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:
Indoor Play Ideas And Activities
Play is both fun and educational and is essential for children’s well-being, helping them build resilience and cope with stress. Play allows children the opportunity to develop their creativity, learn new skills and make sense of the world around [...]
Covid-19 And Fixed Play Areas
Following approaches from a number of local councils PlayBoard have today issued the following guidance regarding public access to and use of fixed play areas during the current Covid-19 outbreak. At the outset it is important to state that [...]
PlayBoard Statement
Dear Project Providers, PlayBoard is aware of the increasing levels of concern and distress within the Childcare/School Age Childcare Sector in regard to the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation. We've been monitoring updates from the relevant authorities, including UK Government, NI [...]
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Top Up
Good news for those interested in further study post Level 5! Doncaster College offer a Level 6 BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies in Northern Ireland. The aim of the programme is to enable practitioners who have experience within the [...]
Mental Health And Technology Biggest Challenges For Parents
Parenting NI have shared the results from their Big Parenting Survey 2019 which surveyed 1,358 parents across Northern Ireland last year. The charity reports that the biggest challenges for parents are: Mental Health - [...]
