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:
The Northern Ireland Children’s Spare Time Project – Survey
PlayBoard NI, as part of the UK Play Policy Forum is working with Professor Helen Dodd from Reading University on a research project - The Northern Ireland Children's Spare Time Project. We are asking parents in Northern Ireland with a [...]
The Importance Of Play
During this worrying and uncertain time when we’re all experiencing many changes in our lives, it is important to remember that children still need time to play every day. Playing is an essential part of children’s lives helping them [...]
Approved Home Childcare Scheme For Key Workers
Health Minister Robin Swann has today published details of a new bespoke home childcare scheme to meet the childcare needs of keyworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister said: “I have been very clear in my message that staying [...]
PlayBoard Update To School Age Childcare Services
Over the weekend our CEO Jacqueline O’Loughlin, has been in consistent contact with various Departments of the NI Executive and can confirm that for now, School Age Childcare services are advised to remain open and continue a service to [...]
Letter From Health Minister To Childcare Sector
Please see letter below sent from the Minister of Health to the Childcare Sector: Dear Childcare Sector, The purpose of this letter is to provide an update on the Department's COVID-19 response plans, as [...]