#TeamPlayBoard had a welcome opportunity to showcase Spaces to Be ~ @ourgeneration.bsky.social to Nick Mathison MLA, Chair of the Education Committee, this week. Nick joined us at yesterday's event, where we celebrated the new Play Champions from Glasswater PS & St Joseph's PS, Crossgar.

We were delighted to join @education-ni.gov.uk Minister Paul Givan at Stepping Stones Playgroup this morning for the launch of the Inclusive Play Programme. www.playboard.org/education-minister-launches-inclusive-play-programme-transforming-learning-environments-in-schools

Excitement is building ... are you ready for the International Day of Play? Just 1 week to go! Inspired by Article 31 of UNCRC - the right to play - check out our NEW 31 summer play ideas. ☀️ 👉 www.playboard.org/get-ready-for-international-day-of-play-11-june

As #VolunteersWeek is celebrated across the UK, we’d like to thank our dedicated Executive Committee members for sharing their time and leadership as we work to protect children’s right to play! #TeamPlayBoard

Do you work with children aged 4-9 in the Belfast area? Join us for a fun-filled journey into the world of emotions with #PlayfulMinds, supporting children's mental health, well-being and resilience through the power of play. Bookings for 2027 now open: www.playboard.org/resources/playful-minds

📣 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱! Join the Play 31 Challenge on the UN International Day of Play on 11 June and make more time for play. 🎉 www.playboard.org/schools-encouraged-to-celebrate-the-international-day-of-play-on-11-june-with-play-31-challenge #InternationalDayOfPlay #IDOP2026

Research study - Perceptions of Defining Play Exploring how play-based professionals across any context perceive and apply definitions of play. If you'd like to take part in the anonymous, 8-10 min survey, go to docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Led by Dr Pete King, Swansea University

Join us for a fun-filled journey into the world of emotions with #PlayfulMinds, our FREE programme that supports children's mental health, well-being and resilience through the power of play. Bookings for 2027 are now open - secure your spot today! 👉 www.playboard.org/resources/playful-minds

Just 2 weeks until #InternationalDayOfPlay! 🎉 Get involved in the global celebration of the power of play! We're encouraging families, schools & settings to make more time for play on 11 June. www.playboard.org/get-ready-for-international-day-of-play-11-june #IDOP2026

Catch up on the latest play news in this month's E-Play 👉 us7.campaign-archive.com?u=de6cc7455c...

Looks like warmer weather is on the way just in time for the long weekend! 😎 Kick off your #SummerOfPlay with some traditional street play ideas. 🪁 Find more summer play activities at www.playboard.org/resources/summer-of-play-challenge-2024 PlayBoard is closed on Monday.

PlayBoard attended Southern Regional College's Early Years Conference this week, facilitating a workshop titled ‘The Inclusive Room: Supporting Emotional Regulation Through Inclusive Play’. @ourgeneration.bsky.social

Happy Outdoor Classroom Day! 🤩 Thank you to all the children, educators, families, and volunteers getting involved today! Make sure to tag us in your posts using the #OutdoorClassroomDay hashtag. We can't wait to see how you celebrate!

Just 3 weeks until #InternationalDayOfPlay! On 11 June, we're encouraging schools to take part in the Play 31 Challenge by making more time for play during the school day. Schools have a unique & vital role in supporting children’s ability to learn, play, and be active. #IDOP2026

By harnessing children’s natural drive to play, schools can strengthen curriculum delivery, well-being and whole-school culture. On #OutdoorClassroomDay, read 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 at www.playboard.org/resources/why-play-matters-in-primary-schools

It's just 4 weeks until #InternationalDayOfPlay! 🎉 On 11 June, we're encouraging schools to take part in the Play 31 Challenge by making more time for play during the school day. www.playboard.org/schools-encouraged-to-celebrate-the-international-day-of-play-on-11-june-with-play-31-challenge

