Developing School Age Childcare - Department of Children and ...

9.8.2 Children, especially older children, will naturally seek out opportunities for risk takingwhile at play. Play is therefore to be seen as an essential method of teaching a child howto assess and take calculated risks. Risk taking can be essential to the development of achild’s confidence and abilities both in childhood and later life.9.8.3 A quality school aged childcare facility should therefore respond by creating an excitingand stimulating environment that balances risks in an appropriate manner. Staff musthowever of course understand the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable risksand must ensure that the children in the school aged setting are not exposed tounacceptable risks. Staff need to be aware that learning new skills involves an elementof risk and must be capable of exercising their judgement about the level of risk that isacceptable and appropriate and also to exercise their judgement as to when it isnecessary to intervene to prevent potentially harmful situations.9.8.4 By having an element of risk in play, children will learn that things do not always workout right - sometimes things can go wrong but with the right support, they can perhapsbe put right again or at least learn to live with the mistake. An example of play whichhas an element of risk-taking would be woodwork, the use of needles for sewing/clothesdesign projects or the use of electrical equipment for cooking.9.8.5 The Working Group recommends that risk taking in the school age childcare settingshould be accommodated under circumstances which could include:good practice;appropriate supervision;awareness of the child’s capabilities;appropriate activities;communication and trust between the parents and the provider as well as thechild and provider;relevant training and qualifications for the activity provider;risk assessment for purposeful activity; andappropriate insurance coverage.9.9 Other Aspects of the School Age Childcare Programme - Inter-culturalism andDiversity9.9.1 Much has already been written about the importance of respecting diversity in childcarein Ireland. The P2000 Expert Working Group noted that“The provision of childcare in Ireland must acknowledge and appreciate the value ofdiversity in Irish society.” 679.9.2 The views of the P2000 Expert Working Group are equally relevant to the school agechildcare setting and accordingly the Working Group on School Age Childcare endorsesthese views and considers it appropriate to quote them for the consideration of thereader of the present Report:“The childcare environment must reflect a diverse inter-cultural and anti-discriminatoryapproach. There should be a wide range of appropriate equipment and images reflectingthe background of all children including Travellers and children from other ethnicminority groups. Practices should reflect an approach which does not distinguishbetween children on the basis of gender. It should also provide an accessible and safe70 67 Expert Working Group : ibid. : Page 47 et seq.