PlayToday issue 70 - Play England

Resources and events
Book review
Leadership for Quality in Early
Years and Playwork
Debbie Garvey and
Andrea Lancaster
NCB 2009
ISBN: 9781905818501
This is a thoughtprovoking
resource
that allows
practitioners to
reflect on and
develop their
leadership style in
order to improve
conditions for
staff and children.
Anyone engaged with early years
can benefit from this book, from
early years professionals to
those working towards an NVQ in
childcare. This book is especially
useful to those who are working
to or aspiring to be room leaders
or supervisors, as it makes
the reader reflect on the role
leadership style has in working
with early years.
The organisation of the book’s
chapters offers detailed insight
into the different forms of
leadership, such as the leader
as a learner, enabler, mentor or
champion. Having never realised
how many diverse leadership
styles exist, the book proved to
be very interesting and really
makes the reader reflect and
acknowledge their own style of
leadership as well as the styles of
fellow colleagues.
Included in each chapter is a
reflection activity and case study
to help the reader focus on their
own learning style and ways of
helping others who work in early
years settings deal with the
daily management of working in
a team. In addition, the authors
include a literature review as
well as academic research to
explain how different techniques
can be used for developing selfawareness.
Leadership for Quality in
Early Years and Playwork is a
valuable tool in helping those
who are leading an organisation
to realise that the journey is
not a solitary one, but in fact
many have experienced similar
challenges and obstacles.
The final thought of the book
acknowledges that while times
may be difficult, chaotic or easy
and light, a good leader will always
be able to recognise and deal with
challenges and ultimately improve
the outcomes for children and
their families.
Reviewed by Sue Palmer,
Principal, Farley Outdoor
Nursery School
What’s new at the Children’s Play Information Service?
Compiled by Anna Kassman-McKerrell.
Abstracts of new arrivals are available for reference at the CPIS. These publications are not for sale
from CPIS. Photocopies of journal articles may be provided at a cost of £4 per article, subject to copyright
restrictions. Please contact CPIS for further information.
Out of school care
Wish you were here: practical
guide to setting up holiday
childcare
4Children
London: 4Children, 2010.
Guidance for schools on
developing high quality, inclusive
childcare and activities for
school-age children during school
holidays. Covers all aspects of
the process, case studies and
frequently asked questions.
www.4children.org.uk
Play – general
Better outcomes through play:
embedding the Play Strategy
locally
22
Department for Children, Schools
and Families
London: DCSF, 2010.
A scrapbook of case studies
of play provision funded by the
government’s Play Strategy.
Play and disability
The health benefits of play and
physical activity for disabled
children and young people
KIDS
London: KIDS, 2010.
Commissioned by the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence,
this briefing examines the health
benefits of play, the national
policy context, and the barriers
disabled and young children can
face in accessing play and leisure
opportunities.
www.kids.org.uk
Sensory play resource book:
making a short break a positive
experience
W Usher
London: KIDS, 2010.
Focusing on the five senses,
this resource book provides
a range of activities and
resources on sensory play. The
book contains imaginative ideas
to help playworkers and other
staff to create stimulating play
opportunities.