Play Service Policies

Play Service Inclusion policy

The play development service provides and supports out of school activities for children aged 5-14yrs.Its vision of equality is that within our diverse society, all children and young people have equal life chances:

• This includes every Childs right to play in a way that is freely chosen, personally directed and self-motivated.
• The right to be consulted when decisions are made that affect their playing opportunities.
• Play workers will not discriminate against children and young people through being perceived as part of a group because of sex, ethnicity, cultural and religious background or disability.
• Council run play schemes are free for all children living in the local area. Parents do not need to pre-book and children can come and go as they please. Trained staff will endeavour to look out for and fulfil the needs of all children who attend the play schemes.

Play Service Behaviour Policy

The play development service staff aim to adopt a positive approach to behaviour management wherever possible.

Positive reinforcement for good behaviour and open honest discussion between children, young people and staff will be encouraged to establish mutually agreeable ground rules for all individuals joining the play schemes.

In the event of any unacceptable behaviour being displayed, a card system similar to that used in football will be employed whereby:

A yellow card will be allocated to any individual who has displayed unacceptable behaviour. This sends the message that their behaviour needs to improve.

If behaviour does not improve a second yellow card will be issued, if unacceptable behaviour continues after this, a red card will be given. This means that the individual involved will be excluded from the next day of the scheme or longer at staff discression.

Bullying will not be accepted in any form on play schemes and will result in an immediate red card being issued to any individual/s found to be bullying others.

Under 5’s policy

Play schemes are for children & young people between the ages of 5 and 14 years.

• Please do not send children unaccompanied by an adult under the age of 5

• We are only insured for children aged 5 and over

• Activities and games are not suitable for under 5’s

• Staff to child ratios are not suitable for under 5’s

• Any child under 5 found to be attending the scheme unaccompanied by an adult will be removed from activities until a parent or guardian has been contacted and has picked them up, however the play development service cannot be held responsible if any under 5 leaves the site.

Please do not cause unnecessary upset or embarrassment by trying to book an under 5 onto the play schemes.

Play Service Open Access Policy

Swindon Borough Play Schemes are run on an open-Access basis. This means that children are free to come and go as they please.

Play schemes are NOT ‘Care Schemes’ –Parents/Guardians who require childcare should seek alternative provision.