Introduction
Do you fancy making Halloween masks with a group of ten-year-olds?
Supervising 20 children on an outing to a local museum? Or,
refereeing a friendly football match? If so, playworker may be just
the job for you. Playworkers manage out of school play
settings and holiday playschemes, where children between the ages
of four and sixteen come to play and mix with other children and
young people. These play schemes provide a safe environment for
children before and after school, and during school holidays.
Work Environment
Playwork schemes are usually held in adventure playgrounds, play
centres, community centres, school halls, or village halls. Some
play projects only operate during term time; others only operate
during school holidays. Some keep going all through the
year.
The working environment will, at times, be noisy and messy but
if you like being with children you will be used to that. The
work can be quite physical, getting equipment ready before the
children arrive, tidying everything away when they have gone home
and, of course, keeping up with them!
Daily Activities
Duties vary slightly, depending on the type of play project it is,
when and where it is held, and the ages of the children attending.
However, this type of work usually involves:
- talking to the children about how they would like to spend
their time;
- planning a stimulating programme of activities for children to
choose;
- welcoming children and their parents;
- setting ground rules and making sure that all the children are
aware of them;
- preparing the space before the children arrive - getting
materials, such as paper, paints, etc. ready; checking that all
play equipment is working properly and safely;
- coming up with ideas for special dates like Easter or Halloween
e.g. decorating eggs or organising a spooky fancy dress party;
- organising and participating in art and crafts, sports,
storytelling, team games, competitions, music, outdoor activities,
day trips etc.;
- encouraging all children to get involved with activities;
- supervising play and ensuring the safety and well being of all
the children;
- some cleaning and tidying away following activities;
- performing simple first aid, if necessary;
- supervising more junior playworkers;
- basic administration and control of petty cash.
Skills & Interests
Playworkers need:
- to like working with children;
- lots of energy and enthusiasm;
- patience and a caring nature;
- good organisational skills;
- lots of imagination;
- to be alert and observant;
- good communication skills;
- to work well as part of a team.
Entry Requirements
To enter as a playwork assistant you do not necessarily need any
academic qualifications, but some relevant experience, such as
voluntary work with children or bringing up a family is
advantageous and may be required. Some employers ask that
playworkers have relevant playwork qualifications, such as the
CACHE Certificate/Diploma, or the City and Guilds level 2 Award in
Early Years Care and Education, or NVQ/SVQ level 2/3 in Playwork or
Early Years Care and Education or Playwork. Apprenticeships
(part of the Skillseekers Initiative in Scotland) are available in
some areas. Once in employment you may be asked to work
towards relevant NVQs/SVQs (in Playwork at levels 2 and 3, and in
Playwork and Early Years Care and Development at level 4). NVQ
level 3/4 in Early Years Care and Education is currently considered
appropriate for those responsible for managing a team.
Higher level qualifications in playwork include the Diploma in
Higher Education (DipHE) in Playwork (two years full time) and the
BA (Hons) Professional Studies in Playwork. With the
introduction of the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care
and their regulation by OFSTED there is a requirement for all
workers in a supervisory capacity and 50% of all assistant workers
to achieve a qualification in playwork. There is currently no fixed
date for this to be achieved but it is likely to be by 2005. The
exploration of a route to qualification that will recognise
previous experience and learning and a 'qualification for holiday
playscheme workers is being explored.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Playworkers can progress to a supervisory or management role, play
development workers and play training or play therapy. However,
this type of experience will be useful for those wishing to move
into similar areas of work such as early years, childcare, teaching
assistant and youth work. A direct route into teaching via a
Foundation Degree is also a possibility. Opportunities for
playworkers also exist in the voluntary sector and in
hospitals.
Further Information & Services
SkillsActive www.skillsactive.com
Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education www.cache.org.uk
Playwales www.playwales.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.