Training and Support Programme: Playwork Qualifications

A Pathway from Early Years to Play pilot began under the PfS programme in 2019. This provided opportunities and funding for practitioners who required a playwork qualification to meet the requirements of the National Minimum Standards for regulated childcare by 2021. Although the deadline has now passed, we are aware that many settings are still seeking to undertake these qualifications for their staff and so a demand remains for these qualifications.

Therefore, the provision of playwork qualifications continues to have an important role to play in supporting practitioners to upskill and achieve qualifications that are crucial to ensuring a high quality sector.

Our discussions with childcare and playwork stakeholders, as well as training providers confirm there remains significant demand across the childcare and playwork sector for supporting access to qualifications which will help with recruitment and retention difficulties. Within Welsh Government, we have a clear focus on supporting people to enter, stay and progress in the childcare and playwork sector, as is outlined in the 10 Year Childcare, Play and Early Years Workforce Plan.

The aim of the tender is to award up to seven 18 month contracts that will build on the provision of playwork qualifications provided under the PfS programme. These contracts will be tendered via 4 lots:

Lot 1 – Delivery of L2PP and P3 (Level 2 and 3) (All Wales basis) - 1 contract awarded

Lot 2 – Regional delivery of Transition to Playwork (North Wales). 2 contract awarded

Lot 3 – Regional delivery of Transition to Playwork (Mid and West Wales). 2 contract awarded

Lot 4 - Regional delivery of Transition to Playwork (South Wales). 2 contract awarded