LET’S PLAY

A STRATEGY FOR EARLY LEARNING

AND CHILDCARE SERVICES

2017 - 2020

1

“Play is the universal language of

childhood. It is through play that

children understand each other and make

sense of the world around them.” Play

Strategy for Scotland 2013

Let’s Play Our Ambition “South Ayrshire - the best place to grow, learn and play” Our Vision ‘Our children and young people in Early Learning and Childcare have the best possible life chances’.

Foreword “I am delighted to introduce our Play Strategy. This Play Strategy demonstrates a strong commitment to improving play opportunities for all our children and recognises the importance of play as an essential ingredient in contributing to and enriching the lives of children and families. I believe that the commitment to play in South Ayrshire across agencies will not only benefit our children of today but our children of the future.” Douglas Hutchison - Director of Educational Services “Play is vital from the early stages of brain development and bonding with parents and carers, and promotes independence and autonomy for the teenage years.” Play is the universal language of childhood, it is an activity which exists for its own sake but also has a fundamental role. All children and young people should have the opportunity to play every day and I am delighted to present Scotland’s first National Play Strategy. Aileen Campbell - MSP Minister for Children and Young People (Play Strategy for Scotland 2013)

2

Consultation Background - Following the launch of the national Play Strategy for Scotland in June 2013, South Ayrshire Council are committed to ensuring children and young people have access to a range of safe, stimulating play environments and activities. Purpose – To develop a Play Strategy for South Ayrshire Early Learning and Childcare Services Consultation period: August 2016 – December 2016

Consultation methods:

Focus group

Survey Monkey for parents/carers and services/organisations

Children/Young People questionnaire

Stakeholder meetings

Consultation responses:

Agencies – 15

Parents/carers – 14

Children - 70

All consultation findings can be found at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/childcare or by emailing ChildcareServices@south-ayrshire.gov.uk Plans to address results of consultation:- The Play Strategy will incorporate areas identified by children and young people, parents/carers and services/organisations within the consultation We will provide ½ hour quality physical activity indoors and out each day. Outdoor play will be promoted and staff supported to engage children in these types of activities. The Play Strategy will outline a plan to engage children and parents/carers in a range of play experiences indoors and outdoors that stretch children’s imagination, creativity and allows them to assess their own risks. We plan to increase the availability of free play sessions for parents/carers to engage with their children and offer more play experiences within Early Learning & Childcare Services. Staff will engage in a programme of training to support play in South Ayrshire including the development of leadership skills.

3

Play Play is fundamental to

children’s development and learning. It is how children make sense of the world around them and enables children to explore, create, destroy,

act out situations, de-stress, have fun, discover and learn. Play is a child’s

right. (Article 31 UN Convention of the Rights

of the Child)

Natural Play Access to

weathers and natural

materials

Sensory

Taste, smell, sound, touch

and sight

Acting out

Dressing up and role play

Open

Provision of open ended

materials

Risky

Opportunities to assess and

take risks

Introduction Early Learning and Childcare Services recognise the importance of providing stimulating play experiences and opportunities for children and young people. We are committed to enhancing the quality and quantity of current and future play provision. The purpose of this 3 year play strategy is to increase children’s access to a wide range of play opportunities across South Ayrshire communities. This strategy encompasses play for all children in all types of environments.

This strategy highlights the right of children to play. Our ambition is that South Ayrshire Early Learning and Childcare services recognise the importance of play and the positive impact that quality play experiences have on children. In meeting children’s play needs and aspirations we will work with partners and key stakeholders to coordinate child focussed play opportunities, promote equality and involve children and young people in the development of play areas within Early Learning and Childcare services.

The Importance of Play South Ayrshire Council Early Learning and Childcare believe that play is central to children’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing. It is through this belief that the provision of quality play for children should be freely chosen, self-directed and intrinsically motivating. It is vital that services provide children with a range of play opportunities such as:

4

“Play, intrinsically rewarding, doesn’t

cost anything; as soon as you put a price on

it, it becomes, to some extent, not play.”

Stephen

Nachmanovitch

Where can we play? South Ayrshire has a wealth of places and spaces for children to play including parks, outdoor equipped play areas, open green spaces, beaches, woodlands, safe streets, playgrounds, leisure centres, community facilities and clubs. This strategy will focus our resources on where we can develop and improve play environments for children and young people.

Getting it Right for Every Child

South Ayrshire supports Early Learning and Childcare providers to take a positive approach to risk in order to achieve the best outcomes for children. This support enables children to be safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included.

5

Our Approach

Our Priorities

Improve opportunities for outdoor and indoor play. Increase parental confidence when playing and interacting with children indoors or outdoors

and promote cost effective play resources and activities. Improve children’s ability to assess and manage risks in order to play safely. Develop and embed universal play programmes across Early Learning and Childcare services. Improve staff knowledge and skills, attitudes and beliefs about the role and importance of play. Increase and develop awareness of the impact of play on the wider environment.

IN THE HOME

Our homes and family

environments are nurturing places where children and young people are included

and enjoy play appropriate to their ages and

stages of development.

