Paul Bonel meets with DCSF to highlight issues and discuss best outcomes with EYFS

Leonie Wilson, SkillsActive - 06/06/2008

“The meeting was part of our ongoing efforts to highlight the negative impact the EYFS could have on the playwork sector and was an opportunity for us to make some positive suggestions to solve these issues,” says Paul Bonel, Playwork Unit Director at SkillsActive.

This September, the EYFS will be become statutory requirement for all schools and Early Years providers working with children from birth to five. “As a small number of children in playwork settings are four or five years’ old, we’re working to make sure that playworkers, and playwork qualifications, continue to be recognised in these settings."

During the meeting, Paul raised the issue that playwork qualifications do not currently meet the EYFS requirements. “As it stands, playwork staff would have to gain an additional qualification to meet the requirements,” says Paul, “the alternative would be that employers recruit new staff with Early Years qualifications or, as a last resort, establish an age limit of six and above and put families with younger children at a disadvantage.”

“I was reassured to hear that the EYFS qualification database is not yet complete. So we will continue fighting to get playwork qualifications recognised on the database to ensure the best possible play opportunities for children of all ages.”

For more information and a list of FAQs about the EYFS click here