The Playwork Sector will join the NSA in 2009.

Everyone agrees that play is a crucial part of a child's life, providing the stage on which children act out their fears and joys, learn and develop socially and emotionally, and explore and expand their physical abilities.  However, as traffic and parental fears for safety have increased, children's opportunities to play with others have reduced.

Playworkers support play for school age children by providing the space, atmosphere and resources that enable children to engage in a wide range of play behaviours in settings that include after-school clubs, holiday play schemes, adventure playgrounds, parks, play buses and breakfast clubs.  The existence of staffed play provision can reassure parents that their child is safe, while allowing children to absorb themselves in undisturbed play and to undertake challenges not otherwise available to them.

Some settings offer open access provision where children can arrive and leave unaccompanied, some provide registration in and out of the setting and some will incorporate both for different age ranges. Many of these settings will be subject to standards and regulations and, as a result, are required to employ skilled and qualified playworkers.

Playwork contains a high proportion of volunteers and part-time workers, and brings its own unique skills and training needs. SkillsActive is working hard with the sector to ensure that playworkers are trained to the highest standards, and that their training is recognised across the industry. 

The NSA for playwork will provide a one stop shop for employers and playworkers by bringing together training providers who offer the best quality service with funders who can give support for training delivery.  The online academy will offer playworkers the chance to easily access information on a range of training opportunities, news and events in the sector, as well as useful guidance on qualifications and careers.

Playwork qualifications and training will be offered through the academy from September 2009, so bookmark this site now and watch this space!

For more info on Playwork, see http://www.skillsactive.com/playwork