Playwork FAQs

Frequently asked questions:

General questions

What is this initiative?

The Children's Plan included a commitment that "the play strategy will support individuals in communities to take a professional role by providing funding to enable 4000 playworkers to achieve recognised play qualifications, and within that to enable a core of professionally qualified new graduate leaders to emerge".

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has asked CWDC to develop a range of initiatives in partnership with SkillsActive. Initially, in partnership with the Learning and Skills Council, we are offering funding for 2000 candidates to complete a full Level 3 qualification from September 2008. This opportunity is for those who are working in a playwork setting or are about to join the playwork workforce.

How will this impact on playwork as a profession?

Play is important to children's quality of life. Not only does it allow children to learn and enjoy themselves, it also contributes to a healthy lifestyle, helping children's physical, emotional and social development. Professional, well-trained play workers are a key part of the children's workforce and they need to be able to make a different to the five Every Child Matters outcomes. 

The Children's Plan sets out the Government's ambition to develop a world class children's workforce able to provide personalised support, as well as commitment to continue to drive up quality and capacity of those working in the children's workforce.

Qualification-related questions

Which qualifications are being funded?

• Level 3 NVQ in Playwork;

• Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Childcare titled the "Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Years and Childcare Workers". 

I would prefer to do a diploma rather than the NVQ - why is this not being funded?

In order to support the training of up to 2000 playworkers at Level 3 from September 2008 we are working in partnership with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to access funding streams available. The funding available is for qualifications that meet particular requirements. Diplomas continue to be on the National Qualifications Framework are still recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and SkillsActive to be appropriate for a Level 3 worker. However, they are not included in this current phase of funding.

Might other qualifications become eligible in the future?

There are a number of options. It is possible that the criteria determining which qualifications can attract the funding will change and enable other qualifications to be considered in this offer. Awarding bodies may review their qualifications to enable them to meet the funding requirements. 

Why is Level 3 the only qualification being funded? Why not Level 2?

Research has shown that a key gap in the qualification needs of the Playwork sector is the number of senior practitioners qualified to Level 3. Giving 4000 playworkers access to Level 3 qualifications is a massive opportunity to effect a step change in the sector, benefiting children and young people and supporting the Government's Children's Plan.

Level 3 is the standard that is appropriate for this phase of delivery of the Children's Plan. Additional funding is available for other playwork qualifications and information can be obtained from your regional SkillsActive contact or Train to Gain broker.

Eligibility questions

As an employer, how many of my playworkers can I put forward?

There is no limit to the number of employees you can put forward to take up a qualification. Please note that eligibility for funding is limited to:

• those without a Level 2 qualification, taking a playwork Level 3 qualification as their first award;
• those who have a Level 2 qualification;

• those who have a Level 3 qualification in a different subject.

With respect to the target group for this initiative, what is the definition of a playworker? Would it include someone working in an Ofsted-registered, out of school childcare setting or someone who incorporates playwork into their work, such as teaching assistants?

The defining factor is that their title and job role is a Playworker. Playworkers work in the following settings:

• Adventure playgrounds
• Before and after school clubs
• School play centres
• Community play centres
• Holiday play schemes
• Specialist play projects
• Playworkers in other settings, eg a sports centre
• Detached play work schemes such as Play Ranger projects

The funding is also available to people looking to join the play workforce. 

Is the funding for both the maintained and PVI (Private, Voluntary, Independent) sectors?

Yes the funding is available for both the maintained and PVI sectors. 

What qualifications must I have to do the Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Childcare?

The Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Childcare titled the "Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Years and Childcare Workers" are for those people who already hold a Level 3 qualification in Early Years and Childcare.

The qualifications in Early Years and Childcare that are acceptable for entry onto the transitional modules are the Level 3 NVQ in Children's Care Learning and Development and the Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Care and Education plus ongoing Continuous Professional Development. 

Studying for the qualification

How time-consuming is the NVQ?

As a flexible work-based qualification the time it takes to complete an NVQ is variable.  However between one and two years would be seen as a reasonable time for a candidate to complete a Level 3 NVQ in Playwork.

My playwork job commitments restrict the times I could attend a course. What flexibility is being factored in?

An NVQ is designed to be flexible around your work.  Much of an NVQ is assessed at your place of work rather than being classroom-based which means you can fit it around your working day. As with any course, the flexibility will depend on your training provider so it's recommended that you speak to your Train to Gain skills broker to find out more.

As an employer, I can't spare the time to let my playworkers study. Is there any funding for replacement cover?

There is no replacement cover funding available. 

Training provision

Which training providers are signed up to this initiative?

Training places will be brokered through the LSC's Train to Gain programme.  Primarily this will be through Train to Gain approved providers. Train to Gain will identify how to meet the demand raised by employers on a regional and local basis.

I am a Code of Practice NVQ Level 3 playwork trainer but have not been approached about this initiative. How can I get involved?

Initially, Train to Gain will approach their approved providers. However, a delivery model is currently being reviewed. We will provide more information on this as soon as it's available.

Questions relating to other qualifications

Will there be funding for playworkers to do transitional units into Childcare?

The funding for this initiative is for the Level 3 NVQ in Playwork and the Transitional Modules in Playwork from Early Years and Childcare. The Children's Plan sets out a number of commitments to support the childcare workforce.

Will there be funding for playworkers to do graduate level training in play?

CWDC in partnership with SkillsActive are taking forward the commitment in the Children's Plan to develop a core of professionally qualified graduate leaders. We are currently commissioning some research to explore the deployment of graduate leaders in the playwork workforce. There isn't currently specific funding available unless a local authority is using a Transformation fund to pay for Playwork higher education qualifications.  

Will there be any funding to run the Take 5 for Play courses in schools?

The funding for this initiative is for the Level 3 NVQ in Playwork and the Transitional Modules in Playwork from Early Years and Childcare. For information about funding for other playwork qualifications please contact your regional SkillsActive contact.