First Go Play training completed in Dundee

On 31st March Shona Robison, Minister for Health and Sport presented workers from Childcare@home in Dundee with certificates to mark their completion of the first OPFS play training programme funded by Inspiring Scotland’s Go Play initiative.
The training programme has been devised to equip workers to facilitate free creative and outdoor play with the children they care for.
The bespoke programme has included exploration of some of the significant principles and theory, and consideration of the importance and benefits, of play Workers have examined the process of children’s play and how they can extend and sustain children’s play from a child-centred perspective, making use of the local and wider outdoor environments.
Participants have taken part in many group exercises and, on the final evening, in very high winds, were outdoors building dens, mud painting, whittling, and making toffee apples. This has highlighted the value and importance of outdoor play and interaction with the natural elements. Staff have had a thoroughly enjoyable experience and are enthusiastic about taking part in more play experiences with the children in their care.
Workers will also have access to a wider range of resources, including waterproofs, which will help support this work.
The programme will be rolled out to all workers employed by the OPFS managed Childcare@home services and other staff involved with children over the next few months with the next training scheduled to take place in Glasgow in April.
The Go Play funding will also support a Stay and Play pilot programme for parents and children aged 5 – 14 in Dundee, which will run over the summer months.