Playworker jobs

Children's play and leisure activities are planned, organized, and sometimes even taken part in by playworkers. In addition to this, they watch over the children, provide care for them, and ensure that they are content and secure. They often volunteer in groups that meet before and after school.

They may also go by the names play assistant or creche worker from time to time.

The Work Being Done

It's possible that:

the creation, planning, and execution of various play activities for preschoolers aged three to five and elementary school students aged up to sixteen years old

Children may improve their social and emotional development via the use of play activities.

putting up play structures and ensuring that play places are risk-free activities

monitoring youngsters to ensure they are acting fairly as they play and attending to any small injuries that may arise.

communication with guardians or parents

putting together some snacks for the kids.

Taking children on day excursions or other types of adventures, as well as organizing nature walks in local parks, are all great activities.

maintaining ledgers and exercising management over little finances

transport to and from nearby schools for the purpose of dropping off and collecting up youngsters (if you work in out-of-school care).

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The actual pay rates may vary based on the following factors:

where you make a living

the business or organization for which you now work

the level of competition for the job.

Playworkers often begin their careers with hourly wages that range anywhere from £8.50 to £11.00. Members of the senior staff may earn up to or more than £13.00 an hour.

Conditions

The job is performed mostly inside but on occasion may take place outside.

You might work in a variety of places, such as community centers, hospital playgroups, parks or adventure playgrounds, playbuses, vacation play schemes, and various forms of children's clubs or youth clubs. You could also work with young people in youth clubs.

It's possible that you work full time, although working part time is quite popular.

The normal workday begins at 7.30 in the morning and ends at 6 in the evening. There is a possibility that the hours will be focused in the evenings after school or during the times when school is not in session.

The hours of operation for school breakfast clubs are 8:00 am to 9:00 am, while the hours of operation for after-school clubs are 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. You would be responsible for covering both of these shifts.

Getting In

You must have a solid foundation in the liberal arts.

The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Playwork at SCQF Levels 6 and 7 is the qualification that is best applicable to this job.

For admittance into some programs, you may need to have completed three to five subjects at the National 4 or 5 level, including English, and be at least 17 years old.

You could get started by participating in a Modern Apprenticeship. This may be a stepping stone toward achieving the SVQ in Social Services for Children and Young People, which is awarded at the SCQF Level 7 level. You could be required to have at least three subjects, including English, at the National 4 or 5 level in order to get admittance.

If you want to improve your prospects of enrolling in an HNC or a Modern Apprenticeship after you from high school, consider completing a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People) while you are still in school.

Experience in the relevant field, for as working as a volunteer for a playgroup, may be beneficial and is sometimes necessary. If you are in a suitable position you may complete relevant SVQs on a part time basis.

Training in first aid is also very beneficial.

Playworkers are required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council in accordance with the legislation (SSSC).

In order to demonstrate that you are appropriate for this kind of employment, Disclosure Scotland will conduct a criminal record check on you and demand that it be acceptable. Please get in touch with Disclosure Scotland for more information on the kind required.

What are the Prerequisites?

You really ought to be:

enthusiastic

a capable member of the team

kind and slow to anger

capable of having positive interactions with children, as well as their parents and caregivers

reliable

effectively organized

capable of change and originality

conscious of the risks to health and safety

When dealing with teens, it is especially important to be tough and determined.

In addition to that, you should have:

a serious commitment to the idea that children learn best via play

imagination

talents in verbal and nonverbal communication

a semblance of a playful attitude

the capacity to inspire and encourage young people.

Training

Playworkers who are employed in playwork settings that provide care for children while their parents are not present are required to be registered with the Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) and to work toward obtaining credentials that are recognized by the SSSC.

Getting On

You may advance your career as a playworker and become a senior playworker, supervisor, manager, or development worker after gaining further experience and training.

Playworker Professional status may be earned by completing the required coursework for the SVQ in Playwork at SCQF Level 9.

You will need to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Childhood Practice in order to work as a manager in a day care facility that provides services for children. More information may be found on the SSSC website.

It's even possible that you'll choose to start your own own daycare or toddler club.