- All children need to play, it is a biological, psychological and social necessity. Play is essential for the healthy development of the child and the wider community.
- Play should be freely chosen. Children should decide how and where they play, why they’re playing and what happens in their play.
- Playworkers should facilitate play, helping children to make their own decisions, and giving them control of their play. This should form the basis of all playwork training.
- For playworkers, the process of play is the most important thing, and we support and promote play in all areas of our work.
- The role of the playworker is to support all children in creating spaces in which they can play.
- Playworkers use their knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice, when responding to children’s play.
- Playworkers are aware of the impact their presence has on the play space, and the impact of children and their play on the playworker.
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Playworkers understand that it is important not to interrupt the play process unnecessarily. Intervention must balance risk with the benefit and well-being of the child.