National Minimum Standards for Regulated Day Care - Open Access Play for children aged 5 years to 12 years: statutory guidance - Audience and overview
Standards of care open access play providers must meet to look after children age 5 years to 12 years.
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Standard 4: Opportunities for Play
Child’s Voice: I can choose how I play and have fun. I have lots of space and time to try things out in my own way.
Well-being Outcome: Children exercise their Right to Play through unstructured, child-led activities, benefiting from freely chosen experiences that support their overall development, resilience, wellbeing and enjoyment.
The registered person is responsible for ensuring that:
4.1 The child’s individual needs are met, and their welfare is promoted when providing play opportunities.
4.2 All children access inclusive play opportunities that enhance their wellbeing.
A range of activities, play opportunities and resources are available which are appropriate to the ages, abilities and interests of the children attending.
4.3 Children are given opportunities to be active, outdoors and/or indoors, as well as time to relax.
4.4 Every effort is made to provide balanced opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play, subject to staffing capacity and other constraints.
4.5 Staff apply National Standards of Children and Young People’s Participation in practice.
4.6 Staff provide resources to support children and young people to create a space in which they can play in the moment and build on their natural curiosity.
4.7 Staff observe children’s play and provide opportunities to enhance and extend their experiences as appropriate.
4.8 The playwork principles are understood and applied.
To assist providers, the principal regulatory requirements underpinning this Standard are outlined below, followed by relevant guidance. Providers should note that neither list is exhaustive, and that providers must have regard to standards relevant to their service and the circumstances concerned.
Related Regulations
Further Guidance and Support
Children and young people’s participation standards: factsheet | GOV.WALES
Play Wales the national charity for children’s play in Wales