Catch up on this month's play news roundup, including opportunities to join #TeamPlayBoard and our survey on business support needs for school-age childcare providers. 👉 us7.campaign-archive.com?u=de6cc7455c...

Interested in joining #TeamPlayBoard? 🤩 Help us make a real difference to children & young people across NI through the power of play! We're recruiting: 🟣 SEN Inclusive Play Development Officer 🟣 OUR Generation Project Administrator 🟣 Volunteer Board Member/Trustee 👉 www.playboard.org/jobs

School-Age Childcare Business Support Needs Survey SAC providers in Northern Ireland - your input is important. Find out more and complete our short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SACBusinessSupport26

𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴! We have two great opportunities to join our team: 🟣 SEN Inclusive Play Development Officer 🟣 OUR Generation Project Administrator For further details go to www.playboard.org/jobs Closing date: Friday 4 September 2026 at 5:00pm

𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿/𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 We are seeking enthusiastic, committed, and forward-thinking individuals to join our voluntary Board of Trustees. Visit www.playboard.org/volunteer-board-member-trustee-opportunity Closing date: Monday 14 September 2026 at 4:00pm.

Join our FREE online information session on financial support available to working parents in Northern Ireland. 🟣 25 August, 12-1pm 🟣 26 August, 7-8pm Delivered by Employers For Childcare, the session is suitable for parents and childcare providers. Book: pbfinancialsupport0826.eventbrite.co.uk

The latest edition of Play Nation Magazine is out now, including an article on our Inclusive Play programme and input from Alan Herron, PlayBoard CEO, on rethinking inclusion through the lens of play value. playnation.uk/magazine/?mc...

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆! 🎉 Check out our new resource to help you build playful moments into every day. View the PDF at www.playboard.org/resources/playful-playday-adventures-2026 #Playday2026 #PlayEverywhere

Today, as children, young people, and families across the UK celebrate #Playday2026, PlayBoard is calling on everyone to champion children’s right to play and help build a more playful NI where every child can thrive. 👉 www.playboard.org/latest-news

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! 🎉 Join us tomorrow in celebrating the power of play - share our poster and show your support for every child's right to play! Find out more about #Playday2026 at www.playboard.org/playday-2026-theme-announced #PlayEverywhere

Read our monthly roundup in July's E-Play including how you can get involved in #Playday2026 and fun #SummerOfPlay ideas from our Inclusive Play team. 👉 us7.campaign-archive.com?u=de6cc7455c...

Just 1️⃣ week to go until #Playday2026 on 5 August! Find out how you can get involved on our website: www.playboard.org/playday-2026-theme-announced #PlayEverywhere #SummerOfPlay 🎉🪁

Just 2️⃣ weeks to go until #Playday2026 on 5 August! 🎉 Visit www.playboard.org/playday-2026-theme-announced to download posters and find summer events in your local Council area. ☀️ For #SummerOfPlay ideas and activities visit our website: www.playboard.org/play-activities 🪁

𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 - Childcare Partnership training delivered by PlayBoard 🟣 Thursday 10 & 17 September 2026, 6.30–9.30pm 🟣 Thursday 14 & 21 January 2027, 6.30–9.30pm Delivered online, this introductory course provides a foundation in the principles, values, and practice of playwork.

Just 4️⃣ weeks to go until we celebrate #Playday2026 across the UK! ☀️ On 5 August, children, families, and communities will go out to play and have fun. 🎉 For ideas and activities check out our 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 from previous years at www.playboard.org/resources/playful-playday-adventures

Catch up on the latest play news in this month's E-Play, including: 🎉 #InternationalDayOfPlay wrap-up 🪁 Inclusive Play project launch with @education-ni.gov.uk ☀️ New Inclusive Play Summer Calendar 📖 Latest on the ELC Strategy Consultation 👉 us7.campaign-archive.com?u=de6cc7455c...

Reminder - the closing date for our 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 vacancy is Friday 26 June at 12:00pm. 👉 Go to www.playboard.org/were-hiring-play-development-officer

Two great opportunities for schools, SAC settings & community groups to apply for our FREE programmes 🟣 From Sept '26: 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲 ~ 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 For children aged 9-11 across NI & border counties of ROI 🟣 From Jan '27: 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 For children aged 4-9 in Belfast www.playboard.org/projects

Inspired by the #InternationalDayOfPlay? Join #TeamPlayBoard! We're recruiting a Play Development Officer. Go to www.playboard.org/were-hiring-play-development-officer Closing date: Friday 26 June at 12:00pm

On #InternationalDayOfPlay, Katherine, PlayBoard’s Regional Coordinator for School-Age Childcare, spent the day with CCLD students and lecturers at Northern Regional College. The group enjoyed hands-on practical experiences that brought learning to life with plenty of fun and creativity! #IDOP2026

Whether it’s a simple game, a bedtime story or a shared laugh, play shapes how children grow and experience the world. This #InternationalDayofPlay, let’s come together to protect play and protect childhood. What is your child’s favourite playtime activity?

Happy and healthy childhoods are built on play. Yet for millions, conflict, climate disasters and shrinking play spaces leave nowhere safe to run, laugh, or simply be children. This #InternationalDayofPlay, let’s commit to protecting every child’s right to play. https://unicef.link/47YcrW5

International Day of Play

Help us make sure that every child everywhere can fulfil their right to play

unicef.link

PlayBoard NI & IPA NI launch new report on play deprivation to mark #InternationalDayOfPlay. The publication was launched at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, where Alan Herron, PlayBoard CEO, & Jacqueline O’Loughlin, IPA NI Chair, were joined by Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly & Joanne Bunting .

On the eve of the #InternationalDayOfPlay, Alan Herron, PlayBoard CEO, is joining colleagues from across the four nations at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play, taking place in the House of Commons. Alan will update on our work towards a Play Strategy for Northern Ireland. #IDOP2026

Statement from Alan Herron, Chief Executive, PlayBoard NI

Calling all schools across Ireland - are you ready for #InternationalDayOfPlay? 🎉 We've joined play organisations across the UK and Ireland to share the Play 31 Challenge - to encourage more time for play in the school day.

Do you work with children aged 4-9 in the #Belfast area? Join us for a fun-filled journey into the world of emotions with #PlayfulMinds, our FREE programme that supports children's mental health, well-being and resilience through the power of play. 👉 www.playboard.org/resources/playful-minds

#TeamPlayBoard had a welcome opportunity to showcase Spaces to Be ~ @ourgeneration.bsky.social to Nick Mathison MLA, Chair of the Education Committee, this week. Nick joined us at yesterday's event, where we celebrated the new Play Champions from Glasswater PS & St Joseph's PS, Crossgar.

We were delighted to join @education-ni.gov.uk Minister Paul Givan at Stepping Stones Playgroup this morning for the launch of the Inclusive Play Programme. www.playboard.org/education-minister-launches-inclusive-play-programme-transforming-learning-environments-in-schools

Education Minister launches Inclusive Play Programme transforming learning environments in schools

Education Minister Paul Givan has officially launched the Inclusive Play Programme, as part of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Reform Delivery Plan, during a visit to Stepping Stones Playgroup at ...

playboard.org

Excitement is building ... are you ready for the International Day of Play? Just 1 week to go! Inspired by Article 31 of UNCRC - the right to play - check out our NEW 31 summer play ideas. ☀️ 👉 www.playboard.org/get-ready-for-international-day-of-play-11-june