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:
Celebration Event To Mark Play Matters Project
The importance of play for children’s health and well-being has been highlighted at an event to mark the success of the Play Matters project. The Play Matters initiative, which is funded through the Delivering Social Change - Early Intervention [...]
Job – Playworker
PlayBoard is the leading agency for the promotion, development and delivery of play in Northern Ireland. This vibrant organisation is at the forefront of shaping the future of children and young peoples play opportunities and experiences. Job Role: Playworker [...]
Play Matters Celebratory Event
The Department of Education are holding a Play Matters Celebratory Event on Tuesday 10 September, from 9.30am – 1.00pm at the Clandeboye Estate, Bangor. The event will highlight the importance of play and leisure for children’s health and well-being [...]
School Age Childcare Forum
Following on from our meetings last year, we are offering an opportunity for those involved in School Age Childcare and Playwork to get together and look at some of the issues that impact on our capacity to deliver on [...]
Supporting Parents To Become Play Models
Parents can play a significant role in promoting children’s play, acting as ‘play models’ for their children. The Play for Parents programme, an element of the Department of Education’s Play Matters project has aimed to support groups of [...]