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:
Independent Chairperson recruitment
PlayBoard is seeking applications from forward thinking individuals to undertake the role of Chairperson of PlayBoard’s Board of Directors. The position of Chairperson offers a rewarding experience and the opportunity to make an important contribution to the children and young [...]
Job opportunity – Research Officer
Job Role: Policy & Research Salary: (£26,999 - £28,785) under review Hours per week: 35.00 Closing date: Friday 3 September 2021 at 2:00pm PlayBoard is the leading agency for the promotion, development and delivery of play in Northern Ireland. This vibrant organisation is [...]
The Play Pod – PlayBoard’s new podcast
We are delighted to share our new podcast - The Play Pod. Listen now by clicking the link below: Find us on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. If there are any topics you would like us to discuss in future [...]
State of the Sector (School Age Childcare) Survey 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on School Age Childcare (SAC). It has brought financial pressures, changes to practice, and additional stress to the workforce. To ensure we have a better understanding of both the opportunities and challenges for School [...]
Youth settings survey
Play Your Part is a one-year pilot project led by PlayBoard and funded by the Education Authority. The project aims to support youth groups to embed a culture of effective participation and practice with children aged four to eight years. [...]
