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.
This file may not be fully accessible.
In this page
Standard 10: Suitable person
Child’s Voice: The staff here are kind, friendly, and understand how to support children’s play.
Well-being Outcome: Children enjoy playful experiences, secure and enriching relationships with skilled and reflective trusted adults committed to high-quality practice.
The registered person is responsible for ensuring:
10.1 Their ongoing suitability to act as a registered person and the suitability of their staff and volunteers.
10.2 All staff receive induction training which includes health and safety and safeguarding policies and procedures during their first week of employment.
10.3 The continuing training needs of staff are addressed and provided for on a regular basis.
10.4 Processes are in place for all staff to have access to regular supervision and appraisals which encourages reflective practice and opportunities to raise concerns.
10.5 Open access play providers and any staff employed by them are suitable to look after children up to the age of 12 and have the appropriate skills, experience and qualifications to meet the needs of the children.
10.6 All staff are mentally and physically capable of caring for children.
10.7 Open access play providers and any staff employed by them, and any other person aged 16 years or over who works (including on a voluntary basis) or is otherwise present on the relevant premises and has, or is likely to have, regular contact with the children, has undergone a vetting procedure which complies with the Regulations and includes a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure check. All checks must be completed before persons start working or having regular unsupervised contact with children.
Person in Charge
10.8 Prior to their appointment, a person in charge (manager) for an open access play provision for children aged 5 years old up to the age of 12, must have:
- at least 2 years’ experience of working in a day care setting.
AND
b. at least a level 3 qualification recognised on the Playwork Education and Training Council for Wales List of Required Qualifications for Playwork (or any lists which supersede them) which is appropriate to the post.
10. 9 There is a named deputy who is able to take charge in the absence of the person in charge.
Other Staff qualifications
10.10 For Open Access Play work settings:
- at least 50% of all ‘other staff’' holds a level 2 playwork qualification as recognised on The Playwork Education and Training Council for Wales List of Required Qualifications for Playwork (or any lists which supersedes this) which is appropriate to the post
- unqualified, working towards a level 2 qualification or volunteer staff members cannot exceed 50% of total staff.
10.11 The Registered Person/Responsible Individual is satisfied that each unqualified / working towards or volunteer staff member:
- Is competent and responsible
- Will be appropriately supervised by a qualified member of staff
- Has undertaken the necessary suitability checks required
- Has completed induction training relevant to their role
- is working alongside staff who are qualified to the required level
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 all standards relevant to their service and the circumstances concerned.
Related Regulations
Regulation 6 – Registered person: suitability and relevant parts of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2
Regulation 7 – Appointment of a person in charge
Regulation 8 – Person in charge: suitability (Day care) and relevant parts of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2
Regulation 9 – Registered person: general requirements
Regulation 20 – Safeguarding and promotion of welfare
Regulation 28 – Suitability of workers and relevant parts of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2
Regulation 29 – Employment of staff
Regulation 30 – Keeping of records and Schedule 3 – Records to be maintained
Further Guidance and Support
List of Required Qualifications for Playwork
Social Care Wales provide further information on good practice in the recruitment, management, and supervision of staff