National Minimum Standards for Regulated Day Care - Open Access Play for children aged 5 years to 12 years: statutory guidance - Audience and overview

For Open Access Play settings, this National Minimum Standards replaces the document entitled National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare, published in November 2023. 

The changes fall into two main categories: those made following a review of the NMS and a public consultation, and routine updates designed to keep the NMS aligned with current policies and legislation. 

Separate standards for Open Access Play – In response to the Ministerial Review of Play (MRoP) recommendations, standalone standards have been developed for registered Open Access Play services. These National Minimum Standards (NMS) are a distinct set of standards created to address the unique aspects of this day care sector - Open Access Play. See: Standards for child minding and other day care services

Structure and layout of the NMS - the NMS are presented in HTML format with addition of a printable version to bring the guidance in line with www.Gov.Wales standards and improve structure, layout and user experience. 

How to use the National Minimum Standards – the “How to use the National Minimum Standards” paragraph has been updated. Each standard includes the Child’s Voice and Wellbeing Outcome statements followed by the relevant standards, related Regulations and links to further guidance.

High Quality Provision – this section has been included to strengthen information and requirements with regards to quality, embedding a children’s rights approach.

Definition of Open Access Play – there is an updated definition following recommendation 11.3 of the Ministerial Review of Play (MRoP) Report to review and update the definition of open access playwork. 

Standard 7- First Aid Training - Open Access Play has been updated to outline that Open Access Play settings to have at least one person present at all times on the premises with a full first aid qualification, with contingencies in place for more trained staff based on a risk assessment which reflects the types of activities undertaken, location and number of children attending. 

Standard 8 Medication and supporting Annex B - Guidance for administering Liquid paracetamol when children become unwell at the registered setting –Standard 8 Medication has been updated to provide clearer standards and a distinction between prescribed and non-prescribed medication. Annex B provides clarity on the administration of non-prescribed paracetamol oral suspension (“liquid paracetamol”) in the circumstances described.

Standard 10 - Other Staff Qualifications has been updated to outline that in addition to the level 3 person in charge, other staff must be made up of at least 50% holding a level 2 playwork qualification and that unqualified or volunteer staff (including working towards) cannot exceed 50%. This also includes the checks the registered person/responsible individual must have in place for unqualified/volunteer staff. 

Introductory chapter – the introductory chapter has been updated. The introduction includes information on high quality and emphasises children’s rights, wellbeing, relationships, emotional development and lived experience. There are updated links to Welsh Government policies and priorities, along with links to relevant organisations.

Regulated Day Care – examples of Day Care - Open Access Play provision have been included.

Exceptions: circumstances when registration is not required – this has been updated to introduce future changes to exceptions and explains the transition period (from April 2027 to March 2028) for providers who may no longer be exempt from registration.

Working with Parents Standard has been removed, requirements within this standard have been incorporated into other standards and within the guidance document.

Equal Opportunities and Meeting Individual needs Standards have been combined.

Opportunities for play and learning has been renamed as Opportunities for play and reflects Playwork principles

Organisation Standard and Staffing Ratios Standard have been combined and renamed Organisation and Staffing Standard.

Overnight Care Standard has been removed as does not apply to Open Access Play. 

Nurture and Wellbeing Standard has been renamed to Promoting Rights and Well-being Standard.

Please note there has been a change to the numbers of previous standards in light of the above changes.

Welsh Government has updated and refreshed key references to legislation and/or policy throughout the NMS including changes to wording to strengthen specific standards, some changes include:

Standard 7 Healthcare – anti-smoking and vaping standards

Standard 15 Safeguarding

Standard 19 Safety – Fire risk standards

Glossary – new terms have been added to the glossary

It is recommended that registered providers familiarise themselves with this updated and tailored NMS statutory guidance for regulated day care – open access play and dispose of any previous versions of the NMS guidance.