SP@CE Aims and Objectives Policy
 

SP@CE After School Clubs Ltd pride ourselves on providing quality, fun, active and affordable childcare during the times parents need it most; before school, after school and during the school holidays.

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We believe that children need time to formulate their own ideas and build relationships with others in their own ways.

 

To this end we follow the Playwork Principles as the ethos for our care settings.

 

Playwork Principles

These Principles establish the professional and ethical framework for playwork and as such must be regarded as a whole. They describe what is unique about play and playwork, and provide the playwork perspective for working with children and young people. They are based on the recognition that children and young people’s capacity for positive development will be enhanced if given access to the broadest range of environments and play opportunities.

 

All children and young people need to play. The impulse to play is innate. Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and well-being of individuals and communities.

 

Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, children and young people determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests, in their own way for their own reasons.

 

The prime focus and essence of playwork is to support and facilitate the play process and this should inform the development of play policy, strategy, training and education.

 

For playworkers, the play process takes precedence and playworkers act as advocates for play when engaging with adult led agendas.

 

The role of the playworker is to support all children and young people in the creation of a space in which they can play.

 

The playworker’s response to children and young people playing is based on a sound up to date knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice.

 

Playworkers recognise their own impact on the play space and also the impact of children and young people’s play on the playworker.

 

Playworkers choose an intervention style that enables children and young people to extend their play. All playworker intervention must balance risk with the developmental benefit and well-being of children

(Playwork Principles Scrutiny Group, Cardiff 2005)

 

We aim to keep parents informed by:

• Inviting parents to visit the Club before their children start. This is an open offer to parents.

• Giving all parents a copy of our Parents Guide which outlines how the club operates and includes contact details.

• Making all of our policies available at the Club for parents to consult whenever they like.

• Producing a termly newsletter as well as other regular updates to keep parents up to date with news, events, new colleagues, and changes to fees, etc.

• Providing translations of our key policies and documents for parents who are non-English speakers, where possible.

• Communicating with parents daily about their child’s time at the club and any development updates or if specific needs are identified.

• We actively welcome parents and invite their input into the Club in the following ways:

• We collect information from parents which will help their child to settle at the club (via the Registration and Medical forms).

• We involve parents in settling their children in at the Club, if required.

• We consult fully with parents to establish the care requirements for children with additional needs.

• We greet all parents when they arrive to collect their children, and exchange any relevant information (e.g. any accidents, participation in today’s activities, etc.).

• We conduct satisfaction surveys with parents and children at the Club to gain regular feedback.

• All of our colleagues wear uniform so that children and parents can easily identify them.

• We always seek and obtain parental permission for, photographs, applying sun cream, etc.

• We can arrange for parental discussions with colleagues outside of Club hours if necessary.

• We respect parents’ input and opinions by responding promptly and appropriately to any complaints, in line with our Complaints policy.