Play practice development

MAP is able to provide a range of practice development support, covering the main areas of free play/playwork practice and play provision management practice.

Training

MAP has delivered a range of training courses on various aspects of play provision and can help update you on the latest theory and practice and freshen your ideas for play opportunities. Training can be delivered out with Midlothian too – please contact us to discuss availability.

Look out for details of training courses planned, or contact us to discuss your specific requirements. Past training has covered:

  • What free play is and how to enable it
  • Loose parts (junk resource) – ideas and how to help children make the most of the opportunities (and the theory of compound flexibility)
  • Setting up and resourcing appropriate environments and spaces for play
  • Enabling scope for risk and challenge
  • The adult role in supporting free play
  • Free play and inclusion – supporting the play needs of all children

‘I like that MAP professionalise play by the way in which the training is delivered, as even staff are often unaware of the importance of their role and that they should be seen as professionals. MAP are keen to take on board the suggestions of others and can easily adapt their role to meet the needs of different organisations and their staff.’ (Training delegate)

‘Free play’ practice development

Tailored hands-on support is currently available to groups working with children aged 5-13 in Midlothian.

The Free2Play team provides packages of support for playschemes, out of school clubs and other community based provision to help try out new play ideas. The package includes:

  • An initial training session (joining up with other groups wherever possible)
  • Discussion on current play practice and identification of steps to develop new free play approaches in your provision
  • Follow up visit(s) from Free2Play to help try out new play ideas – at least one but possibly more if a benefit is identified and dependent on availability
  • Ideas for play resources and support to source them

The exact focus of the support varies from setting to setting and (particularly if Free2Play are visiting over a number of weeks) will develop through ongoing reflection and discussion, but the aim is always to work towards creating free play opportunities for children that even better meet their play needs than before – and who wouldn’t benefit from some fresh ideas from time to time?

Please call us on 01875 823 846 to discuss how we can help.

Management practice development

This service is available to play providing groups within Midlothian, working with children of all ages, such as playgroups, playschemes and out of school clubs.

Look out for details of training courses planned, or contact us to discuss your requirements, on topics such as:

  • Infection control
  • Arts and crafts
  • PVG scheme

MAP can also provide hands on support and advice on many aspects of delivering play provision including:

  • SSSC registration
  • Qualifications and training
  • Disclosures
  • Meeting regulations
  • Policies and procedures

Please call us on 01875 823 846 to discuss how we can help.