Training and Support Programme – Playwork Qualifications

To support the First Minister’s vision for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) which aims to create a single, high-quality, child-centred approach to ECEC, the Welsh Government intends to deliver a Training and Support programme.

The new Training and Support programme will replace the current Progress for Success programme which came to an end in March 2023.The intention of the Training and Support programme is to provide support to the childcare and playwork workforce to continue to upskill and raise the quality of provision offered to our youngest children in Wales. One element of the Training and Support programme is the funding for key playwork qualifications.

The client is seeking expressions of interest to deliver contracts for key playwork qualifications delivered by the Training and Support programme. At this stage we are seeking interest from suppliers with the ability to deliver three playwork qualifications, namely:

• Level 2 Award in Playwork Practice, intended to provide a good foundation of knowledge of playwork, for those working in childcare or holiday play schemes.
• Playwork Principles into Practice Level 2 and 3 builds on the knowledge of L2APP offering a progression route for playworkers who work in year-round playwork settings.
• Transition Award from Early Years to Playwork Level 3 aimed at those who already hold a childcare qualification, but who need a playwork qualification for their role.

The qualifications must be delivered bilingually and flexibly, using blended methods to maximise the number of participants.

Over the 18 month period, we estimate 1,125 playwork qualifications will be undertaken and completed. It is essential that providers achieve an 85% completion on the targets stated above.

In order to offer this provision, bidders must be an accredited centre with one of the awarding bodies who offer these qualifications and have the necessary accreditation to deliver these in Wales. For further information on the awarding bodies please visit the Qualifications in Wales (QIW) website – www.qiw.wales ↗ In order to deliver the L2APP and P3 courses, each provider is also required by the awarding body to hold a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Playwork Wales, who developed the qualifications, and whose role is to ensure that they are being delivered as intended.

Please be aware suppliers must obtain all necessary certification and accreditation evidence before the tender close deadline. Currently, there is no time allocated to obtain the required accreditation by the contract commencement, but bidders will need to confirm this with their chosen awarding body / accreditation centre prior to bidding.

We anticipate the tender will be published in Spring 2023, awarding contracts in Summer 2023 to start in September / October 2023. Further detail on the requirement and evaluation criteria for each contract will be made available in the tender documentation.

We are only seeking interest from suppliers who can provide the services required so please only register interest if you can meet the criteria and obtain the evidence outlined in this notice. Please register your interest to bid for the contract via this notice on sell2wales.