Nursery World - Work has been done on play

By Paul Bonel, playwork development manager at the National Training Organisation for Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations (SPRITO) Recently Anne Longfield of Kids' Clubs Network said she wanted a new qualification for after-school club workers. What for? We have National Vocational Standards for Playwork that underpin the S/NVQs and all other qualifications for Playwork on the National Qualifications Framework. SPRITO is also going through its system of councils endorsing playwork training against criteria that also includes the National Occupational Standards. We are actively involved in working to make the picture clearer for employers and practitioners and ensuring quality and consistency for all training and qualifications. Introducing a completely new qualification at this point will only lead to confusion and division.

We are actively involved in working to make the picture clearer for employers and practitioners and ensuring quality and consistency for all training and qualifications. Introducing a completely new qualification at this point will only lead to confusion and division.

However, the National Occupational Standards are not static. Both Level 2 and 3 have been reviewed once, and Level 2 is about to be reviewed again. If they fall short in some areas, it is up to the sector to be involved in the review process and propose new or amended standards. To suggest devising a whole new qualification because one or two areas perhaps aren't currently covered doesn't make any sense at all.

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