Job title: Play and learning co-ordinator
Employer: Sure Start Westgate Children's Centre, employed by Newcastle Play and Youth Service
Location: Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Duties
I started as special needs playworker in 2002 and progressed to play and learning co-ordinator this year. In this role I am responsible for the day-to-day management of Sure Start Westgate's play and learning activities, including the Peers Early Education Partnership (PEEP), family learning, early years play development, creche and arts projects.
Work at the centre extends beyond its walls and a large part of my job is also supporting speech and language therapy input into the local programme and library work.
In collaboration with the programme manager I secure the Sure Start programme's objectives and targets. Part of this process involves developing policies and strategies to implement the play and learning theme.
It is important that I work collaboratively with colleagues and other agencies to provide a range of learning opportunities for local residents which support the successful take-up of training and employment opportunities.
One of the things I enjoy about the job is that it is very much a joined-up role. I liaise with communities, agencies, partners and service providers to establish working groups, forums and other structures necessary to progress the play and learning theme and share best practice.
Likes/dislikes
I really enjoy the opportunities of working with a Sure Start local programme, which include working with other agencies and professionals.
Before I started here, the thought of being so involved with other professionals such as teachers and health workers would have horrified me! But now I can see the huge benefits that joined-up working brings in providing a holistic approach to working with children and their families.
Best achievement
During March and April 2004, in partnerships with the Sightlines Initiative, I developed the Floor Four Project, where we took over a big hall on the top floor of a local museum. This was open to different groups of children, including some from early years settings.
Floor Four's approach to children's learning combined play with hands-on experience of inspiring objects and environments that are accessible to all.
The project took 14 months of work to develop, from fundraising to design-build and appointing artists. It was a very hard and sometimes scary project to be on, but the first group of children to visit had such a wonderful time that it made all the hard work worth it. By the end of its six-week run we had had 5,000 visitors through the doors.
Training
* DipHE Playwork
* NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Playcare
* City & Guilds 7307: Teaching Adult Learners
* Developmental Movement Play Basic Skills course
* Multi-sensory work with Hirstwood Training Career path
I started off as a volunteer at a local youth club and then became assistant manager at an adventure playground in Gateshead. A variety of jobs followed, including childcare worker in an after-school club, manager of an integrated Saturday childcare scheme and youth worker with a special needs group. Before becoming a play and learning co-ordinater, I was special needs playworker at Sure Start Westgate.
Career progression
Currently I work under the programme manager and play and learning manager, who are accountable to the partnership board. In the future I see myself taking on further roles within the children's centre developments, hopefully in a developmental/managerial role, building on my commitment to creative work with children and families.
Advice
My advice to people who want to work in this area is not to be frightened of change and new developments, but to embrace them and see them as the opportunities they are. Only a few years ago most people saw the work as a bit strange or wacky, but now most settings in our area have taken on board the importance of allowing children autonomy, allowing them free choice and developing really exciting pieces of work with them around creativity, movement and sensory experiences - all, at last, backed up by Birth to Three Matters. Creativity and initiative are vital skills, as well as patience and understanding to help people move on.
Interests/hobbies
In my spare time I enjoy music, concerts and computers. I also enjoy spending time with my two dogs and tank full of giant African land snails.
Noa-5 Useful contacts
* The Sightlines Initiative supports early years creative thinking and practice www.sightlines-initiative.com
* Centre for the study of movement, learning and health www.jabadao.org
* Hirstwood Training www.multi-sensory-room.co.uk
* www.surestart-westgate.org.uk
* www.playwork. org.uk
* Fair Play for Children promotes action and understanding for play www.arunet.co.uk/ fairplay
* www.kidsactive. org.uk
