Managing Playwork Provision

Navigating the maze of regulation - Clare Freeman and Catherine Wrench

Do you need to register your play setting with Ofsted? And if so how do you go about this and what requirements do you need to meet? If your setting does not need to register, what do you actually have to do in order to get up and running?
Our session will look at the different Ofsted Registers, the requirements for each and look at the benefits and downsides to Ofsted registration. Join us for a guided tour through the maze of childcare regulation for play settings.

TIME: 9:30 - 10:15 LENGTH: 1 hour TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Easy

Day to Day management of a Play setting - Audrey Bobb

This session will look at the day-to-day management of your play setting. It will give you an insight into how your day might go, including managing staff, preparing rotas, planning activities, providing food, liaising with parents, and dealing with difficult situations, whilst also  remembering to celebrate with staff - and there's so much more. You will find that no two days are the same and that it is important to plan in flexibility, and to prioritise the most important tasks.

TIME: 10:30 - 11:30 LENGTH: 1 hour TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Easy

Eat, Sleep, Train, Repeat... The Playwork Edit - Rebekah Jackson

Not sure where to turn when it comes to training and qualifications for your setting? No idea what you or your team should be doing next? Want to know what training is actually required and what's just a good idea? Confused about how often your training should be updated? Want to know about how to nail your workforce development plan for the next year? Interested in ways of funding your workforce plan? This workshop explores all things training and qualifications! Participants will get all the tools they need to create an effective workforce plan and put it into place.

TIME: 11:45 - 12:30 LENGTH: 45 minutes TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Easy

Muted aspects of managing an Adventure Playground - Guy Lawrence and Rebecca Pryce

"Risk and Safety in Play” the recognised guidance for adventure playgrounds is our go-to manual (some may say bible), however, some sections are now dated. Over the last 25-30 year, there have been changes and challenges to managing adventure playgrounds from evidencing facilities management and site checks, to building play structures with children or as a playwork team. Through this session, we will explore the ever-changing role of Adventure Playground Managers responsibilities and how play can be incorporated into what can sometimes be labelled as ‘admin work’ for playworkers. The session will invite shared views, experiences and thinking and how the sector could create updated guidance for adventure playgrounds.

TIME: 13:30 - 14:30 LENGTH: 1 hour TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Easy

Winning at Ofsted - Karen Hodgeson

As we all experience the highs and lows of Ofsted Inspections, this will cover how to make it an altogether more positive experience and outcome for everyone. From things to put in place now and things to make sure you do on the day, I'll cover the new inspection criteria, so you may end up knowing it more thoroughly than your inspector does! What's the deal with Managers' qualification requirements? Ratios? Do they even look at Learning and Development now? And does everyone need Prevent?! Speaking from personal experience managing a group of wrap around settings, I'll be sharing checklists, best practice and top tips for the new inspections.

TIME: 14:45 - 15:45 LENGTH: 1 hour TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Explorer

Sustaining your playwork business - Nick Mealey

It is tough time for many playwork businesses with increased costs from school rent, staff wages, pension, resources and the uncertain climate with Brexit. During my session I will talk about what challenges and successes in my business and discuss how to sustain a business by making difficult decision. I will talk about our marketing strategy, agreements and contracts with schools, the benefits of using an online system; as well as how to plan ahead with the NMW increases year on year, with hints and tips of what has worked for me. I will help and work with you to ensure your out of school club provision is sustainable with the tough times ahead.

TIME: 16:00 - 17:00 LENGTH: 1 hour TARGET AUDIENCE: Play Easy