IN EARLY LEARNING

AND CHILDCARE

All children and young people in Early Learning and Childcare services enjoy

high quality healthy and active play

experiences. Children have opportunities to access the

natural world on a daily basis

and child-led play is

respected.

IN OUR COMMUNITY Play is valued,

encouraged and

supported. All children and young people in

Early Learning and

Childcare Services will be supported

to be responsible

and have sufficient time and space to play safely

within their communities.

SUPPORTING PLAY

LEARNING Early Learning and Childcare

provides positive

support for play through the upskilling

of staff to create a

professional workforce with

a strong visionary

leadership.

“The right to play is a child’s first claim on the community. Play is nature’s training for life. No community can infringe that right without enduring harm to the minds and bodies of its citizens.” Let the Children, Play David Lloyd George, 1926

6

Outcome: In the Home - Children will be nurtured and experience a positive play environment which will stretch their imagination and creativity.

Impact: Our parents and carers will be more confident to facilitate play opportunities in the home and family environment. Staff will be skilled, knowledgeable and confident to engage with parents, carers and families to support when required.

What are we trying to achieve? Key Actions

Lead Officer

By When

How will we know

Staff will have improved knowledge and skills, attitudes and beliefs about the role of play in improving outcomes for children and the role of staff in the provision of support tailored to meeting the needs of families

Provide staff with skills to develop their knowledge including training, research and mentoring programmes

EYT (Early Years Team)

2019 95% of staff will

be confident and

knowledgeable

about the benefits

of play

Embed universal play programmes within Early Learning and Childcare Services including play@home and Bookbug

EYT 2017 -2020

80% of Early

Learning and

Childcare Services

delivering Bookbug

70% delivering

Play@home

75% delivering Stay

and Play

Parents will report they are confident when playing and engaging with their children after attending play sessions indoors and outdoors

Develop play sessions indoors and outdoors with parents

EYT 2017 - 2020

90% of participating

parents report on a

scale of 8 and above

Provide information on learning through play via website and social media

75% increase of hits

on website and social

media

Provide information on play activities/events in local area via website and social media

75% increase of hits

on website and social

media

Parents will use cost effective resources to engage their children in play

Develop user friendly information and guidance on cost effective resources

EYT 2019 90% of participating

parents utilising cost

effective resources

7

Outcome: In Early Learning & Childcare - Children and young people have time and space to enable them to play in a range of indoor and outdoor environments including contact with nature. Impact: More children will play more often in outdoor spaces including green open spaces, parks and safe streets. Children and young people will be able to find clean, safe and welcoming spaces to play and gather near their homes.

What are we trying to achieve? Key Actions

Lead Officer

By When How will we know

All children have outdoor places to engage in outdoor play which includes contact with the local natural environment

Develop outdoor play within Early Learning and Childcare to include local environment including parks, beaches, woodlands and open spaces

EYT 2020

95% of Early

Learning and

Childcare Services

will report that

children have access

to safe free play

including contact with

the natural

environment

10 x expansion and refurbishment of outdoor play areas within Local Authority Early Years Centres

Sept 2019

100% of children

attending Local

Authority Early Years

Centres will have

access to appropriate

outdoor play areas

Local Authority and partnership Early Learning and Childcare Services will report that children will have access to a minimum of ½ hour quality physical activity indoors and out each day

All Early Learning and childcare services provide a minimum of ½ hour of vigorous physical play outdoors

EYT Dec 2017

100% of children

have access to a

minimum of ½ hour

quality physical

activity indoors and

out each day

Parents who attend PEEP (Parents as

Early Educators Programme) report

increased confidence to support

learning and engage with their child,

knowledge of child development,

recognise improvements in their child’s

literacy skills and play

PEEP training All parents of children aged 3 – 4 years have opportunities to access PEEP bi-annually

EYT August 2019

90% of parents will

report an increased

confidence to support

learning and engage

with their child,

knowledge of child

development,

recognise

improvements in their

child’s literacy skills

and play

8

Outcome: Supporting Play and Learning - Children enjoy and are actively involved in learning through spontaneous play opportunities including developmentally appropriate sensory play which is well planned for to support purposeful play. Impact: Warm responsive relationships provide a positive environment for play and learning.

What are we trying to achieve? Key Actions

Lead Officer

By When How will we know

Early Learning and Childcare staff will be confident in engaging with children to develop positive play experiences that are self-motivated, intrinsically rewarding and freely chosen

Play training courses provided

EYT 2017 2018 2019 2020

50 staff trained 2017

70 in 2018

70 in 2019

70 in 2020

Leadership programme of training provided

2017 2018 2019 2020

15 staff trained 2017

15 in 2018

15 in 2019

15 in 2020

Implement training on ‘The principles of play’

2018 2019 2020

30 staff trained by 2018

60 in 2019

60 in 2020

Provision of a balanced approach to risks and benefits when designing and providing play opportunities and activities

