Providing induction about play

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. 3. To be an advocate for children’s right to play under the United Nations Convention on the

Rights of the Child. 4. To facilitate children’s play through: • identifying, creating and protecting space and time for children to play • sourcing loose parts, natural, recycled and flexible materials for children’s play • directly facilitating play where appropriate • actively including children who would otherwise miss out on play or be excluded from activities • identifying and acting to remove barriers to play (social or physical) • bringing a playful and creative approach. 5. To develop links with the community and partner organisations/agencies to help support the development of play opportunities in each identified area. 6. To liaise with the community in order to identify volunteers and peer mentors to support and sustain play in their community. 7. To participate in regular team meetings and training. 8. To participate actively in supporting the principles and practice of equality of opportunity as laid down in the organisation’s

Equal Opportunities Policy. 9. To work in line with other organisational polices such as child protection and health safety.