Scotland's Playgroups Reborn
I grew up in a small town in rural Angus in the 1980s, where there was little to no formal childcare, let alone entitlement to access it. So, a couple of times a week, my mum and I would walk up to the building behind the library which housed the wonderful Peter Pan playgroup.
I remember vividly what I now
recognise as an exceptional early years experience, the likes of which should
be afforded to all children in Scotland. I remember the big wooden climbing
frame in the middle of the room. I remember Mrs Scrimgeour and Jan, the women
who ran the service, supported by parents like my mum. I remember sitting down
to have milk out of a carton and a biscuit around a table with people who I
still wish a happy birthday to on Facebook or stop to have a chat with if I meet
them in the street. My partner-in-crime at playgroup has been my best friend since
we started there, a non-biological auntie to my own children and still chief
mischief maker.
Playgroups have consistently provided
important and positive experiences for children in their earliest years. In
rural areas in particular they are invaluable, often serving as the only form
of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) available, given the unique geography of
many parts of Scotland. They give children the opportunity to learn and grow, develop
friendships, and gain essential life skills, often with their parents/carers,
grandparents, aunties/uncles watching and engaging at the same time.
Playgroups are important,
there’s no doubt about it. But there’s a real danger that this vital part of
our sector could disappear completely unless changes are made to the way they
have to be set up and run. Despite huge advances in the way the world works,
the formal structure of these services is akin to that which existed back in
the late 1980s. There are issues around, for example, governance – legal
frameworks, business support and risk mitigation to name but a few. There are
also, as is too often the case in our sector, significant concerns around
sustainability. Both of these very real barriers are underpinned by difficulties
in recruiting people to be involved – whether that be at committee level, or in
terms of staff recruitment or retention.
Put simply, unless we
seriously consider reforming the way that these vital, voluntary settings are governed
and run, the opportunities and the grounding in life that they give to our
youngest children will cease. That’s why Early Years Scotland is building the
case for a ‘Save our Playgroups’ campaign, which will be informed by those who
run, work at and attend playgroups. Our campaign will provide workable,
practical solutions to the issues outlined above, with the overall aim of
preserving and enhancing an essential part of our sector.
Keep an eye on our social
media for more information, and if this is something you want to get on board
with or get behind, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Lorna Kettles
Policy Officer, Early Years Scotland
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Playgroups are a wonderful starting point for our young children where they learn through play, social skills, interacting with other children
ReplyDeleteIm a manager of a small playgroup in Forfar, your neigbouring haunt! Playgroups have changed so much in the 18 years Ive been involved, through my own children then in a professional basis. I beleive they serve a vital part of the childs educational, social and independance journey! I dont think they get enough credit. We do the same training, I have completed my PDA9 to manage the group as per SSSC, we follow the same rules, regulations and restrictions however we are still the poor relitive of the Local Authorirty Nursery - and dont get the same respect, pay or conditions. The work we do is important along with the relationships we build, nurture and value.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with this statement more! I too am a playgroup manager in Angus. We are no longer what the name states we are. As a partnership provider we have gone from a group that plays to a setting held to higher or same standards of our LA counterparts with less money, resources etc... Save our playgroups indeed, but first comes the acknowledgement that we are expected to deliver the same service with a lot less everything, than most.
DeleteI’m a manager in Angus too and couldn’t agree more! We are expected to do and have more and more as ‘evidence’ leaving time on the floor with the child less and less and this makes me so sad as it is not what I came into childcare for. We are usually the first port for the socialisation
Deleteand transition from home for these children but don’t feel we get this recognition. We are definitely the local authority ‘poor relatives’! This despite any changes in early years are often trialled with us first! I didn’t come into early years for money but it’s hard the amount that we get piled into us without the wages that can be on offer in the local authority settings - no wonder so many jump ship. We provide so many high quality provocations and learning experiences for the child but if I hear the phrase ‘proper nursery’ once in a term I hear it multiple times. We need to have this addressed - that and the fear that some schools put into parents saying if they don’t accept the nursery place now, they may not get in later!! I have a fantastic team working with me……a dedicated, committed to providing the best nurturing for our youngest learners and yet they are still expected to have ‘nurture training’! I’m afraid, if you need this, maybe early years isn’t for you! We need to work together to show the world how vital our groups are!
We are a small Playgroup who face a lot of challenges you have highlighted, particularly over the last two years. We would welcome any sort of campaign to highlight the importance of our valuable service to the local community.
ReplyDeleteAs a Manager of a Playgroup that has been in existence for 54 years, I could not agree with this more. I am passionate about the role that Playgroups play in Communities, for the experiences they offer children in their formative years. I am so concerned that they will disappear, eclipsed by the need to 'educate' our children from too early an age. Let them socialise let them explore let them play.
ReplyDeleteI am a Manager of a small playgroup, which has been in existence for 47 years, and have attained my BA Childhood Practice degree, as required by SSSC. We are in a rural area and I completely agree with all that has been said above. Lynne S has hit the nail on the head, very young children need to socialise and have fun without all the pressure of having to be 'educated'. The way things are it feels like the Government are trying to push everyone out of any kind of 'childcare' that they do not control themselves. Our parents cannot afford to pay for the hours of extensive paperwork that has been enforced on us by the government so this is done in our own time, no payment from the government to cover the hours this takes !!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to collaborate with fellow playgroup manager's. I am relatively new to the role however I too am passionate about our youngest children. I would love to know how your setting works and learn more from others.
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