Playworker Job
Rocki Stenger
It is the job of a playworker to ensure that the broadest possible range of play types[2] can be engaged in or accessed by children, and to observe, reflect and analyze the play that is happening and select a mode of intervention or make a change to the play space if needed.
A play ranger is a local government employee who visits parks and outdoor spaces, providing equipment and some guidance to help children enjoy their public spaces more. They have been described as a combination of a park ranger and a playworker.[6] They share some skills and goals in common with staff of a forest kindergarten, but are more focused on play than workers at forest schools.
The Playwork Principles that describe the unique perspectives of play and playwork resulted from a document written by Bob Hughes, Gordon Sturrock, and Mick Conway, all who had studied playwork. Their initial document was condensed and reworked by a scrutiny group after receiving comments from the playwork sector throughout the United Kingdom.8 These principles, taken as a whole, give the professional and ethical framework for playworkers, guiding their approach for working with children. The Playwork Principles are:
The play course is 100% online and includes invitation to a private forum, where students can discuss their experiences in putting theory into practice. Upon completion of the Playworker development course, students will receive a playworker qualification, recognising their knowledge and skills in the field of playwork.
Yoni Kallai is the Head Playworker at play:groundNYC. Yoni was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel, then moved to Brooklyn to perform and teach circus. Coming across the concept of adventure playgrounds he was immediately drawn. He joined Alex Khost and Eve Mosher who started play:groundNYC, to bring child led adventure play to NYC. Yoni, a founding play:groundNYC board member, became one of the first playworkers for play:groundNYC. Passionate and committed to the philosophy and principles of playwork, Yoni is always reflecting and fine tuning his practice.
Yoni has worked as a playworker both under Morgan Leichter-Saxby of Pop-Up Adventure Play and Luke Michael Sutton, formally from the The Land. Yoni leads workshop experiences for both educators and parents. This includes the Brooklyn Children's Museum where he trained and advised staff on operating a space using playwork principles. Yoni has also lead parent workshops bringing the principles of playwork into the daily lives of NYC families. Yoni is eager to share the insights of playwork with as many adults as possible and hopes that one day this job will not be needed in the world.
Play work refers to the skilled profession that provides enriching play spaces for children of school age. Usually employed within an afterschool and or holiday club, a playworker is an essential part of the childcare workforce, supporting children with their transition to and from school every day. You do not need any formal qualification to become a playworker, just a love of children. However, there are formal qualifications you can take to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Their role soon altered as they began to facilitate the playprocess. They would bring more materials based on what was already happeningand provide support when it was requested. From this the role of playworker wasborn.
As a playworker the role of play observer is the hardest toachieve and the most rewarding. It is hard to achieve because it requires theadults to remove themselves from the play itself and not to jump in and fix orteach.
As this happens the playworker looks out for things thatmight restrict the play. Are more materials required? Are there rules orregulations that put a stop to the play? Are children worried about gettingdirty? The role of the playworker is to gently remove these restrictions whilemaking no disruption to the play.
The role of a casual playworker is to provide a safe, stimulating environment for children and young people with learning disability, or autism, or both, and to ensure that activities at school holiday play schemes, meet their needs. A playworker focuses on supporting one particular child each day and helps them take part in activities organised by the playscheme leader, as well as encouraging them to join in with others.
In sessions such as Stay and Play, Messy Play, Dad's Club and Drop-in, playworkers enable children to access play resources in a stimulating and caring environment and encourage them to move around independently making their own choices and decisions. They use story sacks to encourage parents and carers to share stories with their children and bring these to life with puppets and soft toys. During Sing and Rhyme times they use a mixture of percussion instruments, actions and voice with babies, toddlers and parents as a vehicle for learning and having fun together.
The most appropriate qualification for a playworker, based in any setting which offers out of school play opportunities, including children's centres, is a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ). These qualifications are accepted by Ofsted for both early years registered and childcare settings and are offered by bodies including City and Guilds, Edexcel, EDI and CACHE. As playwork-specific qualifications, they are designed to equip a learner to facilitate children and young people's play and undertake the playworker role as an assistant at Level 2 or the playworker in charge at Level 3. In addition playwork apprenticeships are also available which encompass these qualifications and should be the first choice for those wishing to enter a career in children's play.
We are on the search for passionate and enthusiastic playworkers to join the wonderful staff team at ELHAP! As a playworker, you can expect to play all day and ensure that our children and young with very diverse care and support needs have the best possible day!
Level 2
You have worked in a playwork setting for some time. You would like to progress your career in order to take on greater responsibility.
Level 3
You're either working as a supervisor in a playwork setting or would like to take on a supervisory role - this could be in a job at an after-school club, adventure playground or play scheme.
Levels 4 and 5
You are an experienced playworker and your role requires you to develop, lead and review temporary or permanent playwork provisions.
Most playworkers are employed in the voluntary or public sector, while others work in the private sector. Playworkers can find employment in various local community settings, including before and after-school clubs, adventure playgrounds, and mobile play provisions like a playbus. Playworker job roles vary according to the type of service being provided and the children being supported.
Working as part of a team, playworkers ensure that the play area is operating to legal standards, undertaking all necessary checks on the environment and resources to protect the health and well-being of all children using the facilities. They also ensure that play spaces and activities are made accessible, and equipment is adjusted where necessary for children with additional needs and/or impairments, providing opportunities for all children to reach their full play potential.
Our playworker level 2 apprenticeship has been meticulously designed to provide indispensable support and expertise to individuals employed in settings such as before and after-school clubs, adventure playgrounds, and beyond.
Throughout the playworker qualification, you will learn about the occ... read more Find out more The apprenticeship at a glance Start Date Flexible from September 2023 Level 2 Typical Duration 15 months (Plus EPA) Delivery Blended learning with one-to-one support Entry Requirements To enrol on our playworker level 2 apprenticeship, you must:
As a playworker, you will assist in planning play opportunities and activities, run play sessions, maintain and construct play structures working alongside the children, young people and staff team and support the planning and delivery of events at the Playground including National Play day. You will work with policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and families. You will be supported to work towards a suitable Level 2 Play or Youth Work qualification but will already have a good understanding of the importance of play and child development.
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