Boosting Childcare and Play

Asian Play explored multicultural play by looking at Indian arts & crafts, Dewali and Bangra dancing – as well as the West Midlands Centre for Playwork Education & Training’s innovative Asian Playworkers project, specifically aimed at raising the profile of play in Asian communities. This project delivered an introduction to Playwork course (Take 5 for Play) to predominantly non – English speaking communities. It proved to be a huge success as it recruited over 100 beneficiaries, training them to become assistants in out-of-school play settings.

Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change’s Playing It Up project improved the provision of play opportunities and play training to adults, young people and children living in social housing, in disadvantaged neighbourhoods - as part of a broader programme to increase employment options through community development.

Single Parent Action Network’s: Homebased Childcare and Mobile Crèche projects provided flexible childcare and play resources which met the needs of low income parents and their children. These community based projects provided high quality, child-centred care for children in their own homes - for working parents, students and parents needing respite care.

Suffolk Social Care Services’ Family Support project developed innovative ways of providing services for vulnerable children by reviewing the service that engages early years and childcare, addressing how the sector could provide additional family support and enhancing skills for those working with vulnerable children.

SkillsActive’s Modern Apprenticeships, Playworkers Against Racism and I Can U Can projects were all about inclusivity and involving hard-to-reach groups.