News

Getting Along

Playworkers should be authoritative rather than authoritarian - able to listen but step in when trouble breaks out, says child psychologist Jennie Lindon Many out-of-school care teams are responsible for children from as young as four years old to 11 years of age, and sometimes young teenagers also attend play facilities. Meeting the diverse needs of these children is one of the challenges of out-of-school care. However, good practice guidelines about behaviour are relevant across the whole of this age range, although playworkers need to apply the ideas slightly differently, given the more mature communication skills and thinking power of the same children a few years down the line.

Many out-of-school care teams are responsible for children from as young as four years old to 11 years of age, and sometimes young teenagers also attend play facilities. Meeting the diverse needs of these children is one of the challenges of out-of-school care. However, good practice guidelines about behaviour are relevant across the whole of this age range, although playworkers need to apply the ideas slightly differently, given the more mature communication skills and thinking power of the same children a few years down the line.

Adult behaviour

Good playwork practice is created through the behaviour of individual playworkers. Behaviour policies are important, but guidelines are meaningless unless the written words come alive through daily actions. An out-of-school team needs to reflect and discuss what is a suitable role for playworkers, and children's views can be a useful guide:

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here