02/03/2026
We were honoured to be invited to participate in this consultation, organised by PlayBoard NI.
The children who attend SEN Space experience significant barriers to informal play opportunities that many of their peers take for granted. They are often unable to play independently in their neighbourhoods, call for friends, or safely access community spaces without structured support and supervision. As a result, access to high-quality afterschool provision is not simply beneficial for these children โ it is essential.
After school care for children with additional and complex needs must be recognised and sustainably funded as a critical component of inclusive community infrastructure. For many families, such services provide the only safe, appropriate and socially enriching play environment available to their child outside of school hours.
Play is fundamental to all childrenโs development. Through play, children build communication skills, social competence, emotional regulation, confidence and independence. Children with additional needs are no different in this respect; however, many require specialist support, adapted environments and skilled staff to enable them to access meaningful play experiences. Structured afterschool provision offers the consistency, predictability and tailored support necessary to help children develop friendships, learn social boundaries and practise essential life skills.
Facilities such as ours provide a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where children are supported to learn how to play, interact and build relationships at their own pace. Without targeted funding and recognition, many children with additional and complex needs would be excluded from opportunities that are central to healthy childhood development.
We are deeply committed to representing the voices of children with additional and complex needs, and to advocating on behalf of the families who rely on our services.
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐จ๐ฝ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น-๐๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ!
Are you a registered provider offering school-age childcare or the parent/carer of a school-age child? We strongly urge you to respond to the draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, to protect and promote this vital service.
Registered, play-based school-age childcare delivers vital benefits to children, families, and communities. As the NI Executive develops its Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, it is essential that the voice of the school-age childcare sector is clearly heard and meaningfully reflected in the final Strategy.
Thank you to everyone who has joined us at our consultation events over the past few weeks. The discussions have been both insightful and concerning, with several key themes emerging.
We will be providing template responses and letters to MLAs shortly. Read more at www.playboard.org/speak-up-for-school-age-childcare
The consultation closes on 24 March. Have your say and make your voice count! Go to www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-draft-executive-elc-strategy
