SPRITO communications officer Julia Richards writes: A new qualification that recognises extensive practical playwork and early years experience is on the way. Following the introduction of the National Care Standards, it has become necessary for those who are running playsettings to gain level 3 qualifications. With this in mind, SPRITO, the government-funded playwork training organisation, has been working with early years organisations to develop a process that recognises what level 3 workers already know and do. The project, funded by the Department of Education and Skills (DfES), has applied the concept of APEL - the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning - to two qualifications, one for playwork and one for early years.
SPRITO communications officer Julia Richards writes: A new qualification that recognises extensive practical playwork and early years experience is on the way. Following the introduction of the National Care Standards, it has become necessary for those who are running playsettings to gain level 3 qualifications. With this in mind, SPRITO, the government-funded playwork training organisation, has been working with early years organisations to develop a process that recognises what level 3 workers already know and do.
The project, funded by the Department of Education and Skills (DfES), has applied the concept of APEL - the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning - to two qualifications, one for playwork and one for early years.
Eligible candidates have to be over 25 years old and have sufficient relevant employment experience, calculated using a set formula. The process has been successfully piloted in both sectors.
To gain the APEL qualification, playworkers will need to complete a 'slim portfolio' with information about their work experience, detailed answers to set questions, and references obtained from employers. This is then assessed by an expert panel who decide whether or not the candidate has sufficient knowledge and understanding of the work they have been doing.
Candidates will be scored and either awarded the qualification, offered a chance to resubmit or recommended to seek an alternative route to qualification depending on their score.
Following a successful pilot, negotiations are now underway with a number of awarding bodies interested in offering the qualification. Keep an eye on the SPRITO Playwork Unit website www.playwork.org.ukfor up to date information.
