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

We had a fun afternoon joining Ards & North Down BC at their 'Connecting Families' event - encouraging more play and less screen time. 🪁🎨🫟🧩 It was lovely to meet so many families, share our resources, and chat about low-cost, easy ways to keep play simple but fun! #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

Do you work with 9-11 year olds in schools/settings in NI? BOOKINGS NOW OPEN for school year 2026-27 for our Spaces to Be @ourgeneration.bsky.social programme - FREE children's play sessions and practitioners play training. Find out more and get in touch: www.playboard.org/resources/our-generation

This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, discover our FREE resources to support children's emotional well-being through play. Go to bit.ly/4tuC9KT to discover the 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆! #PlayMatters

We visited Foster Care Associates yesterday to deliver a Stay & Play session during #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek. It was great to hear the feedback following the session, with participants recognising the value of risky play & embracing the Curiosity Approach when supporting children to manage risk.

Roberta and Susan recently spent a lovely afternoon with P1 pupils at Holy Child PS, Belfast. During their visit, they shared Archie's Adventures in Emotions - a fun-filled jungle adventure with Archie Bear and his jungle friends as they explore big feelings. #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

PlayBoard Consultation Workshops on Draft ELC Strategy Are you a school-age childcare provider or the parent of a school-age child? Join us: 🔵 Ballymena - 17 Feb 🔵 Ballynahinch - 18 Feb 🔵 Omagh - 24 Feb 🔵 B̵e̵l̵f̵a̵s̵t̵ ̵-̵ ̵2̵5̵ ̵F̵e̵b̵ *FULLY BOOKED* 🔵 Online - 26 Feb 👉 www.playboard.org/training-events

To mark #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek we're highlighting the vital role of play in supporting children’s mental health, well-being, inclusion & educational outcomes, alongside the significant impact of our work within schools across NI. 👉 www.playboard.org/resources/why-play-matters-in-primary-schools

Helping children reflect on their past, understand their present, and feel hopeful about their future helps foster a sense of belonging, supporting positive mental health and well-being. Check out our NEW resource on 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 👇 #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

📣 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 - 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗘𝗡 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄! 🟣 Inclusive Play Project Coordinator 🟣 Inclusive Play Development Officer (2 posts) Closing date: Friday 6 February at 2:00pm 👉 www.playboard.org/jobs #jobsni #nijobs

You don’t need to have all the answers. Even a little gesture can make a big difference. #TimeToTalk Day. Visit @mind.org.uk for info.

Fantastic sessions at the Transformational Spaces Primary Conference with Autism NI , PlayBoard NI and NI Council for Integrated Education!

❗️ 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 - 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀! 🟣 Special Educational Needs Inclusive Play Project Coordinator 🟣 Special Educational Needs Inclusive Play Development Officer Closing date: Friday 6 February at 2:00pm Join our team! Go to www.playboard.org/jobs for details. #jobsni #nijobs

Becca and Susan are attending the @iefni.bsky.social conference today - 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴: 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 - sharing their insights on supporting children's positive mental health through play.

Today's feedback from our #PlayfulMinds morning session with Currie PS: "I wish I could do this every Tuesday for the rest of my life!" Playful Minds guides children on a fun-filled journey of emotions ... building emotional intelligence through play. www.playboard.org/resources/playful-minds

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲? 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴! Check out our exciting job opportunities and join #TeamPlayBoard 👉 www.playboard.org/jobs

PlayBoard Consultation Workshops on Draft ELC Strategy Are you a school-age childcare provider or the parent of a school-age child? Have your say on the future of school-age childcare in NI. PlayBoard is hosting a series of four workshops, dedicated specifically to SAC provision.

Catch up on the latest play news in this month's 𝗘-𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆, including: 🧩 Exciting opportunities to join #TeamPlayBoard 🪁 PlayBoard consultation workshops on draft ELC Strategy 🥎 Invitation to join International Play Association NI 👉 mailchi.mp/0db4516a4e40...

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! We've a fantastic opportunity to join #TeamPlayBoard as part of our new SEN Programme. We're recruiting: 🟣 Inclusive Play Project Coordinator 🟣 Inclusive Play Development Officer Closing date: Friday 6 February. For info and to apply go to www.playboard.org/jobs #nijobs #jobsni

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ⭐𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙄𝙣 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨⭐ Play is essential for children & young people's learning, development, & well-being. Quality play opportunities in schools support children's health & happiness, social skills & teamwork, creativity & imagination, & much more. @education-ni.gov.uk

Childcare Subsidies Explained: Don't miss out! 📅 27 January 🕰️ 10am or 7pm Join this FREE online info session with Employers For Childcare to learn about the range of childcare supports available inc for working parents. ▶️ www.playboard.org/event/childcare-subsidies-explained-dont-miss-out

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! We've a fantastic opportunity to join #TeamPlayBoard as part of our new SEN Programme. We're recruiting: 🟣 Inclusive Play Project Coordinator 🟣 Inclusive Play Development Officer Closing date: Friday 6 February. For info and to apply go to www.playboard.org/jobs #nijobs #jobsni

Childcare Subsidies Explained: Don't miss out! 📅 27 January 🕰️ 10am or 7pm Join this FREE online info session with Employers For Childcare to learn about the range of childcare supports available inc for working parents. ▶️ www.playboard.org/event/childcare-subsidies-explained-dont-miss-out

Draft Early Learning & Childcare Strategy - PlayBoard info sessions coming soon! Next week, we'll be sharing info session details to support school-age childcare groups to take part in the consultation process. Read more: www.playboard.org/draft-early-learning-and-childcare-elc-strategy-launched

