Nursery World - All about the role of ... outdoor play development officer

Anne Hayes looks at a job that gets you out of doors and supporting children's play

Independent playwork consultant Marc Armitage sums up this field by saying - 'Playwork is a highly skilled profession that enriches and enhances children's play. It takes place where adults support children's play but it is not driven by prescribed education or care outcomes.'

The playwork profession has its roots in the 1950s when a number of unconnected community play projects and adventure playgrounds sprang up around the country. By the early 1980s, provision began to snowball with open-access holiday play schemes, adventure playgrounds, double decker play buses, after-school clubs, play resource centres and equipment loan services. Across the country, groups began networking and this led to the development of the profession we recognise today.

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