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:
Meeting The Childcare Needs Of Families Throughout Covid-19
Childcare has been a critical issue throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Read the latest advice for parents and childcare providers 29/06/20 on the Family Support NI website at www.familysupportni.gov.uk/NewsStory/111/latest-advice-for-parents-and-childcare-providers-29-june-2020 Read the information briefing 26/06/20 which includes details on where to [...]
Taking Outdoor Play Seriously – Webinar!
** FULLY BOOKED ** Play, the Curriculum and Practical based learning. Returning to school in September 2020 will be a time of change for everyone involved; school staff, school communities and most importantly for school children. [...]
Childcare Recovery Plan And Education Restart FAQs Available Online
The Department of Education has today (24 June) published information on the childcare recovery plan and Education Restart programme which will align to form the basis for the return to school in August. The information, which is published on [...]
Children And Young People Survey – Impact Of Covid-19
Calling all children and young people aged 5-18 across Northern Ireland - your voice matters! At PlayBoard we know how important play is to children. We also know that Covid-19 has turned our world upside down. We want to [...]
Education Minister Announces Publication Of Childcare Recovery Plan
Education Minister Peter Weir has today announced the publication of a Childcare Sector Recovery plan. The plan, published by the Executive, aims to restore the childcare sector to pre-Covid-19 capacity levels as quickly as possible. The plan will ensure [...]
