Bridge to Management - School Age Childcare Settings
2023-09-12 18:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London)
Location: Online.

PlayBoard training with Childcare Partnerships.

A number of settings are currently struggling to recruit a Leader and/or Deputy Leader’s post. As an interim measure, your local Trust may permit another member of staff (usually qualified at QCF Level 3) to act up in the role temporarily. This training will provide information on the key management aspects of that role to help those Level 3 staff fulfil the duties of a Leader/Deputy more effectively.

This training is also available to anyone currently qualified at Level 3 who may be considering undertaking Level 5 in the near future.

The training takes place across three sessions (12, 19, 26 September) – you are advised to attend all three sessions.

For further information and to book go to https://ccptraining.hscni.net/Courses/Details/193

Physical Play, Health & Well-being
2023-09-12 18:45 - 21:45
Location: Online.

PlayBoard training with Childcare Partnerships.

This session is targeted at childcare providers who wish to incorporate physical play when supporting children and young people, and highlights the benefits to their health and well-being. Practitioners will develop an understanding of the importance of physical activity and the links with making healthy choices in relation to food and activity.

For further information and to book go to https://ccptraining.hscni.net/Courses/Details/116

Physical Play, Health & Well-being
2023-09-19 09:30 - 12:30
Location: South Lakes Leisure Centre, Craigavon.

PlayBoard training with Childcare Partnerships.

This session is targeted at childcare providers who wish to incorporate physical play when supporting children and young people, and highlights the benefits to their health and well-being. Practitioners will develop an understanding of the importance of physical activity and the links with making healthy choices in relation to food and activity.

For further information and to book go to https://ccptraining.hscni.net/Courses/Details/116

Financial assistance with childcare costs
2023-09-19 10:00 - 19:00
Join this webinar for childcare providers to find out about financial assistance available to parents, to help with childcare costs.

Delivered by Employers for Childcare, this webinar for childcare providers will focus on the financial assistance available to parents. Most working families are entitled to financial support with their registered childcare costs. Depending on circumstances, working parents could save up to 85% on registered childcare costs.

Join us on 19 September at 10:00 – 11:00am or 7:00 – 8:00pm.

Book your place at https://PBFinancialAssistanceChildcare190923.eventbrite.com

Resourcing the play: free and found
2023-09-26 18:30 - 21:30
Location: St Comgall’s Youth Centre, Antrim.

PlayBoard training with Childcare Partnerships.

This practical session for childcare providers will cover ‘loose parts’, the free and found resources that have little other value and cost, re-using materials for play and recognising the play value of objects.

Participants will gain a wealth of ideas on using these materials to support the play offered in settings across various types of play.

For further information and to book go to https://ccptraining.hscni.net/Courses/Details/215

Inspection process
2023-10-09 19:00 - 20:30
Two-part online webinar for childcare providers on 9 and 10 October at 7:00 – 8:30pm.

A detailed look at the Inspection process from start to finish including forms used before, during, and after the Inspection process, and how to complete them.

These sessions take an in-depth look at the Inspection process from the perspective of Minimum Standards. We will explore the forms you need to complete, and we’ll provide insight to the forms social worker inspectors use during the process.

These sessions would be extremely useful to anyone who is leading their setting through Inspection – whether your first inspection is coming up and you are new to the process or you have been through the process many times before but you’d like a greater insight to build your confidence on how best to be prepared ahead of the inspection visit.

This course is suitable for anyone involved in the Inspection process – from assistants to deputies, managers and those aspiring to become managers. Everyone has a part to play.

Delivered by Ciara McKenna, Development Officer, PlayBoard NI.

To book your place please email ciara.mckenna@playboard.co.uk including your name, current role, setting name and address.

Please note: This is a two-part webinar so your booking will reserve a place on both sessions. The total cost for both sessions is £30.00.

Effectively managing complaints
2023-11-06 19:00 - 20:00
Free online webinar for childcare settings.

Complaints arise when parents or other service users are unhappy with a particular aspect of the setting’s policy, procedures, etc.

Each setting should have a policy in place which ensures that all customer complaints are addressed in a consistent and fair manner.

The effective management of complaints helps to ensure that a potentially difficult situation is given a balanced approach where a reasonable outcome is achieved.

This session will look at complaints primarily from the perspective of Minimum Standards, Standard 16 – “Staff directly involved with the management and investigation of complaints are trained and supervised in the application of the complaints procedure.”

This free webinar is aimed at those who manage childcare settings who may have to deal with potential complaints from parents or other service users. It will explore why people complain; good practice responses to complaints; why a robust policy is important and what key elements it should contain and; how to manage difficult conversations within the complaint process.

Delivered by Ciara McKenna, PlayBoard NI.

PlayBoard NI's 38th Annual General Meeting
2023-11-22 10:00 - 11:30
PlayBoard members are invited to join us for our 38th Annual General Meeting taking place online on Wednesday 22 November.

The event will review PlayBoard’s continued work over the past year in leading the play agenda.

In the week we celebrate World Children’s Day, members will also hear from Fey Cole, Curriculum Manager: HSC & CCLD, South West College on the Art of Storytelling.

Fey has worked with children and young people for over 23 years. As an established author, Fey sees storytelling as a powerful tool for connection and bringing people together. In her session on the Art of Storytelling, Fey will share the importance of reading throughout childhood and adolescence and how books can engage us in playful interactions with peers.

Attendees will also get the opportunity to listen to a reading of our recently published children’s book, Archie’s Adventures in Emotions, and reflect on how the book and accompanying resources can be used as a catalyst for meaningful conversations with children about big emotions.

Download the Programme and AGM papers.

This event is free and open to PlayBoard members. To book your place please email info@playboard.org.

