NVQ L4 in Playwork

The NVQ Level 4 in Playwork is a nationally recognised qualification for play-workers, awarded by City & Guilds. The course is designed to enhance candidates’ personal growth and development and so enable them to perform their role with greater confidence. A potential job role after completion is Playwork Manager.

How does it work?

Play-workers would be expected to demonstrate competence in providing child-centred play environments and developing opportunities in the community, whilst upholding to protect children from abuse. Candidates are expected to work effectively with colleagues in a team, promote children’s development and relationships through play, and work within Health & Safety guidelines. Candidates must demonstrate competency in four mandatory units and five optional units.

Mandatory units are:

• Work with colleagues and other partners to develop an organisational framework for play
• Develop, manage and review operational plans for play provision
• Establish and develop working relationships (Common Unit with Early Years)
• Reflect on and develop practice (Common Unit with Early Years)

Optional units can be chosen from:

• Obtain additional finance for the organisation
• Manage finance for your area of responsibility
• Recruit, select and keep colleagues
• Provide leadership in your area of responsibility
• Allocate and monitor the progress and quality of work in your area of responsibility
• Provide learning opportunities for colleagues
• Provide Information to support decision making,/li>
• Obtain the facilities and services required for play provision
• Manage and develop play facilities and services
• Work with other organisations, agencies and professionals
• Develop and implement procedures to safeguard children and young people
• Research, design and facilitate possibilities for self-directed play
• Support others in accessing the resources they need to provide play environments

Who is this course for?

The L4 NVQ in Playwork is designed for those employed in the play-work sector who have increased levels of supervision. This may include crèche, after-school, holiday-play club or youth-club managers and supervisors. Candidates must be able to obtain evidence from their work-place which reflects their knowledge and experience.

Workshop Aims

The course will enhance their personal growth and development and so enable them to undertake their role with greater confidence. Possible job roles after completion include:

• Playwork Manager