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

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