PlayBoard membership is free and open to all with an interest in play and our work. Sign up for free membership.

Christmas play ideas
2023-12-05 10:00 - 11:00
December 5 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Get ready to celebrate Christmas in your childcare setting.

Join our webinar for childcare providers on 5 December at 10:00am or 7:00pm.

As the Christmas season approaches, come along and discover some ideas to include in your play programme to help the children in your setting get ready for the magic of the season.

This session will share some new ideas to help childcare practitioners working with children of school age, provide fun activities for a playful Christmas within your after school programme.

The session will be delivered by Becca Smith and Maeve McLaughlin, PlayBoard.

Book your free place at https://PBChristmasPlayIdeas051223.eventbrite.co.uk

Managing staff in a childcare setting
2024-01-16 18:30 - 20:30
This webinar for childcare providers will explore a range of responsibilities and tasks involved in managing a staff team within a childcare setting. It will cover matters such as effective staff meetings, support and supervision, difficult conversations and performance management.

In a childcare setting, your staff team are your greatest asset. How those staff members are managed determines not only how effective they are but how happy they are in their role. In leading your team, communication is key. This webinar will cover some of the tools available to managers and team leaders to help them understand their role better and enhance their management skillset.

Delivered by Ciara McKenna, Development Officer, PlayBoard NI.

To book your place please email ciara.mckenna@playboard.co.uk including your name, setting name and postcode by 15 January at 2:00pm.

The cost for the webinar is £20.00.

If you book a place and are unable to attend, please let us know by emailing ciara.mckenna@playboard.co.uk so your place can be reallocated.

Financial assistance with childcare costs
2024-01-31 10:00 - 11:00
Join this webinar for childcare providers to find out about financial assistance available to parents, to help with childcare costs.

Delivered by Employers for Childcare, this webinar for childcare providers will focus on the financial assistance available to parents. Most working families are entitled to financial support with their registered childcare costs. Depending on circumstances, working parents could save up to 85% on registered childcare costs.

Join us on 31 January 2024 at 10:00 – 11:00am or 7:00 – 8:00pm.

Book your place at https://PBFinancialAssistanceChildcare310124.eventbrite.com

Too cool for After School
2024-02-22 10:00 - 11:00
or 7:00 – 8:00pm.

Are you finding it challenging to engage older children (8-11 year olds) in your School-Aged Childcare setting? Are their play needs so very different from the younger child? How do we keep them engaged? How do we attract new children who are in this age range?

If you would like to find out how best to engage with older children in your after school club, come along to our FREE webinar for School-Age Childare providers on 22 February at 10am or 7pm.

Book your place at https://PBTooCoolAfterschool220224.eventbrite.co.uk

Older children play too!
2024-02-28 19:00 - 20:30
This webinar will focus on building your understanding of the older child’s need to play. The session will discuss strategies and opportunities practitioners already utilise to engage with the older child.

Date: Wednesday 28 February, 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Cost: €25 per service (max 5 participants).

Facilitator: Michelle McGee – Play Development Officer for School Age Childcare (PlayBoard & NCN)

This webinar is organised by National Childhood Network. To book go to https://ncn.ie/events/older-children-play-too-sac

UK Play Safety Forum: Benefit-risk and the new ISO
2024-02-29 13:00 - 16:00
This free webinar will help play and leisure professionals understand and use a ground-breaking new international standard on risk management in sports and recreational facilities, activities, and equipment (including children’s play).

The standard (ISO 4980:2023) marks a welcome shift to a balanced, thoughtful approach to safety in play and leisure contexts. It draws on the expertise of leading UK and global play safety advocates and is in tune with the Health and Safety Executive position on children’s play, as set out in its 2012 high level statement.

The webinar, organised by the UK Play Safety Forum and hosted by Play Scotland, brings together key UK experts to introduce the ISO and why it matters. Crucially, it will help you put this new standard into practice, ensuring that the benefits of play and leisure activities (to participants and to society) are properly recognised, and that the risks are managed in a proportionate way.

Speakers: David J Ball, Tim Gill, Harry Harbottle, Andy Yates.

For further information and to book go to https://billetto.co.uk/e/uk-play-safety-forum-benefit-risk-and-the-new-iso-free-online-webinar-tickets-928972

PlayBoard is a member of the Play Safety Forum. For information visit https://playsafetyforum.wordpress.com/

Shaping the future of voluntary youth work
2024-03-06 18:00 - 20:00
A series of workshops with the youth sector is being held across Northern Ireland. The purpose of these workshops is to help develop a shared vision for the voluntary youth work sector. The six regional workshops organised in partnership with a committee from across the youth work and play sector, will take place during March 2024.

The voluntary youth work sector in Northern Ireland has faced many challenges over the past decade, leading to a sense of fragmentation, fragility, and a lack of cohesion. This is a pivotal moment to come together and shape the future of youth work.

Your stories and insights will help shape an evidence-based research report providing an accurate snapshot of the current state of voluntary youth work in Northern Ireland and outlining the needs for the future. This is your chance to be heard and contribute to important conversations about the road ahead for voluntary youth work here.

Workshops:

Belfast – 6 March, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Derry/Londonderry – 7 March, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Lurgan – 13 March, 7:15 – 9:15pm

Omagh – 19 March, 11:00am – 1:00pm

Ballymena – 20 March, 7:00 – 9:00pm

Newry – 26 March, 11:00am – 1:00pm

For further information and to register for a workshop visit NICVA’s website at https://www.nicva.org/article/join-the-conversation-on-the-future-sustainability-of-voluntary-youth-work-in-northern-0

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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
2024-09-25 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.

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

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

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.

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
