Nursery World - Distinctive play

I read with outrage and frustration 'Quality of playwork training under fire' (News, 7 July). Just who does Phillip Smith think he is and where has he been for the last seven years while the rest of us have been actively involved in developing the Playwork Principles, the National Occupational Standards and revising and developing appropriate qualifications for the field?

Just who does Phillip Smith think he is and where has he been for the last seven years while the rest of us have been actively involved in developing the Playwork Principles, the National Occupational Standards and revising and developing appropriate qualifications for the field?

He says the qualifications are very weak and draws particular attention to aspects of child and adolescent development. He further comments that the level required to pass them is low. A Level 2 and Level 3 qualification in playwork must reflect the same Level 2 and Level 3 standards expected elsewhere.

As for the qualification being weak, perhaps Mr Smith should be employing better playwork trainers. It is unfortunate that awarding bodies cannot dictate or regulate who delivers the training, but a playwork qualification delivered by an early years expert, or indeed delivered by a playworker and playwork trainer, whose only experience of playwork is in an after-school club or holiday play scheme, is not sufficient.

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