, arts and crafts, den building, sensory play and more!

Children are free to explore, create, build, move, and make their own fun in a safe, welcoming space.

Tannaghmore Gardens – Wed 30 July, 10.00am – 12.00pm *fully booked

Edenvilla Park – Wed 30 July, 2.00pm – 4.00pm *fully booked

Solitude Park – Fri 1 August, 10.00am – 12.00pm *fully booked

Armagh Palace on Playday – Wed 6 August | 10.00am – 12.00pm – Playday! *fully booked

Loughgall Country Park on Playday – Wed 6 August | 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Playday! *fully booked

The sessions are open to primary school age children and registration is essential. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Enhancing practice through sensory spaces and play
2025-06-23 09:30 - 15:00
In partnership with Co-operation Ireland, we’re hosting a FREE full day training for professionals and volunteers working with children and young people. The session will look at practical strategies to support diverse needs and nurture well-being through sensory and playful approaches.

Venue: Teach na nDaoine, Monaghan

Information session - OUR Generation, Spaces to Be
2025-04-29 11:30 - 12:15
Are you working with children aged 9 – 11 years over the summer months?

Would you like to take part in our FREE cross-community programme as part of your summer scheme?

PlayBoard’s Spaces to Be Programme champions the child’s right to play as a means of promoting positive mental health, building resilience, and positively addressing difference.

Join our information session to find out how this programme could be incorporated into your summer scheme.*

Join the session by clicking here.

If you are interested, but unable to attend, please contact Roberta Johnson via email: Roberta.Johnson@playboard.co.uk

Find out more about OUR Generation – Spaces to Be.

OUR Generation is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

*Selection criteria applies

Employers for Childcare webinar
2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:30
March 12 @7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Information session on financial support available to working parents accessing childcare.

Chris Briggs, Senior Family Benefits Advisor with Employers for Childcare will be delivering an information session to School-Age Childcare providers and parents which will give an overview of the financial support available for parents towards the cost of registered School-Age Childcare.

The session is suitable for School-Age Childcare managers, deputy managers, staff and parents.

Register for 10am session: https://EFCCMarch25am.eventbrite.co.uk

Register for 7pm session: https://EFCCMarch25.eventbrite.co.uk

Playful Minds Information session
2025-03-05 10:30 - 11:00
March 5 @ 3:30 pm – 4:00pm

Join our online information session on 5 March at 10:30am or 3:30pm to learn about Playful Minds – our exciting new programme.

The Playful Minds programme aims to build emotional intelligence and promote positive mental health through providing exciting play opportunities for 4 to 9 year olds across various settings within the Belfast City Council area:

Primary schools

School-aged childcare settings

Community groups

Our information session will provide you with more details about our FREE programme which includes children’s play sessions, practitioner training, and parental engagement and most importantly, how to secure your setting’s booking.

If you work with children aged 4 to 9 in a primary school, school-age childcare setting or community group register now! Email: playfulminds@playboard.co.uk

Find out more about Playful Minds.

Playful Minds is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Let’s have a conversation …. New financial year, upcoming financial changes and potential impact
2025-02-18 10:00 - 11:00
FREE webinar for School-Age Childcare providers.

Join the informal conversation to explore the Budget changes announced in October 2024, and the impact it may have on your finances. We will also discuss what out of school childcare settings should be doing to prepare and plan ahead of the new financial year.

1. What exactly are the changes and are they applicable to School-Age-Childcare settings?

2. Financial impact of these changes.

3. What else might be impacted by the upcoming budget changes?

4. Is there anything else we should be considering?

5. Planning ahead for the next financial year.

As a conversation, participants are invited to take part in the discussion and are encouraged to share ideas for meeting the challenges ahead.

Facilitator: Maura Moore

Book your free place at https://PBNewFinancialYear180225.eventbrite.co.uk

OUR Generation information session
2025-02-07 10:30 - 11:00
OUR Generation is a partnership, led by Action Mental Health, which aims to empower and invest in our children and young people. Bringing together the expertise of nine partner organisations, the project is committed to delivering impactful initiatives to support children and young people’s mental health and well-being. The partnership builds on the highly successful PEACE IV OUR Generation project.

PlayBoard NI, in collaboration with Action Mental Health and Cooperation Ireland, is hosting two online information sessions for prospective participants.

