Playworkers need to be trained and qualified workers. There are now opportunities at every level to take part in high quality training and gain qualifications that have been endorsed by the Sector.
People who are interested in working with children but not sure what they would like to do can attend a training course called "Making Choices". The course was written to help you make an informed choice about which age group and setting they wish to work in. It is delivered by Local Authorities Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships.
If you will be working at Level 3, for example, running play setting and working without supervision, you'll need to have or be working towards a Level 3 qualification.
Half the playworkers at Level 2 in a playwork setting, who work with supervision, need to have a Level 2 playwork qualification.
There are a lot of different playwork qualifications available now. You can work towards a qualification in different ways, depending on what suits you - full time or part time study, distance learning, training sessions on evening and weekends or e-learning. Qualifications are offered by private, voluntary sector and local authority training providers, Further Education Colleges and Universities.
Playwork qualifications include S/NVQs, as well as diplomas and degrees available from universities.

There is a wide range of Playwork training courses available and SkillsActive provide a list of courses which have been approved by people involved in Playwork. Training keeps your skills and knowledge up to date and can give you new ideas and inspiration.

What can SkillsActive do for you?

Choosing Playwork - Working with children in out of school settings

Playwork Training and Qualifications