Author Archives: nikki

We are continually looking at ways to continue providing support and informaton for playworkers.  We are aiming to produce guidance booklets for a series of different subjects, the first of which are now ready and available to download direct from our website.

The first booklet  titled “Show me the money” is a finance guide useful for groups running their own finance function in-house, follow the link to access the full document.

The second booklet titled “Are you ready for paid staff” provides guidance for groups employing their own staff.  Follow the link to download the full document.

Both booklets can also be found in our useful documents section, under Out of School/Playscheme Tab.  Further booklets are being developed and should be available later in the year.

A review of early years and childcare qualifications entitled ‘Foundations for Quality’ by Professor Cathy Nutbrown was published on 19 June 2012.  The aim of the review is to make recommendations to raise the standard of early education and childcare through training the workforce to a higher level.  At present these are only recommendations and not guaranteed to be accepted by the Government. One of the most significant recommendations is a gradual move to Level Three for early years workers counting in staff: child ratios in group settings.  The timescale for these changes has been proposed as:

• A minimum of 50 per cent staff in group settings to hold a ‘full and relevant’ Level Three by September 2013 , rising to 70 per cent by 2015
•  All staff counting in ratios are qualified to minimum of Level Three by 2022

A summary of the recommendations can be found by  following this link   

The full report can be accessed by following this link