Nursery World - Casestudy: Let's play

Pam Beal, from the Oxfordshire Childcare Development Team, helped pilot three inclusive Let's Play schemes last summer, together with the Oxfordshire Community Project. The aim was to fill the gap in leisure provision for children with special needs in North Oxfordshire, especially in the summer holidays. The Cherwell Special Needs Task Group, a multi-agency committee that includes parent representatives, obtained extra funding from various organisations for the scheme. 'We wanted high-quality schemes, with good provision,' says Pam. 'Evaluations have been very positive, everyone has been enthusiastic.'

'We wanted high-quality schemes, with good provision,' says Pam. 'Evaluations have been very positive, everyone has been enthusiastic.'

The recruitment of inclusion playworkers with special responsibility for disabled children took up a lot of the focus at the start. 'It wasn't easy,' says Pam, 'but we managed to get six good, experienced playworkers by advertising through an article in the local press, contacting local colleges and through Social Services. Once recruited, training days were put together. The group Dynamix was excellent for play training on inclusion, with practical games and new ideas. There were also courses given by Social Services on handling and procedures.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included