The Special Projects team are able to take on various projects which promote quality play/childcare in a wide variety of settings.
Inclusion features heavily with 2 projects at present, building on Special Needs money available to NOF funded clubs to encourage children with special needs to attend. One project, The Playlines Play Together Project, is funded by Better Play and the aim is to encourage children with disabilities to play with children who do not have disabilities. The other is a training programme involving a basic bag of sports equipment with ideas for activities and adaptations to give workers confidence to include children with disabilities.
Research projects are also taken on. We are currently working in Torbay, looking at how children with disabilities can be consulted about the services provided for them.
Various training is also offered, an example being our Meal Time Assistants course to promote Positive lunchtimes. Th is course is being put forward for accreditation in 2005.
Other training offered includes developing physical activity for all ages from toddlers to teenagers, with a variety of programmes including TOP Tots, Lads and Dads, TOP Start and the Active Club. Promoting Positive Behaviour, Consulting with Children, Working with Older Children are other courses.
In 2005 Come And Play will start. The idea is to identify 5 clubs, identify musicians, get them together for training and hands on music workshops which should lead to developing creative music skills and inspirational approaches to music activities in clubs.
Contact Judith McMahon
T: 01803 551448
