Playwork

Courses developed and delivered by playwork practitioners to support theory and practice in a range of playwork settings.

Playwork - Principles into Practice

This course enables playworkers to develop their playwork practice in line with the Playwork Principles and to meet the requirements for playworkers under the EYFS. This is a two day course with approximately six weeks in between day 1 and day 2, during which the participants will carry out some reflective practice in their settings in the light of the content of the course on day 1.

Playful Adults, Playful Children

Why is play important for children - and how can we explain this to other people?

How can we do to make sure that we are providing really good play in our settings?

Playful Adults, Playful Children enables adults who work in supervised settings to develop their skills and knowledge in the five key areas of play facilitation. This course also explanations of how brain development can be affected and supported by play and playful adults.

Playwork Basics

A three day induction course for playworkers, covering play and playwork, health & safety, anti-discriminatory practice and 'behaviour'. This course is nationally recognised, having been endorsed by SkillsActive.

Relevant publications - The 'Buskers Guide' series

Playwork Basics Plus (Playwork Induction Standard Level 2)

The course that playscheme workers need to satisfy OFSTED 'acceptable briefing' requirements! Successful participants achieve three nationally recognised certificates - Playwork Basics (see above), Introduction to Child Protection and the Playwork Induction Standard.

Relevant publications - The 'Buskers Guide' series

I found the content of the course to be very relevant and applicable to our settings. In particular, the concept of facilitating play rather than leading activities had a big impact on the Play Workers. The course certainly helped the Play Workers to allow the play cycle to occur more freely. The most significant improvement on the holiday courses has been in the behaviour of the children. The Play Workers are now giving the children more choice in how they spend their day (within reason) and hence they are taking ownership of the activities.

Playwork Plus - endorsed training for playleaders at Playwork Induction Standard Level 3

At last - playscheme leaders no longer have to achieve a full Level 3 qualification!

Playwork Plus, a new Playwork Induction Standard course for Level 3 playscheme leaders, which has been initially endorsed by SkillsActive, is now available. This new course enables those responsible for running holiday playschemes to achieve a Level 3 standard which is accepted by OFSTED as 'acceptable briefing' under the Daycare Standards.

Common Threads has been part of the SkillsActive expert group which has put together the standards and Playwork Plus was piloted in Summer 2007 in several local authorities in England.

Playwork Plus can also be delivered and certificated as a 'stand alone' course to support underpinning knowledge for a full Level 3 qualification for those who are working in playwork settings all year round - why not come on our T2T course to learn how you can deliver it in your area? Or contact us to find out how we can deliver it for you.

Relevant publications - The 'Buskers Guide' series, The Playworker's Taxonomy of Play Types, The Play Cycle - an introduction to psycholudics, Essential Skills for Managers of Child-Centred Settings

Playtime!

(one day training course)
For anybody in a leadership, management or support role who wants to improve playtimes in schools. The course focuses on the key success factors of the Playtime! project and enables participants to explore practical solutions to meet their schools' needs.

Playtime! Practicals

(10 hour training course)
Specifically for lunchtime supervisors, this course can be delivered flexibly and enables participants to develop key skills in providing great playtimes. Topics covered include; play and playwork skills, play and behaviour, risk assessment, providing play equipment and reflective practice.

We can deliver these courses 'in-house' or train suitably experienced trainers to run these courses as part of our T2T (training to trainer) programme.

For more information on the Playtime! project take a look at our new website www.playinschools.org.uk. Relevant publications - Playtime! and Play At School