I have been an Active Club Tutor since the early days in 2003, when it was first introduced, and the impact that the training has never ceases to amaze me. Participants on courses have included playworkers from a variety of settings including schools, after school clubs, holiday playschemes, sports colleges and Play Rangers.
Torbay Council’s Torbay Early Years & Childcare Service organised the most recent course at a unique venue – Paignton Zoo. I don’t suppose many tutors, when going through housekeeping, have to announce that if participants hear a loud claxon sound they must stay in the training room because there could be an escaped animal at large! On the latest course was a mixture of holiday playscheme workers, a playworker from a special needs playscheme and Meal Time Assistants from primary schools.
The training is a joy to deliver and always well received. It gives the participants a chance to reflect on current practice around physical activity and a chance to plan for the future. Increasing physical activity and promoting quality play opportunities in Out of School clubs and schools are high on the agenda for the Early Years play team. This recent course resulted in a lot of participants introducing a specific time of day at their setting to be active, and it gives named adults and the children a choice of cards to use. The packs add to the professional approach and are popular with adults and children alike. The cards are easy to use and adapt, and give participants a wealth of ideas. An important part of the session is to get participants to organise and use Active club cards. I do this by pairing participants up and getting them to deliver an Active Club card (sometimes two if time allows) to the rest of the participants. This instils confidence and shows how easy the cards are to use in a short space of time. This part of the training is usually after a nice lunch, provided by Torbay EY&CS.
In terms of impact, more physical activity does go on and children and adults have more fun and enjoyment at their settings. The training also reminds participants of games they used to play but had forgotten, and as they have had fun themselves they feel they are more likely to pass this enjoyment on. The Hoola Hoop Pass has probably been played in every school in Torbay!
Judith McMahon
Active Clubs Tutor
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