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, take 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:
King’s Park Primary School Takes Outdoor Play Seriously
King’s Park Primary School in Newtownabbey has achieved a quality award that recognises their outstanding outdoor play offer. The prestigious TOPS (Taking Outdoor Play Seriously) award conferred by PlayBoard NI, the lead organisation for play in Northern Ireland, is [...]
Discussing Why Play Matters At NVTV
Alan Herron, Director of Service Delivery & Development and Peter McCartney, Training Coordinator with PlayBoard NI called into the NVTV studios recently to discuss PlayBoard’s work. Take a look at the video to watch Alan and Peter discuss why [...]
Play Matters – Halloween Fun
As the nights draw in and we approach Halloween we’ve compiled a list of fun Halloween activities for children and young people to try. We are sometimes hesitant about spending time outdoors when the weather is cold and wet. [...]
Celebrating Parenting Week
Parenting Week takes places each year as a celebration of the crucial role parents play in their children’s lives. This year the campaign runs from 21 to 25 October. PlayBoard have produced a publication to help parents understand the [...]
Eco Play
At a time of increasing environmental awareness it is important that we all play our part in looking after the planet and consider the changes we can make to help protect the environment. To support providers PlayBoard NI is [...]