📣𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱!🎉 Get ready for Playday 2026, celebrated across the UK on 5 August. 🌟 This year's theme is: Play – here, there, everywhere. 🌟 Find out more at www.playboard.org/playday-2026-theme-announced #Playday2026 #PlayEverywhere

Play is instrumental in supporting children and young people’s mental health and well-being. Play helps children develop resilience, cope with stress and anxiety, and build good mental health. 👉 Read more at www.playboard.org/resources/fostering-resilience-through-play #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

School-Age Childcare Matters - MLA Engagement As the ELC Strategy continues to develop, PlayBoard is hosting a series of informal “Meet and Greet” sessions, bringing together SAC providers and MLAs. Book now at www.eventbrite.com/cc/school-age-childcare-matters-mla-engagement-4835871

We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to Eileen Russell for her support & commitment during her time as Trustee on our Ex Committee. We'd also like to extend a warm welcome to Dr Rachael Black. We look forward to working together to continue making a positive impact for children & young people.

Alan Herron, PlayBoard CEO, joined fellow members of the Voluntary Youth Work Co-ordinating Committee at the latest Future Foundations event, where orgs have the opportunity to help shape what a healthy and connected voluntary youth work ecosystem should look like. 👉 www.nicva.org/events

Earlier this month, Alan Herron and Angela Stallard were delighted to present at the National Symposium on Play Rights - 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩, 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯 at @nuimerrionsq.bsky.social Alan and Angela shared findings from our National Survey of Play in Ireland.

A number of positive conversations at the recent Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. As the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy continues to develop, PlayBoard was in attendance to highlight the ongoing challenges facing the School-Age Childcare sector and the need for a Play Strategy in NI.

Coming soon ... the theme for this year’s Playday campaign. #Playday2026 will be celebrated on Wednesday 5 August. 👉 www.playday.org.uk Playday is coordinated by Play England, Play Wales, Play Scotland and PlayBoard NI.

Yesterday, #TeamPlayBoard travelled to Enniskillen to take part in the South West College's Early Years Conference. Our workshop focused on promoting resilience, mental health & wellbeing through play. Thank you to everyone who joined us, engaged so positively, & shared positive feedback with us!

Catch up on the latest play news in this month's E-Play including: 🟣 Upcoming School-Age Childcare MLA Engagement sessions 🟣 Play 31 Challenge for schools 👉 Go to us7.campaign-archive.com?u=de6cc7455c...

School-Age Childcare Matters - MLA Engagement As the ELC Strategy continues to develop, PlayBoard is hosting a series of informal “Meet and Greet” sessions, bringing together SAC providers and MLAs. 👉 www.eventbrite.com/cc/school-age-childcare-matters-mla-engagement-4835871

NI Schools - Join the Play 31 Challenge! Play organisations across the UK & Ireland are calling on all schools to join the Play 31 Challenge on 11 June, marking the #InternationalDayOfPlay. Schools are encouraged to allow 31 extra minutes for play in the school day: www.playboard.org/latest-news

📣 Grants of £10k–£20k available! The Asda Foundation Local Community Spaces Fund supports charities & CICs to repair or improve community spaces. 🏠 Community centres 👩‍🎓 Youth spaces 🤝 Support for vulnerable groups 🗓️ Closes 28 April 🔗 tinyurl.com/a36ncufw #GrantTracker

School-Age Childcare Matters - MLA Engagement As the ELC Strategy continues to develop, PlayBoard is hosting a series of informal “Meet and Greet” sessions, bringing together SAC providers and MLAs. 👉 www.eventbrite.com/cc/school-age-childcare-matters-mla-engagement-4835871

Youth work conversations start this week. Join a Future Foundations session and help shape a stronger, more connected sector. 📍 First session: Belfast | 15 April 👉 Register now: bit.ly/4c8hw0s #DormantAccounts

We were delighted to join Donegal Sports Partnership, Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership and the International Fund for Ireland at their Active Play family event in Castlefinn, Co Donegal yesterday. A final celebration of the Active Play Project - a cross-border, cross-community initiative.

