The play team works with a variety of children, children with specific needs who have been referred onto Oasis schemes through agencies such as the NSPCC, Social Services and Schools, and children who attend our open access schemes, the After School Clubs and the Play Outreach Programme (POP).

 

At the open access schemes any child can attend, these are often children in need but who have not been identified by statutory agencies, because their behaviour is not causing problems.

 

Our projects are run inclusively with anti discriminatory practices, treating all children and families fairly. Everyone is made to feel welcome no matter what his or her circumstances are.

 

It is important that children and their families feel welcome; staff are approachable and build relationships with children and families by showing an interest in the individual and their needs. We promote the projects as a child centred & flexible, responding to the children's play needs, in a sensitive & positive manner, offering reassurance and approval to children.

 

Negotiation is an important skill we encourage children to develop, by offering them choices and getting them involved in decision making helps them to become responsible and prevents them from feeling excluded, and encouraging them to think of others all helps in the understanding respect in relationships.

 

Play is extremely important to all aspects of a child's development. Children love to play; it stimulates them in many ways.

 

In play a child's physical development is improved by being physically active, a variety of activities improve fine & gross motor skills, & co-ordination. Play also stimulates the brain and so cognitive skills are developed. It improves language and social skills by the interaction with other children and adults. Children need love and positive interaction, they need variety in play and movement, all of these will help the child to develop into a rounded person.

 

Play provides families and young children the opportunity to play safely within their own community outside of school. They provide also an environment whereby the child's Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative, and Emotional development can continue to flourish. Play schemes help to bring people together and nurture a sense of belonging and tolerance within a community, by offering positive activities for everyone.

 

Play services offer an early intervention role and effective tool in preventative work within communities.

 

We believe that investing in young people at this level we are helping to develop a better understanding of the value of play within communities and helping parents and children to realise their true potential. The concept of children's play and play methodology as a tool for developing communities is widely recognised by statutory and non statutory organisations and is sited in the 'Best Play' document as a proven tool for harmonising conflicting communities

 

The new report 'Getting Serious About Play' from the Department of Media, Culture & Sport on Children's Play, draws attention to the need to encourage children to play outdoors. It recognises that we should make better use of parks and especially open spaces, where many children play, as it is an area where they cannot be excluded.

 

In 2001 a MORI survey for the Audit Commission rated improvements in local services facilities for children are more needed than, Health, Education and housing. Other surveys show that parents believe that the children of today have fewer opportunities for play than they did themselves; they feel that children spend too much time watching television and playing computer games. They would like them to get more physical exercise.

 

This lifestyle change partly explains the growth in child obesity in recent years. The report states that children and young people are deterred from playing outdoors because of fears of their safety, bullying, threats from traffic and from other people, and that often play areas are considered too far from home for children to go to. Due to the new government legislation property developers are now encouraged to increase the number of properties on new sites, this automatically reduces the size of gardens for children to play. Also facilities can be run down play areas and parks, and there are increasing conflicts with user groups of public open spaces. For these reasons children and parents are keen on adult supervision in play.

 

Based on this report we decided to deliver a Play Outreach Programme (POP) across the Borough. In a bid to become more inclusive and generate more community involvement in children's play services, we are developing through consultation with residents and agencies more appropriately placed plays schemes.

 

The Children's Act 'Every Child Matters' is the most important piece of legislation affecting the provision of out of school activities and play schemes.  The Act contains important regulations that affect everyone who is responsible for planning, managing and delivering services to children; there is a greater emphasis on prevention & early intervention. The overall aims are to improve the lives of all children & families,

The five outcomes are for all children to:

1.         Be Healthy 
2.         Stay Safe
3.         Enjoy & achieve
4.         Make a Positive Contribution
5.         Achieve Economic Wellbeing

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council support these main principles and aims to ensure that services to children reflect the good quality indicators that the Children Act promotes; these are: -