We will be delivering programmes for children aged 9 to 11 years in schools, community groups, and School-Age Childcare settings across the following areas:

Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon Council area

Newry, Mourne, Down Council area

Border area of County Monaghan

Border area of County Louth

BOOK

Book now to find out more about our FREE programmes and the prospective benefits to your school or setting. Please email hayley.ford@playboard.co.uk

FURTHER INFORMATION

PlayBoard’s OUR Generation programme – advocating the use of play as a means of supporting the development of childhood resilience, and as a mechanism for positively addressing differences.

OUR Generation project

Employers for Childcare webinar
2025-02-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-02-05 19:00 - 20:30
This session has been postponed to 12 March. Bookings will open soon. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Information session on financial support available to working parents accessing childcare.

Chris Briggs, Senior Family Benefits Advisor with Employers for Childcare will be delivering an information session to School-Age Childcare providers and parents which will give an overview of the financial support available for parents towards the cost of registered School-Age Childcare.

The session is suitable for School-Age Childcare managers, deputy managers, staff and parents.

What to Expect at Inspection
2025-01-24 10:00 - 12:00
A practical look at how to prepare for inspection and effectively managing logistics on the day.

In this free two-hour session for school-age childcare providers, we will delve into the key strategies for preparing for an inspection, covering all the essential steps in the lead-up to inspection.

Additionally, we will focus on managing logistics on the day itself, including staffing coordination, maintaining routines, and effectively addressing any challenges that may arise during the inspection process.

This interactive session encourages participants to share insights and collaborate on problem-solving, drawing from your own experiences to address challenges encountered in previous inspections.

This webinar is suitable for school-age childcare registered persons, managers, deputy managers and staff.

Facilitator: Shelly McGee

Book your FREE place at https://PBInspections240125.eventbrite.co.uk

Progressing Play In Ireland
2025-01-22 12:00 - 14:00
Join PlayBoard NI and the National Childhood Network for an insightful online event on Wednesday 22 January 2025, 12:00 – 2:00pm.

The event will offer a first-look at the results of our recent survey on children and young people’s play in Ireland. This is a unique opportunity focusing on the voice of children and young people and their thoughts on the importance of play, and the challenges they face in realising their Right to Play.

We are also delighted to launch a branch of the International Play Association (IPA) in Ireland during the event. IPA Ireland will further the work of IPA, striving to protect, preserve and promote the child’s Right to Play locally.

Event speakers:

Alan Herron, CEO of PlayBoard NI

Michelle Hart, CEO of the National Childhood Network

Robyn Monro Miller, President of the International Play Association

Jacqueline O’Loughlin, Chair of International Play Association NI

Dr Helen Lynch, Senior Lecturer, Researcher, and Coordinator of P4Play

Shelly McGee, Development Officer for School-Age Childcare & Play, National Childhood Network

Join the conversation on progressing play in Ireland – register now.

Let's have a conversation ... about staff retention
2024-11-19 10:00 - 11:00
Free webinar for childcare providers on staff retention.

Join the conversation to explore the topic of staff retention. Share your approach and ideas to ensure staff are contented within your organisation.

The session will cover:

Staff contracts – are they up-to-date and reflective of current job role?

Staff supervision

Effective and productive staff meetings

Training opportunities

Staff incentive ideas that are relatively free or low cost.

Participants will be encouraged to participate in the session and share good practice tips.

Facilitator: Maura Moore

Book your FREE place at https://PBStaffRetention191124.eventbrite.co.uk

P

Making Inclusive Practice Playful
2024-11-15 10:00 - 12:00
A practical look at how school-age childcare settings can further develop inclusive practices.

With 1 in 5 children needing additional support, it is crucial that School-Age Childcare providers adapt policy and processes to ensure not only inclusive practice, but that all children’s needs (including play needs) are being met.

During the workshop, we will explore Additional Needs Policy & Practice as well as taking a practical look at adapting play and implementing appropriate strategies for managing a group of children with differing needs and abilities.

This free session is suitable for School-Age Childcare registered persons, managers, deputy managers and staff.

Facilitators: Laura Perry, PlayBoard and Shelly McGee, NCN.

Book your FREE place at https://PBInclusivePractice151124.eventbrite.co.uk

PlayBoard AGM & State of the Sector (SAC) Findings Launch
2024-11-14 10:00 - 12:00 | NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast
PlayBoard members are invited to join us for our 39th Annual General Meeting taking place in NICVA, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast on 14 November.

The event will review PlayBoard’s continued work over the past year in leading the play agenda. Following our AGM, we will share findings from our recent State of the Sector – School Age Childcare survey.

This event is also open to non-members with an interest in School-Age Childcare services.

With work progressing on the development of the NI Executive’s Early learning and Childcare Strategy for Northern Ireland alongside a review of the Minimum Standards for childcare providers, this is a critical time for the School-Age Childcare and playwork sector.

