Risk-taking is an essential feature of playing and sometimes accidents do happen and when they are playing children may hurt themselves. We do everything we can to balance the need for children to experience uncertainty and risk, and the need to keep them safe from serious harm.
Bishopston Playscheme is run by Bishopston Play Association at Bishopston Primary School and is for ALL children between the ages of 5 and 13 years.
This year it will run from:
Monday 24th July to Friday 4th August, weekdays
from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Please note the Play Association cannot provide any lunch time supervision. This means children must leave the site of the playscheme for the lunch hour (with the exception of some families with additional support).
Play opportunities
Bishopston Playscheme is an antidote to modern life where we give children the freedom to truly play. We provide a range of play opportunities including den building, fire pits, outside cooking, hammocks, climbing frames (and trees) a slack line, rope swings, waterslide and hose, painting and making. With loose parts to use as they wish- parachutes, mattresses, straw bales, cable reels, tyres, to name a few. And activities to partake in such as face painting (or arms, legs….) and modrock.
Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, children and young people determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests, in their own way for their own reasons. The purpose of the playscheme is to provide for children’s play needs.
Under 5s are welcome to join in, with close supervision from their grown up- importantly, please visit the page ‘Information for parents’ for those who have littler ones.
The playscheme is for children to play and we can guarantee that they will get dirty and or wet because play is messy. Please don’t expect them to keep clean and tidy.
Ensure that children attending the scheme are appropriately dressed for a range of play opportunities and weather conditions. In the event that it is sunny (we can hope) we advise that your child should be protected from the sun against sunburn.
All children using the playscheme are treated with equal concern and respect, and playworkers make every effort to ensure that every child’s particular needs will be met.
It is an OPEN ACCESS playscheme where all children are free to come and go as they please and ALL children are welcome. If children choose to leave/return they must sign in/out on the form at the front desk and will usually pass a member of staff/trustee in doing so. Usually, it’s older ones who pop to the shop, and we tend to find that most children aren’t keen to leave- even when it’s time to! If you’re concerned about this please just ask.
Staff and organisers
Bishopston Play Association, employs 11 full time playworkers who all have enhanced DBS checks and playwork training. Many of them are peadiatric first aiders as are some of the trustees- some of whom are always on site, there are also a number of volunteers. Of course, if a child feels unwell or has an accident on the playscheme we will contact their grownup immediately. We are required to tell you that we speak English at the playscheme – but you don’t have to!
Children are encouraged to decide what behaviour is appropriate, however if necessary playworkers will provide children with guidance, to ensure all children get the best out of the experience.
During opening hours the playscheme can be contacted on tel. 07977414350. Outside opening hours please phone Mike Greenaway or Sue Bradshaw on 01792 234961 or bishopstonplayassociation@gmail.com
The Play Association is a registered charity and has a committee of Trustees; they are Mike Greenaway, Katie Greenaway, Sue Bradshaw, Teresa de Vall, Deborah Montague-Evans, Jane Poulter, Rosie Greenaway, Polly Adams and Andora Wild.
If children or parents have any comments, complaints or questions please do not hesitate to speak to any of the playworkers or trustees.
Voluntary contributions
Whilst the playscheme does receive some funding from Swansea CC, to keep the playscheme running to the high standard we expect we continue to depend on voluntary contributions. As in previous years we are asking parents/carers to consider making a suggested voluntary contribution of £3 per session per child. However, we recognise the current financial climate and take pride in being an inclusive playscheme, all contributions however modest, are hugely appreciated. Please bring your child/ren along and contribute whatever you are comfortable with, the most important thing to us is they get the opportunity to come and play.
As a charity we have registered for Gift Aid which means that we will be able to claim back 25p for every £1 of the voluntary contribution you donate. All you have to do is indicate your permission by ticking the box on the registration form.
Registration
We are required to collect details of children attending by Care Inspectorate Wales. We are also asking for permission to take photos that we might use to advertise the playscheme and provide for funders, you can indicate your preferences on the form. We are GDPR compliant. For further information please see our privacy policy on our website.
And lastly. As most of you will know we need everyone to complete a registration form for every child attending, you can register on paper forms at the desk the first day you attend, or register on a downloadable form which is available here on the REGISTRATION page. You’ll need to complete the registration form for each child once, but please make sure to sign in at the front desk each session you arrive so we know who is onsite at all times.
As ever we hope your children have a fantastic time at the playscheme. We are so happy to be back- see you back on the junior side!
Registered Charity No: 1142286
Registered Charity No: 1142286
Bishopston Play Association 