Playworker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need in this job. You could take a course in outdoor play and learning or a T Level in Education and Early Years.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Playworker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This usually takes around a year and a half to complete and is a mix of study and workplace learning.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Volunteering

You could volunteer to build up your experience of working with children.

You could volunteer at:

• a playgroup
• a school
• an after school club
• a holiday club
• an adventure playground

This may lead into paid work, where you could do training on the job.

DirectApplication

You can apply for playworker jobs if you're already a qualified childcare worker.

You can also do the Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork qualification to help before you apply for roles.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• a desire to help people
• concentration skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of English language
• a good memory
• administration skills
• customer service skills

What you'll do:

Playworkers help children and young people to develop their physical, social and language skills through play.

As a playworker, you could:

• set up play areas that encourage children to develop through play
• build strong relationships with children and respond to their needs
• lead games, supervise children and give out refreshments
• encourage children to express themselves and talk about their worries
• build positive relationships with parents, carers and professionals
• make sure children are safe and secure
• deal with injuries and emergencies

Location : You could work in the community, at a school, in an NHS or private hospital or in a holiday play scheme.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £14,500
Experienced : £22,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

10 - 25 hours variable

Working Pattern is term time / school holidays flexibly

Career Path:

With experience and training, you could:

• work as a playwork development officer for a local authority
• become a playwork scheme supervisor, senior playworker or manager
• move into a school as a teaching assistant
• become self employed and set up an after school club or childcare project