Over 150 voices have already helped shape the future of youth work. Now it’s your turn. Join a Future Foundations regional conversation and be part of what comes next. 👉 Register today: bit.ly/4bJhE6i #DormantAccounts

We're delighted to celebrate the latest primary school to renew their TOPS Award - Termoncanice Primary School and Nursery Unit, Limavady. 🏆 Having first achieved the TOPS Award in 2019, the school has demonstrated their ongoing commitment to encouraging and supporting high-quality outdoor play.

📰 Catch up on the latest play news in this month's E-Play, including links to our draft response to the draft Early Learning & Childcare Strategy and a template letter for MLAs to help you speak up for school-age childcare! Go to us7.campaign-archive.com?u=de6cc7455c...

We are recruiting an entry-level Programme & Administration Support Assistant through the JobStart Scheme. 👉 www.playboard.org/programme-administrative-support-assistant-jobstart-scheme Closing date: Monday 23 March #jobsni #nijobs

PlayBoard welcomes the Education Minister’s recent announcement that the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) will continue into 2026-27, maintaining important financial support for working families to help ease the rising costs of childcare. 👉 www.playboard.org/playboard-we...

We visited @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social recently to deliver a Play Awareness training session to the Postdoc Parents Networking Group exploring the benefits of free and risky play for children’s mental health, well-being, and resilience. Discover our training at www.playboard.org/play-services

The UK Playwork NOS Consortium is consulting on the draft National Occupational Standards for playwork. A consultation webinar for NI is running on 27 March. For further info including the consultation response form and webinar booking go to www.playboard.org/playwork-nos...

School-age childcare staff - join us online on 19 March to re-energise play in your afterschool setting! Book your FREE place on our webinar at pbplanningforplay0326.eventbrite.co.uk

School-age childcare staff - join us to step into a child’s shoes & explore what makes a SAC setting feel like a place for each child to belong. Book now for our FREE workshop - A Place for Play: 🪁 Greysteel - 10 March 🏓 Swatragh - 11 March 👉 pbplaceforplay0326.eventbrite.co.uk

Do you work with 9-11 yr olds in a school, SAC, or community setting in NI? We're now taking bookings for school year 2026-27 for Spaces to Be - our FREE mental health and well-being prog, featuring fun play sessions and interactive staff training. Go to www.playboard.org/resources/our-generation

Are you a school-age childcare provider or the parent of a school-age child? We strongly urge you to respond to the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, to protect and promote this vital service. Thank you to everyone who has joined us at our consultation events over the past few weeks.

💭 The thoughts of a 14-year-old we met at a recent event: "You know what I really miss at school? Playtime!" 🙁 Young people still need the 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆!

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 🪁 𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 📍In-person - various dates & locations 🧩 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 💻 Online - 19 March Book your FREE place now: www.playboard.org/training-events

📰 Read our 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘-𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗽 - this month, we're focusing on speaking up for school-age childcare & championing play in schools. Read now: us7.campaign-archive.com?u=de6cc7455c... Receive a copy in your inbox next month by subscribing at www.playboard.org or signing up for FREE membership.

This week, our 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 got underway across NI, creating space for meaningful engagement with the School-Age Childcare sector. Read more & register to join us at an upcoming workshop at www.playboard.org/speak-up-for-school-age-childcare

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 🪁 𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 📍In-person - various dates & locations 🧩 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 💻 Online - 19 March Book your FREE place now: www.playboard.org/training-events

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day! 💙 Get involved at www.randomactsofkindness.org

Reminder - next week we have two consultation workshops coming up on the Draft ELC Strategy: 🔵 Ballymena - 17 Feb 🔵 Ballynahinch - 18 Feb If you work in school-age childcare or are a parent of a school-age child, we encourage you to attend. 👉 Register at www.playboard.org/training-events