Changes To Holiday Playschemes

Parents are being advised that there will be changes to Newport City Council’s playschemes from this summer. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Roger Jeavons, Cabinet Member for Community Services, Work and Skills, has agreed a new play development structure following consultation with all members. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The introduction of new childcare regulations and a reduction in Welsh Government grant funding means the council will not be able to deliver the same level of all-day playschemes as it has in previous years. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

However, the council wishes to emphasise its commitment to play and, where possible, has reconfigured its resources to provide an additional number of shorter play sessions across the city during the school holidays. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Jeavons said: “Providing opportunities for play is important for the council and these can be provided in a variety of ways including playschemes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our financial contribution to holiday play sessions has remained the same but there is a reduction in the grant funding from Welsh Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We welcome the new legislation which is being introduced in the interests of children but, combined with the grant reduction, this is having an impact on the council’s ability to offer as many all-day schemes as it has in previous years. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“However, I am pleased that, not only we will still be able to offer six full day, registered open access playschemes, we will also have play sessions of up to two hours in three fixed venues and in open spaces thanks to the establishment of an outreach team.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Play development in Newport is funded by the council and Welsh Government’s Families First programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Previously, play provisions of two hours or more had to be registered with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for all children up to the age of eight. In April, this was extended to children up to the age of 12 (or 17 if they have a disability). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As a result of the change in the legislation, a higher level of qualifications is also required for staff supporting playschemes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Jeavons added: “Our six schemes will include one in the Welsh language and one for children with complex care needs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The shorter play sessions will also be available on a first come, first served basis and will provide just under two hours of fun and activities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​