Independent playwork consultant Marc Armitage sums up this field by saying - 'Playwork is a highly skilled profession that enriches and enhances children's play. It takes place where adults support children's play but it is not driven by prescribed education or care outcomes.'
The playwork profession has its roots in the 1950s when a number of unconnected community play projects and adventure playgrounds sprang up around the country. By the early 1980s, provision began to snowball with open-access holiday play schemes, adventure playgrounds, double decker play buses, after-school clubs, play resource centres and equipment loan services. Across the country, groups began networking and this led to the development of the profession we recognise today.
Recently, the benefits of outdoor and nature play have been promoted by organisations such as Forest Schools and Play England. Nature play is about children exploring and enjoying the natural environment through their freely chosen play. As well as playing outdoors and discovering green spaces, nature play can include planting and growing vegetables and flowers, cooking outdoors, playing with the elements or making camps and dens with natural materials.
Play England has been awarded £500,000 for the Exploring Nature Play project, helping children to explore and become more aware of nature around them and the opportunities for play and enjoyment it provides.
Playworkers create opportunities and places where children and young people aged four to 14 can play freely and with confidence. They ensure the play space is inclusive and support all children to make the most of the opportunities available in their own way. Sometimes they work with children who have been excluded from using other services.
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
SkillsActive is an independent, employer-led, UK-wide organisation licensed by the Government to create a framework of qualifications, training and continuous professional development based on industry requirements and standards.
CACHE, City and Guilds and Pearson all offer a number of playwork qualifications that provide in-depth information about the role of the Level 3 playworker and an understanding of the management of play environments and line management of other staff. The Level 3 Award in Induction to Playwork (QCF) and Level 3 Certificate in Playwork (QCF) are knowledge based with a limited amount of practical application.
The Level 3 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ/QCF) covers the knowledge and skills needed when working unsupervised and is also a must-have for all those undertaking the Level 3 Playwork Apprenticeship.
Universities such as Leeds Metropolitan offer the full-time BA (Hons) Playwork. Entry requirements for 2013 are 240 UCAS points, English Language and Maths GCSE grade C or above. Candidates need experience of working with children in a playwork or childcare environment.
Play England has a number of training packages and seminars designed to educate and empower those whose work affects the lives of children and young people in considering, promoting and planning for play. It also designs bespoke training packages to help develop spaces and strategies.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Lessons of History: The Power of Taking Control Marc Armitage, http://marc-armitage.eu/ upload/documents/Papers/Armitage,%20Marc/ Lessons-of-history-the-power-of-taking-control-2011.pdf
CASE STUDY: INGRID WILKINSON
Ingrid Wilkinson is currently involved in supporting Play England's Exploring Nature play team and working alongside play organisations and adventure playgrounds to increase the number of volunteers supporting children's play across the country. She has been in the post for three years, firstly as a senior development officer and more recently as a nature play volunteer co-ordinator.
Prior to this, Ms Wilkinson delivered Active Play in Early Years training for nurseries and children's centres and offered support to schools, volunteer co-ordinators and local authorities to improve children's freedom to play.
'I work remotely, making daily contact via email with the Play England team and have weekly teleconferences and meetings at the head office approximately every six to eight weeks,' she says.
'Recently, while working at Riverside Nursery as an early years professional student, I was asked to evaluate present practice and develop play both indoors and outside. I carried out a full play audit across the nursery and worked with the staff to improve practice and play opportunities.
'Not everyone understands the benefits that investing in play can bring. Improving play opportunities and providing stimulating environments is invaluable and can be achieved for next to nothing.'
Ms Wilkinson is qualified with a BA Children, Play and Playwork and Advice, Guidance and Counselling, PCCET Post Comp Cert in Education and Training. She has recently qualified as an Early Years Professional.
