Below is a list of important diary dates happening within the play sector. It would be very wise indeed to check any details before making firm plans as we are only as good as the information supplied to us! If you wish to add to or amend this list then please contact us.

2008

13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 October

Paris, France

The theme of this conference is 'Toys and Games in Toy Libraries' and is hosted by the Association des Ludotheques Francaises.

W: www.itla-toylibraries.org

14 October

London

East London Play Conference

Brings together national and local playworkers and leading thinkers to explore our understanding of play and the craft of the playworker. Open to anyone whose work involves children and young people whether directly through adventure playgrounds, play centres or schools to those involved in the wider area of children's lives, in health, housing, social services and community organisations - in fact anyone who is interested in play as an essential part of a healthy childhood and society. The keynote address, given by Bob Hughes, and the workshops that follow, have a strong local focus with information and learning that can be translated to any area of work or setting involving play. Also includes launch of the new book: Foundations of Playwork (eds Fraser Brown & Chris Taylor).

W: www.playtowerhamlets.org.uk

14 October

London

Children's Centres and Extended Schools: At the heart of the community.

Organised by 4Children, the conference will look at how extended schools and children's centres meet their potential and deliver truly integrated, dynamic services for children, young people and families.

W: www.4children.org.uk

15 October

Beeston, Leeds

Leeds Play Network AGM

An opportunity to come and see their new premises, meet the Leeds Play Network and others from across the play sector. Also includes launch of the new book: Foundations of Playwork (eds Fraser Brown & Chris Taylor).

W: www.leedsplaynetwork.org.uk

October and November

Various locations

Quality Inclusion in Play and Childcare

This Autumn, PIP Network Seminars will focus on quality in play and childcare. The PIP Seminars will be presented in partnership with KIDS associate trainers and with regional organisations working in play and childcare. They will explore what is happening nationally in workforce learning and development and the funding available; approaches to improving quality in your setting; an opportunity for you to use "All of Us - the framework for quality inclusion" and apply it to your setting and an opportunity for you to experience a taster of the new  training. The day will offer anyone working towards quality inclusion in their setting the opportunity to network and share their experiences; showcase examples of good practice and to exchange advice and guidance.

Seminar dates and locations:
East Midlands - Derby - Friday 17 October
North West - Stockport - Monday 20 October
South East - Portsmouth - Thursday 13 November
Eastern England  - Norfolk (14 November - tbc)
London - Barnet - Wednesday 19 November
Yorks/Humber - North Lincolnshire (25 November - tbc)
South West - Trowbridge - Wednesday 26 November
North East - Newcastle (tbc)
West Midlands - tbc

W: www.kids.org.uk

24 October

Wyvis Street Community Centre, London

Designing Play Spaces: Workshop and Site Visit

A unique opportunity to look at the theory and practice involved in delivering better play areas and child-friendly public space. The workshop will draw on the lastest thinking on designing for play and managing risk in play provision. Part of the day will include site visits to Wyvis Street Play Space and Langdon Park - both featured in Design for Play: A guide to creating successful play spaces, published by Play England - and the opportunity to put your questions to those involved in the design process.

W: www.freeplaynetwork.org.uk

3, 4 and 5 November

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Child in the City

The conference will discuss the theme of childfriendliness on a small scale: the Child friendly communities. Children can have an overview of this scale, which moreover enables a co-operation between a variety of partners which is easier to realise than on the level of the municipality. The second theme will offer an answer to a question that has been asked several times at the former conferences: when can a city be called a child friendly city, or what are the Points of Reference for Child Friendly Cities?

W: www.childinthecity.com

6 November

Postgraduate Centre, City Hospital, Birmingham

Just Empty Words? Or Real Support in pre-school and early years provision

Facilitated by Peter Limbrick, this seminar will explore the phrases - 'Family-Centred', Child-Centred', 'Needs-Led' and 'Flexible'. Are they empty words, meaningless aspirations and jargon? or Do they bring real opportunities to disabled children and their families?

W: www.icwhatsnew.com

14 and 15 November

Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli

12th Conference & Annual General Meeting

Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association (Wales PPA) exists to enhance the development, care and education of pre-school children in Wales, by encouraging parents to understand and provide for their needs through high quality pre-school groups. To give adults confidence to make the best use of their knowledge and resources, for the benefit of themselves and pre-school children. They are expecting around 250 delegates over the two days with the opportunity to hear some very inspiring Speakers and attend a variety of Workshops.

W: www.walesppa.org

18 November

Park Inn Cardiff City Centre

Team Around the Child (TAC) in early support and beyond

For people who are new to TAC and for those who want to refine their TAC practice, this seminar will give a comprehensive account of TAC from philosophy to practice and from new babies to transition into school. Delegates will see that TAC goes beyond care co-ordination to close collaborative teamwork for children who need ongoing multiple interventions and their families.

W: www.icwhatsnew.com

18 November

University of East London (Docklands Campus)

Movement, Play and Emotional Relation as a Foundation for Learning

The Alliance for Childhood is joining with the University of East London to host a day conference looking at the role that movement, play and emotional relationships have in establishing the capacities that children need as a sound basis for learning. Modern childhood places restrictions on opportunities for movement and creates problems. Increasingly the value of learning through outdoor play is appreciated and and teachers realise that it is relationships within education which are an important factor in the quality of learning. These themes will be elaborated by contributers, speaking out of a wealth of experience and understanding, allowing time for discussion.

W: www.allianceforchildhood.org.uk

19 and 20 November (please note new date - was 26 September)

Ayr Racecourse, Ayr

Play Scotland Annual Conference

Join their 10th Anniversary year celebration at this conference looking at a range of topics including: Play Types, Play Rangers, Play in Scotland, Fire Play, Outdoor Play and how children can do their own risk assessments. In addition to a great opportunity to hear from the Key Note Speaker; Bob Hughes, Author & Play Academic, delegates will be able to participate in 3 exciting hands-on workshops.

W: www.playscotland.org and download pdf booking form/flyer here.

20 November

St Albans Centre, London EC1

Playing Out: outdoor places = playable spaces?

London Play's annual conference and AGM will include speakers and workshops with views on the shrinking outdoors; park play - going to the dogs? and opening up school grounds for play. Keynote speaker Carl Honore - author of Under Pressure - a book on childhood and hyper-parenting. Panel discussion on the shrinking outdoors including Tim Gill - author of No Fear: Growing up in a risk averse society Choice of 4 dynamic workshops each focusing on different concerns around children's access to playing out.

W: www.londonplay.org.uk

2009 

3 and 4 March

Eastbourne

Playwork Conference

The Birmingham Playwork Conference (now in Eastbourne) incorporating the NVQ/SVQ Conference will include round table debates, presentations, practical experiences of playwork in action and over 40 workshops on all aspects of qualification, development, implementation and delivery.

E: email for more details

14 March

Chertsey, Surrey

Spirit of Play 2009

SkillsActive Playwork South East's annual playworker conference, with speakers, exhibitors and a wide range of workshops.

W: www.skillsactive.com

2011

4 to 8 July

Cardiff City Hall, Wales

International Play Association Conference: Promoting the Child's Right to Play

Congratulations to Play Wales who will be hosting this event. Keep an eye on both the Play Wales website and the IPA's for more information - and of course here!

W: www.ipaworld.org
W: www.playwales.org.uk
W: www.facebook.com