Managers Tool 2 Providing induction about play Once essential organisational procedures and policies have been shared and understood by the staff, the induction period can be used to identify learning and skills of staff to understand their role in supporting children’s play. Checklist for a play specific induction Taking a child-centred approach provides a useful framework for us to consider how we might use the induction process to reinforce how we provide children with access to the broadest range of environments and play opportunities:
• introducing and reinforcing the issues of children’s rights • principles and values essential for working with children • health, safety and security • listening to and communication with children and families • understanding development and behaviour • keeping children safe from harm • a balanced, commonsense approach to managing risk and challenge. It is the responsibility of the manager or supervisor to ensure that staff understand their role regarding play. Sample Job/Role Description Purpose: To be responsible for the development, delivery and promotion of a programme of play opportunities. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. To work as part of a team to develop quality play opportunities with children within the community. 2. To enable and support children to contribute to the development of play projects.
5. To develop links with the community and partner organisations/agencies to help support the development of play opportunities in each identified area.
3. To be an advocate for children’s right to play under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
6. To liaise with the community in order to identify volunteers and peer mentors to support and sustain play in their community.
4. To facilitate children’s play through:
7. To participate in regular team meetings and training.
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identifying, creating and protecting space and time for children to play flexible materials for children’s play
8. To participate actively in supporting the principles and practice of equality of opportunity as laid down in the organisation’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
miss out on play or be excluded from activities
9. To work in line with other organisational polices such as child protection and health safety.
• sourcing loose parts, natural, recycled and • directly facilitating play where appropriate • actively including children who would otherwise • identifying and acting to remove barriers to play (social or physical)
• bringing a playful and creative approach. 50