To ensure that we have a clear understanding of both the opportunities and challenges facing School-Age Childcare providers, PlayBoard in partnership with the School-Age Childcare Forum undertook a State of the Sector survey. The survey was an opportunity for School-Age Childcare providers to share a range of information about practice, workforce and quality within their setting alongside their views on the challenges facing the sector now and in the immediate future. For parents/carers with a child/ren attending School-Age Childcare, the survey was an opportunity to have their say and help shape the future of play-based School-Age Childcare Services in Northern Ireland.

It is crucial that the value of School-Age Childcare is championed and supported. Join us on 14 November when we’ll be sharing the findings from this important survey.

Click here to download the Programme and AGM papers.

Registration from 9:30am, with the event beginning at 10:00am.

We hope to see you then!

Book your place at https://PBAGMSoS2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Sign up for FREE PlayBoard membership.

PlayBoard member engagement session on draft Programme for Government 24-27
2024-10-23 10:00 - 11:00
Free online session for members to support consultation responses.

The NI Executive has agreed a draft Programme for Government 2024-2027 – Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most. An eight-week public consultation runs until 4 November to hear your views.

This online session for PlayBoard members will provide an analysis of the Programme for Government from a play perspective with a view to supporting member responses to the consultation, helping to articulate the needs of the play and School-Age Childcare sector.

To book your place go to https://PlayBoardPfG2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Sign up for FREE PlayBoard membership.

For information on the draft Programme for Government 2024-2027 go to www.northernireland.gov.uk/PfG

Let's have a conversation ... about parental fees and breakeven
2024-10-15 10:00 - 11:00
Free webinar for childcare providers on parental fees and establishing the breakeven point.

Join this informal discussion to explore the topic of parental fees, different approaches to pricing as in:

Session price as opposed to hourly pricing.

Charging for transport.

Difference in the pricing strategy of rural projects as opposed to city-based projects.

Open discussion around the issues facing projects.

As part of the session, we will also discuss finding your breakeven point and how this is helpful.

Participants will be encouraged to participate in the session and share some good practice tips.

Facilitator: Maura Moore

Book your FREE place at https://PBParentalFees151024.eventbrite.co.uk

Shaping the future of voluntary work in NI: next steps
2024-09-25 19:00 - 21:30
Venue: Waterside Shared Village, Derry/Londonderrry

This workshop will share findings from the voluntary sector workshops held in March 2024 and discuss the structures and support needed to move this process to the next stage.

In March 2024, NICVA in partnership with a committee from across the youth work and play sector engaged with over 150 staff and volunteers. Through a series of workshops participants discussed the future sustainability of voluntary youth work. Their insights helped shape an evidence-based research report that captures the current state of voluntary youth work in Northern Ireland and outlines future needs and recommendations.

This work has been funded by Dormant Accounts Fund NI and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Visit NICVA’s website to book.

Information session for childcare providers on financial support for working parents
2024-09-24 10:00 - 11:30
or 7:00 – 8:30pm

Information session on financial support available to working parents accessing childcare, and how this impacts on the viability of registered settings.

Chris Briggs, Senior Family Benefits Advisor from Employers For Childcare will be delivering an information session to School Age Childcare providers which will give an overview of the financial support available for parents towards the cost of registered School Age Childcare.

The session will look at how subsidies can contribute to the financial viability of settings, as well as the settings’ roles and responsibilities for implementation of these subsidies such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Childcare Vouchers, Tax-Free Childcare and the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS).

During the session, providers will be given information on the new NICSS, who is eligible, how they can register and requirements for the scheme. With the implementation of the NICSS it is important for parents to check they are receiving the best form of support in their household circumstances, providers will discover how they can support parents to achieve this.

This FREE online session is suitable for registered childcare owners, managers, deputy managers and committee members.

To book your place email katherine.lindsay@playboard.co.uk with your name, contact email, school-age childcare setting and Childcare Partnership area.

Shaping the future of voluntary work in NI: next steps
2024-09-18 10:00 - 12:30
Venue: NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast

This workshop will share findings from the voluntary sector workshops held in March 2024 and discuss the structures and support needed to move this process to the next stage.

In March 2024, NICVA in partnership with a committee from across the youth work and play sector engaged with over 150 staff and volunteers. Through a series of workshops participants discussed the future sustainability of voluntary youth work. Their insights helped shape an evidence-based research report that captures the current state of voluntary youth work in Northern Ireland and outlines future needs and recommendations.

