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:
Weir Announces Further Measures To Support Childcare Providers
Education Minister, Peter Weir today (17/02/21) announced an extension to the Covid-19 Childcare Temporary Closure fund for the period January to March 2021. The Covid-19 Childcare Temporary Closure Support Fund will provide continued support for childcare providers who have [...]
NICMA Play Dates
Funded via the Childcare Partnerships, PlayBoard NI is excited to be working with NICMA (Northern Ireland Childminding Association) to offer registered childminders the opportunity to avail of some free, online Play Dates. These six weekly interactive Play Dates are [...]
Planning For Play – Webinar For School Age Childcare Providers
Date: Wednesday 10 March Time: 10:00 – 11:00am or 7:00 – 8:00pm Platform: Zoom Children need to play! As Playworkers in a world which seems full of restrictions, we need to make sure that we are meeting our [...]
PlayBoard Connects
*CANCELLED* UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED. Date: Monday 22 March Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm Platform: Zoom If you work in School Age Childcare, PlayBoard's Bright Start team would like [...]
Guidance On Play And Recreation During COVID-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges for our society leading to the implementation of significant measures by government as they have sought to contain the spread of the virus and reduce the risk of contraction to individuals. [...]
