In2play Community Interest Company

In2play is an independent community interest, not for profit organisation established for the benefit of the community.
The company brings together a team of professional and experienced play workers and early years educators in a focused and co-ordinated way.
In2play CiC is designed to enable and support the development of opportunities for children and young people 0 – 13 years to learn, play and grow.

We aim to achieve:

Improvement in the quality of life of children and young people

  • Improved well being
  • A raised awareness and understanding of the rights of the child
  • Increased skills for participants, parents and staff
  • An upskilled play work force through provision of accredited and non-accredited training courses and qualifications

The way we do this is to:

  • Secure funding to ensure a sustainable way of delivering
  • neighbourhood, community focused play
  • Establish partnership opportunities
  • Increase participation
  • Provide inclusive provision which meets the needs of diverse communities
  • Enable parents to feel supported in accessing and engaging in opportunities with their children
  • Provide challenging, stimulating and safe activities and environments
  • Support national and local events which raise the profile of play and Playwork

The component parts of In2play’s delivery of this are:

Adventure Playground

East Sussex was selected as a Play Pathfinder local authority. In2play have worked with Hastings Borough Council to develop the first Adventure Playground in Hastings. The staffed Adventure Playground has indoor and outdoor facilities, specifically aimed at improving access to natural and challenging play opportunities for 8 – 13 year olds. The play site is situated in the Ore Valley area of Hastings. The Adventure Playground is open two evenings, weekends and during school holidays. It is open to all children and young people who can come and go as they choose. This is also the base of our ofsted outstanding outdoor preschool.

Family Drop – ins

Free, fun play sessions for families with children under 5 years of age. At these sessions we offer a range of age and developmentally appropriate activities. These activities are based on holistic play principles. Alongside the play, children are offered a healthy snack and outdoor play is encouraged.

In2play ‘Out of School Provision’

A unique, open access free play provision based at two community venues for children aged 5-11 years. The purpose of the provision is to provide staffed play opportunities for children in the absence of their parents. Children are not restricted in their movements, other than where related to safety matters and with parental consent are not prevented from coming and going as and when they wish within the session times. Children have the freedom of choice as to what range of play activity they wish to undertake and with whom they play. In2play provides a space where children can learn and develop through play with the freedom of opportunity to play by themselves or with others in environments that are stimulating, exciting and full of challenge whilst being free from inappropriate risk.

In2play Mobile Play Service

Play workers facilitate play sessions out on the street in a variety of locations across Hastings. The sessions support innovative play in local neighbourhoods in partnership with local families, enabling the creative use of play equipment and materials. In addition we develop ‘take away’ play at home packs with children and young people. The play sessions encourage an environment, which is inclusive, non-stigmatising, befriending and informative for all involved. The ethos of the project recognises the common characteristics of play- that play is personally directed, self chosen and that it needs to be fun, free and flexible.

In2play ‘Training’

We can devise and deliver all kinds of training events: short workshops, full-length courses or larger seminars and conferences’

In2play Consultancy

In2play consultancy concentrates on identifying play and neighbourhood need and helping to meet this need. In2play CiC works with play and early year’s services, statutory sector, community groups, the arts and anyone wanting to work creatively with children. We offer hands-on training, creative children’s consultations and research for agencies, organisations and individuals working with children. In2play work in partnership with others to design projects that encourage expression and participation. We encourage adults and children to work in partnership and we support organisations in developing new approaches to working with children. We actively support children to participate in planning and decision making.

In2play ‘Events and Initiatives’

In2play provides a variety of local community and neighbourhood events and also supports larger events and initiatives which aim to raise the profile of play and its importance.

In2play Staff Team

In2play currently employs 26 staff. We are an equal opportunities employer. We recognise our staff as our most important resource. We see training and staff development as vital in ensuring quality delivery of services.

Ofsted

The 2019 Ofsted Inspection Report – Ofsted Registration Number: EY554127

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