PlayBoard provide tailored support programmes to School Aged Childcare providers based on their needs that builds their capacity to meet the minimum standards required for their service.
The support offered to groups frequently covers the following areas;
Compliance to the minimum standards, thereby helping groups address issues arising from previous Social Services Inspections, or help prepare for up and coming Inspections
Sharing of resources relating to both the running of the business and the provision of quality play opportunities for children
Relevant bespoke training in the Playwork approach; in staffing issues; or in working with parents.
PlayBoard’s programme is supported by the local Childcare Partnerships and groups are referred by Social Services, but any group can buy in our services.
A Commitment To Quality
For children, play and childcare services provide them with space to play freely with friends, to relax and to participate in a wide range of activities if they wish to do so. Parents will benefit from School Age Childcare services that have been assessed and recognised as providing a quality provision. The peace of mind they receive from knowing their child is being cared for in a safe, stimulating and welcoming environment is immeasurable.
PlayBoard’s Pathways to Excellence resource is currently under review as we align the resource to Minimum Standards for Childminding and Daycare. Our new toolkit will set out clear and defined standards of quality for all aspects of School Age Childcare services; including legislative requirements as identified in Minimum Standards – Quality of Care; Quality of Staffing, Management & Leadership; Quality of the Physical Environment; Quality of Monitoring & Evaluation and Policies and Procedures. The resource will support practitioner self-evaluation and critical reflection.
The aim of “Pathways to Excellence” is to create and maintain an infrastructure of quality in School Age Childcare that ensures the holistic, healthy development of children, taking account of the varied, highly complex and multifaceted play needs of children.
It is anticipated the scheme will greatly assist ongoing registration and inspection processes and support best practice in play based School Age Childcare settings.
Latest Quality Improvement Programme News:
Seeking The Views Of Nursery And Foundation Stage Leaders And Teachers
PlayBoard NI in partnership with The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) and Stranmillis University College, is seeking the views of practitioners in relation to the impact of the pandemic on play in practice. We are interested in hearing from [...]
PlayBoard Welcomes Launch Of Children & Young People’s Strategy 2020-2030
Education Minister, Peter Weir, has launched the Northern Ireland Executive’s Children and Young People’s Strategy 2020-2030 for Northern Ireland. The strategy is the strategic framework through which departments will work together to improve the well-being of all children and [...]
Mental Health At Work Webinar
*POSTPONED* UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS WEBINAR HAS BEEN POSTPONED. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED. Date: Tuesday 26 January Time: 10.00 - 11:00am or 7:00 - 8:00pm Platform: Zoom Due to the [...]
Survey For School Age Childcare Providers – Review Of The Impact Of Covid-19 Restrictions (January 2021)
As you will be aware, a new wave of restrictions have been announced by the NI Executive aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19. With a view to guiding government actions over the coming weeks we are keen to [...]
Meeting The Childcare Needs Of Families Throughout Covid-19
Childcare has been a critical issue throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Keep up to date with developments at the www.familysupportni.gov.uk information hub on childcare which includes the latest advice and guidance for childcare providers and parents. Read Information [...]