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! We've a fantastic opportunity to join #TeamPlayBoard as part of our new SEN Programme. We're recruiting: 🟣 Inclusive Play Project Coordinator 🟣 Inclusive Play Development Officer Closing date: Friday 6 February. For info and to apply go to www.playboard.org/jobs #nijobs #jobsni

Check out the latest edition of PlayNationMag 👇 including a special feature on PlayBoard as we celebrate 40 years of play. playnation.uk/blog/magazin... #PlayBoardAt40

Childcare Subsidies Explained: Don't miss out! 📅 27 January 🕰️ 10am or 7pm Join this FREE online info session with Employers For Childcare to learn about the range of childcare supports available inc for working parents. ▶️ www.playboard.org/event/childcare-subsidies-explained-dont-miss-out

𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴! 🟣 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Inclusive Play Project Coordinator 🟣 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Inclusive Play Development Officer Closing date: Friday 6 February 2026 at 2:00pm 👉 For further information and to apply go to www.playboard.org/jobs

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 ... ✨ “Your brain gets smarter when you play!” ✨ Wise words from a P2 pupil we met this week while delivering our #PlayfulMinds project. 😀 Make time to play this weekend - visit www.playboard.org/play-activities for inspiration.

We're looking forward to joining @iefni.bsky.social on 4 February at their 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴: 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 conference. Roberta and Susan will be sharing their expertise on building positive mental health through play. Tickets still available! 👇

Childcare Subsidies Explained: Don't miss out! 📅 27 January 🕰️ 10am or 7pm Join this FREE online info session with Employers For Childcare to learn about the range of childcare supports available inc for working parents. ▶️ www.playboard.org/event/childcare-subsidies-explained-dont-miss-out

𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴! 🟣 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Inclusive Play Project Coordinator 🟣 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Inclusive Play Development Officer Closing date: Friday 6 February 2026 at 2:00pm 👉 For further information and to apply go to www.playboard.org/jobs

Draft Early Learning & Childcare Strategy Launched @education-ni.gov.uk is seeking views on the NI Executive’s draft plan for more affordable, accessible, high-quality early learning and childcare. PlayBoard welcomes the publication of the draft Early Learning & Childcare Strategy.

𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀! The Awards celebrate all that is good about the UK Playwork sector, recognising the people and organisations who have made a meaningful difference to the lives of those they work with. Visit www.playworkawards.org.uk Closing date: 1 February.

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 4️⃣0️⃣ 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆! 🎉 👉 Read our Annual Report marking 40 years of play at www.playboard.org/resources/playboard-annual-review-2025 #PlayBoardAt40 #TeamPlayBoard

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our Senior Management Team in the pivotal role of Director of Corporate Services & Finance. Visit www.playboard.org/join-our-leadership-team #jobsni #nijobs

Upcoming workshops - book now! 🟣Financial support for working parents for childcare practitioners & parents, 12 Aug, 10am or 7pm, online. 🟣 Branching out: outdoor play unleashed for school-age childcare practitioners, 15 Aug, 10am-1pm, Belfast. 👉 www.playboard.org/training-events

We hope everyone enjoyed a fun-filled #Playday2025! If you organised an event, we'd love your feedback - fill out the short survey at forms.office.com/e/3hHkYNAwLL Date for your diary: #Playday2026 will be celebrated on Wednesday 5 August 2026! 🥳

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗔 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁! We celebrated #Playday2025 with parachute games, chalk art and messy play.🎨🎈 Thanks to @ikeauk.bsky.social, Cllr Tracy Kelly, Lord Mayor of Belfast, and all who joined us to support #SpacesForPlay - creating welcoming spaces for children to play, connect and have fun!

Today is #Playday2025. Play is essential for children and young people’s physical and mental health. Find out more about the benefits of play and low-cost activities at www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/pl... #SpacesForPlay @playboardni.bsky.social @education-ni.gov.uk

PlayBoard Calls For Investment In Better Spaces For Play Across Northern Ireland 👉 www.playboard.org/playboard-calls-for-investment-in-better-spaces-for-play-across-northern-ireland #Playday2025 #SpacesForPlay

#TeamPlayBoard will be visiting IKEA Belfast to celebrate #Playday2025 tomorrow between 10am and 1pm. Drop by to enjoy playful activities, chat with our team, and pick up free activity handouts for inspiration to play at home. #SpacesForPlay #SummerOfPlay ☀️

Check out our NEW resource full of fun, easy ideas to get out & play! Access to quality playful spaces is essential for children's happiness & development. Join us on 6 Aug to celebrate the power of play & champion better #SpacesForPlay. #Playday2025 www.playboard.org/playday-2025-spaces-for-play

Info Session on Financial Support Available to Working Parents 🟣 12 August 🟣 10am or 7pm This free session is suitable for registered childcare owners, managers, deputy managers, committee members & parents. www.playboard.org/event/information-session-on-financial-support-available-to-parents

Branching Out: Outdoor Play Unleashed 15 August, 10am - 1pm, #Belfast A fun, hands-on training session exploring creative and inspiring outdoor play ideas for your school-age childcare setting. 👉 www.playboard.org/event/branching-out-outdoor-play-unleashed

Check out our NEW resource full of fun, easy ideas to get out & play! Access to quality playful spaces is essential for children's happiness & development. Join us on 6 Aug to celebrate the power of play & champion better #SpacesForPlay. #Playday2025 www.playboard.org/playday-2025-spaces-for-play

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our Senior Management Team in the pivotal role of Director of Corporate Services & Finance. Visit www.playboard.org/join-our-leadership-team #jobsni #nijobs