BPCN network meetings provide an opportunity for out of school settings to meet with other providers local to their area.
The meetings share best practice as well as hold group discussions about policies and other information relevant to both local and national activity within the play care sector.
Covering four areas of Birmingham
Covering the four areas of Birmingham, twenty-four settings attended the first round of network meetings held this year. Discussions were held around finances (parents paying), open-ended resources, Ofsted – not being consistent with inspections for different settings, Ofsted checklist safeguarding – when parents bring other people with them when collecting their children as well as the early years health and wellbeing consultation document.
The next meeting
Topics for the next meetings will be directed by new information that BPCN has to share about the local picture for early years provision. For example encouraging settings to attend WRAP training, BPCN workshops as well as use of the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board website. The East network meeting has organised for a PC from the local neighbourhood watch team who is giving advice on safety.
Kate from Sunshine Club based in St. Joseph’s RC Primary School attended the network meeting for the north:
“The session was a positive experience for me, it was a welcoming atmosphere that allowed us all to talk, and be heard. With so many changes happening it was nice to have the support and the opportunity for my voice to be heard outside of my own club”
If any settings are happy to host the network meetings then we welcome the opportunity, please either contact your project worker or contact Gill, Birmingham PlayCare Network Administrator at gill@bpcn.org.uk or 0121 236 2917.
Ellee Gunnell, Project Worker at Birmingham PlayCare Network.