The Play Service

The Play Service provides open access play schemes and offers support to Schools, Community Groups, specialist groups and the voluntary sector within the Swindon Borough Area for all children aged 6-14.

All open access play schemes are free.

Current projects include:

• Breakfast Club, situated in St Lukes School, Penhill
  Opening Times: Saturdays 9.30am - 12.30pm
  (only for ages 10-15)
• Gorse Hill Community Play, situated in Gorse Hill Community Centre
  Opening Times: Mondays 3.30pm-5.30pm
• Blunsdon Play Scheme, situated in the Village Hall
  Opening Times: Wednesdays 4.00pm-5.30pm
  (only for ages 10-15)
• Parks Junior Youth Club, situated at Youth First (Parks Youth and Sports Centre), Oakfield Campus, Marlow Avenue
  Opening Times: Tuesdays 4.00pm - 5.00pm
• TWIST Play Schemes, situated at Chippenham Walk Community Centre
  Openint Times: Tuesdays 4.00pm - 6.00pm
• TWIST Play Schemes, situated at 32 The Circle, Pinehurst
  Openint Times: Wednesdays 3.15pm - 4.45pm
• Pinehurst Library Play Scheme, situated in Pinehurst Library
  Opening Times: Thursdays 3.30pm - 5.30pm
• Penhill Play Scheme, situated at John Moulton Hall
  Opening Times: Wednesdays 5.15pm - 6.45pm

Our Aim

Our aim is to facilitate Play that is of fundamental importance for children and young people's health and well-being underpinning the Every Child Matters outcomes.

Specialist groups

The Play Service works in partnership with other agencies to provide free play opportunities to children who may have difficulties in accessing other play schemes. The Magic Mondays and Underwood House is part funded by Sure Start.

• Magic Mondays, Even Swindon School,
  Opening Times:Mondays 5.00pm - 7.00pm
  (twice a month)
• Underwood House (residents only)
  Every Tuesday

Community Groups/Voluntary Sector

The Play Service offers support and guidance to Community Groups wishing to start up their own play projects including after school clubs, breakfast clubs and community play.

TWIST Project

The TWIST is a project to develop an open access site that will be based between Penhill and Pinehurst on the Sevenfields area.  Community groups are working in partnership with The Play Service to secure funding and planning permission to build an Adventure Playground for the North side of Swindon.  More information available by email request to twistproject@fsmail

Staff

All Play Service staff (including volunteers) are enhanced CRB checked before working with the children.  The Play Service provides accredited training to ensure all staff are up to date with current policies and procedures.  They receive regular supervision and training opportunities to encourage their professional development.

Participation

The Play Service values the active participation of ALL children in all play schemes.

Registration

Places are limited and filled on a first come first serve basis. Staff will endeavour to come out early and number hands, but we do expect honesty and fairness from parents and children when queuing.

PLEASE DO NOT assume that a space for your child is guaranteed! You will need to wait with them to ensure there is enough space for them at each session.

At their first session, you will be required to complete a registration form for your child/children; this is updated on an annual basis so if you have previously completed one please check with staff that all details are still correct. On following days we will mark your child in on a register each time they attend.

If you have any questions-Please speak to the Play Officer on site or call the Play Office - please click on the link at the foot of this page for Play Service contact details

Non Collection of Children procedure

All children being collected from the play schemes need to be met promptly at the specified closing times.

If you know you are going to be late for whatever reason please contact the staff on site ASAP.  

The staff on site will contact any Parent/carer due to collect their child/children who has not turned up within ten minutes of the closing time.

If staff are unable to contact a parent/carer within half an hour of the closing time then social services/police will be contacted.

Play Service Child Protection

Important notice for parents/Guardians

If any play worker has reason to be concerned about the safety of a child or suspect a child may be at risk from abuse or harm, they have a professional responsibility to report their concerns to Social Services.

They will do this –where possible, with your knowledge

If you have any questions about this, please talk to the senior play leader on site or contact the Play Development office - please click on the link below for Play Service contact details.

Please click on the following links for more associated information:

Play Service contact details
Play Service Policies
Play Work Principles
Children's Fund - Play
Play Strategy - Statement of Principles