Promote the use of ‘Risk Benefit Assessment‘

EYT 2019 100% Early

Learning and

Childcare

services will have

adopted benefit

risk assessment

Deliver Risk Benefit Training

2017 2018 2019 2020

30 staff trained in

2017

60 in 2018

60 in 2019

60 in 2020

9

National Strategic Context Early Years Framework (2008) aims to “improve outcomes and children’s quality of life through play” and “High quality outdoor play opportunities in every community and increase outdoor and physical activity” http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/257007/0076309.pdf

Early Years Collaborative (2002) “Play as a key change” http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/early-years/early-years-collaborative

National Parenting Strategy (2012) –The benefits of play and having fun for a child’s development cannot be underestimated. It’s what stimulates young babies, and helps children to forge strong bonds with their families and develop an appetite for exploration and learning that lasts throughout life. As children get older, active outdoor play not only contributes to health and fitness, but also presents a natural vehicle through which children can develop their independence. http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0040/00403769.pdf Scottish Planning Policy (Scottish Government, 2010) states that “Providing play space and other opportunities for children and young people to play freely, explore, discover and initiate their own activities and support their development. Access to good quality open spaces can encourage people to be physically active and aid health and well-being.” http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/300760/0093908.pdf Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC Scottish Government, 2007) “Every child and young person in Scotland has the right to play, to be healthy and happy, to learn new things and to be looked after and nurtured - whether they live at home or not.” http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright Curriculum for Excellence through outdoor learning (Learning and Teaching Scotland, 2010) -The core values of Curriculum for Excellence echo the key concepts of outdoor learning: challenge, enjoyment, relevance, depth, development of the whole person and an adventurous approach to learning. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/cfeOutdoorLearningfinal_tcm4-596061.pdf Pre Birth to 3 (Education Scotland, 2008) - Providing opportunities for young children to explore their world through various forms of play will, as the guidance makes clear, help to build a solid foundation for their future learning. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/PreBirthToThreeBooklet_tcm4-633448.pdf Local Context Parenting Strategy for South Ayrshire 2014 – 2017 - Our vision for every child and young person in South Ayrshire is that they grow, develop and reach their full potential within strong, confident, resourceful families and communities who are fully equipped to contribute to their children’s well-being. http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/nurseries-and-childcare/parenting%20strategy.pdf South Ayrshire Council’s Open Space Strategy 2012 - 2017 - To support outdoor leisure and recreation, which make a significant contribution to the quality of life in South Ayrshire by contributing to the health of the community by offering opportunity for sport and play; promoting mental wellbeing and relaxation; building community links through the development and use of communal spaces, and; providing opportunities for environmental education. http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/policies/openspacestrategy.aspx

10

Ayrshire Healthy Weight Strategy- 2014-2024 “Healthiest Weight Possible for Everyone in Ayrshire and Arran” Overweight and obesity pose a significant threat to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of both children and adults. It is estimated that in 2012, 62% of adults in Ayrshire were overweight or obese, and 28% were obese. In 2014/15 21% of Primary 1 school children in South Ayrshire were found to be overweight or obese, and 10% were obese. In 2014/15 at the 27 months assessment children in South Ayrshire 33% were found to be overweight or obese, 16% were obese. The consequences of obesity go beyond the direct economic costs to the NHS; it is predicted that by 2030 the total cost to Scottish society could be as high as £3 billion. Obesity has no single cause and is the result of a number of complex factors operating at different stages in an individual’s life including biological factors; early life and growth patterns; food consumption; physical activity patterns; societal influences and the wider environment. https://ww20.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/ext/committee/CommitteePapers2014/Community%20Planning%20Board/12th%20February/AG11%20APP.pdf Sport and Leisure Strategy 2014 – 2019 The aim of this strategy is to ensure sports and leisure facilities and services we provide help South Ayrshire become healthier and fitter. We recognise the valuable social, health and economic benefits that the provision of sport and recreational facilities and opportunities can create for our communities alongside an improved quality of life. http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/documents/sportandleisurestrategy2014-19.pdf

Glossary Bookbug – An Early Years programme which encourages parents and children to share books together from birth. The Bookbug programme provides four free bags of books to every child in Scotland, as well as providing free, fun activities such as Bookbug Sessions in almost all libraries across Scotland. Early Learning and Childcare – services include Early Learning Centres, Out of School Care, Family Centres, Childminders and Playgroups. Free Play - engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose PEEP – A programme designed to support parents and children to learn together. Play@home – A programme which suggests healthy activities that can be used to strengthen bonding and communication improve parenting skills and introduce physically and mentally healthy attitudes from the first day of life.

Risk Benefit – Considers benefit to children as well as risks. Universal Play – Play that is applicable to or common to all members of a group or set

11

Acknowledgements

South Ayrshire Council Early Learning and Childcare would like to thank the following for their input into this strategy. Early Years Team, South Ayrshire South Ayrshire Childcare Forum Voluntary Action, South Ayrshire Sustainable Development Team, South Ayrshire Community, Learning and Development, South Ayrshire Health, NHS Ayrshire & Arran Childminding Support & Development, Stepping Stones for Families Friends of Newton Park Forehill After School Care Childminders Early Learning and Childcare Services Caris, Ayrshire

12

Let’s

Play