Short-term play provision offered during school holidays must beregistered with Ofsted in order to cater for children under eight. Butthis year, for the first time, the watchdog has said that holiday playschemes cannot use temporary staff unless they are fully qualifiedplayworkers.
SkillsActive, the sector skills council for playwork, had urged Ofstedand the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to delaythe changes as they believe there is not enough time to train up theworkforce, which largely consists of students working in their ownholidays (CYP Now, 12-18 March).
But in a letter to Skills- Active, the DCSF rejected these arguments. Aspokeswoman said: "The Early Years Foundation Stage was published inMarch 2007 and the draft Childcare Register regulations were consultedon between April and June 2007. Both documents were very clear about theneed for staff to be qualified."
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