Career Suggestion

Playworker

Playworkers help children and young people to develop their physical, social and language skills through play.

Average salary (a year)

£14500.0 to £22000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

10.0 to 25.0 variable

You could work

term time / school holidays flexibly

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need in this job. You could take a course in outdoor play and learning or a T Level in Education and Early Years.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Playworker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This usually takes around a year and a half to complete and is a mix of study and workplace learning.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Volunteering

You could volunteer to build up your experience of working with children.

You could volunteer at:

  • a playgroup
  • a school
  • an after school club
  • a holiday club
  • an adventure playground

This may lead into paid work, where you could do training on the job.

Direct Application

You can apply for playworker jobs if you're already a qualified childcare worker.

You can also do the Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork qualification to help before you apply for roles.

More Information

Career Tips

A paediatric first aid certificate will be useful but is not essential.

Further Information

You can find more advice about working in childcare from Coram PACEY and Early Years Careers .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You'll need to have a positive attitude towards children and enjoy working with them.

Day-to-day tasks

As a playworker, you could:

  • set up play areas that encourage children to develop through play
  • build strong relationships with children and respond to their needs
  • lead games, supervise children and give out refreshments
  • encourage children to express themselves and talk about their worries
  • build positive relationships with parents, carers and professionals
  • make sure children are safe and secure
  • deal with injuries and emergencies

Working environment

You could work in the community, at a school, in an NHS or private hospital or in a holiday play scheme.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear a uniform.

With experience and training, you could:

  • work as a playwork development officer for a local authority
  • become a playwork scheme supervisor, senior playworker or manager
  • move into a school as a teaching assistant
  • become self employed and set up an after school club or childcare project

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