This work has been funded by Dormant Accounts Fund NI and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Visit NICVA’s website to book.

Let's have a conversation ... about reserves
2024-09-17 10:00 - 11:00
Join the informal conversation to explore the topic of reserves and reserves policies for childcare providers.

This FREE webinar is an opportunity to find out what reserves are, why a business needs them, what level of reserves are required, and implementing a reserves policy.

Facilitator: Maura Moore

To book your FREE place go to https://PBReserves170924.eventbrite.co.uk

Outdoor Classroom Day
2024-05-23 00:00 - 23:59
Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day. On two days of action each year, teachers take children outdoors to play and learn. All year round, the Outdoor Classroom Day community campaigns for more time outdoors every day.

Find out more, sign up and access resources at www.outdoorclassroomday.org.uk

PlayBoard’s school programmes work with the entire school community to support and enhance play knowledge, whilst developing the outdoor play environment to maximise children’s play, learning opportunities, and experiences.

Play has a critical role in schools – offering an outlet for expending energy during break times, enhancing concentration levels within the class room, and as a means of contributing to learning through the curriculum.

Find out more about Play in Schools.

A Summer of Play - Planning for Summer
2024-05-15 18:30 - 21:30
Join PlayBoard and Childcare Partnerships to prepare for summer!

All children love to play. For most of us, the summer is synonymous with play. It’s more important than ever that children have time to play and access to quality play opportunities. So – let’s do what we can to make it the best summer of play ever!

The session will look at why play is particularly important at this time and share lots of practical ideas to help you prepare for, and make happen, the best summer of play ever.

This FREE training for childcare providers will run on three dates – choose your preferred date from the list below. All sessions are online and run from 6:30 to 9:30pm.

Wednesday 15 May

Monday 20 May

Tuesday 4 June

Book on Childcare Partnerships website – https://ccptraining.hscni.net/Courses/Details/173

Emotions Matter (School Age Childcare)
2024-05-09 19:00 - 20:30
It is well documented that emotional intelligence can be a strong predictor of success in relationships, academic achievement, health and quality of life. Children with higher levels of emotional intelligence are more likely to pay attention and be more engaged in school and they are also shown to have greater ability to regulate their emotions more effectively.

This online session aims to provide practitioners with strategies to help the children they work with explore their emotions and learn fun ways to help them self-regulate.

IPA NI Quiz
2024-04-11 19:30 - 21:30
Join the Northern Ireland branch of the International Play Association at their Quiz on Thursday 11 April at The Four Winds, 111 Newton Park, Belfast.

Supporting Children’s Mental Health through Trauma Informed Practice
2024-03-21 10:00 - 11:00
or 7:00 – 8:00pm

This free webinar supports school-age childcare practitioners to promote children’s positive mental health and well-being. This session will help those working with children of school age to incorporate play as a tool to improve not only children’s mental health and well-being, but yours too!

Facilitated by Roberta Johnson, PlayBoard.

Book your place at https://PBSupportingChildrensMentalHealth210324.eventbrite.co.uk

If the event is fully booked please email roberta.johnson@playboard.co.uk in case of cancellations.

Archie's adventures in emotions
2024-03-19 19:00 - 20:30
and March 26 @ 7:00pm – 8:30pm (attendance at both sessions required)

It is well documented that emotional intelligence can be a strong predictor of success in relationships, academic achievement, health and quality of life. Children with higher levels of emotional intelligence are more likely to pay attention and be more engaged in school, and they are also shown to have greater ability to regulate their emotions more effectively. This free webinar for School-Age Childcare providers will provide practitioners with strategies to help the children they work with explore their emotions and learn fun ways to help self-regulation.

Participants will receive a free resource to support learning (one per setting).

Facilitated by Roberta Johnson, PlayBoard.

This training takes place across two sessions. To book your place on both sessions go to https://pbArchiesAdventures0324.eventbrite.co.uk

If the event is fully booked please email roberta.johnson@playboard.co.uk in case of cancellations.

Reviewing recruitment documentation and the induction process
2024-03-13 10:00 - 12:00
This free webinar is aimed at those involved in the recruitment and management of staff in day care or afterschool clubs.

The session will cover an analysis of what the individual recruitment needs of a setting may be, consider job descriptions and personal specifications, and offer tips for enticing new applicants. The importance of getting the right people at the recruitment stage will be discussed along with essential communication through the induction process to make new staff feel valued and excited to work in your setting.

Facilitated by Ciara McKenna, PlayBoard.

To book your place go to https://pbreviewingrecruitment130324.eventbrite.co.uk
