Speaking after the launch of the extended schools prospectus (News, 16 June), Mr Gill, play consultant and former director of the Children's Play Council, told Nursery World, 'If the Government wants to make a real difference to children and young people's lives with its extended schools initiative, it needs to put the right staff in place and focus on what they need and want.'
He said that the prospectus talks about 'educational-driven activities'
that revolve around sport, arts and culture, but there is 'little mention of play'.
'Whenever children and young people are asked what they want, the overwhelming response is to play and "hang out" with their friends. They need unstructured social time if they are to learn how to get along with people.'
Mr Gill also warned that there was a danger that the type of staff employed in extended schools would see children as 'objects to be managed rather than people to be nurtured'.
He said, 'What's needed is someone with the skills of an experienced and reflective playworker... who has the status and authority to approach teachers if they think a child has problems.'
Chris Martin, playwork policy programme manager at SkillsActive, said it was important that properly qualified playworkers staff the expansion of provision. But he warned, 'There is a national shortage of qualified playworkers, made worse by a lack of trainers and assessors. Ideally extended schools will be offering playworkers good pay and conditions as well as in service training and qualifications.'
Adrian Voce, director of the Children's Play Council, said that the absence of play in the extended schools prospectus core services section is a 'serious omission'. He said, 'We hope the DfES will rectify this and ensure play is included in further guides.'
