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:
PlayBoard Welcomes Reopening Of Play Parks
PlayBoard NI, the lead agency for play in Northern Ireland has welcomed the NI Executive’s decision to allow the reopening of Play Parks from 10 July as part of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Welcoming the reopenings, PlayBoard Chief [...]
Ardoyne Afterschools Club – Helping Families In Their Time Of Need
‘It is the aim of the Ardoyne Afterschools Club to provide quality, registered childcare in afterschools hours for children ages 4-15, and to provide play opportunities aimed at meeting their social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional developmental needs, thus [...]
Covid-19: Guidance On The Use Of Re-Opened Play Parks
The NI Executive have announced that all outdoor playgrounds can re-open from 10 July 2020. With a view to reducing levels of risk parents and children visiting playgrounds are asked to adhere to the following: 1. Closed [...]
Covid-19 And Planning For Summer Play – Webinar
Date: 10 July Time: 11:15am – 12:15pm Platform: Zoom As the Childcare Sector begins to emerge from the impact of lockdown, in order to maintain safe play spaces for our children certain restrictions have been put in place. Normally, [...]
Supporting Children With Additional Needs Through Play
Play is incredibly valuable for all children, it allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength. PlayBoard’s new publication Supporting children with additional needs through play includes play ideas suitable [...]