The Youth Sport Trust has always recognised the importance of starting early in providing opportunities for young children to be active.
The current early years programmes –Top Tots and Top Start – have been reviewed and the new early years programme Start to play was officially launched in April 2008. The programme will focus on all young children between the ages of 0-5 years and will support and complement the key objectives in the new Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
There will be a number of exciting programmes within Start to play. So watch this space for more information!
In the last few months, we have been piloting Playzone, our early years outdoor play programme. Playzone is a new project designed to provide creative and innovative outdoor play opportunities for children within early years settings such as nurseries, pre-school and children’s centres.
“Now they (the children) ask everyday when are we going in the garden which they never did before,” Early Years Assistant, Woodcot.
“They’re definitely more active. It’s quite interesting when we put the dressing up on there (the stage) and the boogie box up with it you always get the children who are more upfront than others up there, and I’ve noticed a lot of the quieter ones will come to join in as well,” Pre-School Nursery Manager
"Children have the advantage of having constant access to the outdoor area which has recently been extended and refurbished to provide them with a spacious and attractive space where they take part in activities that cover all areas of learning." Page 3: Ofsted Inspection Report on Woodcot Community Pre-School, 27th September 2007.
Available now:
- New and innovative Start to play equipment, including the Five A Day (healthy eating) activity pack
- Come and Play with Fizz and Friends story book and activity cards series
- Parent Resource Pack
- Start to play training opportunities
- CD story narrated by Denise Lewis
- Participation Award pack and wallchart
Denise Lewis is the ambassador for the early years programme. Being a former athlete and currently a mum to two young children, Denise recognises the importance of young children being active, enjoying themselves and learning through play.
Play is the magic ingredient of childhood, and the Youth Sport Trust Start to play programme will ensure that every child has the opportunity to play and have fun!
How to access Start to play
We are currently accepting advance orders for Start to play. For further information on what it contains click here to download the programme flyer.
Books and resources will be available from our website www.YSTdirect.org.
Early years settings should order their bag of equipment directly from our supplier – Bishop Sport and Leisure via their website www.bishopsport.co.uk or by telephoning 01753 648666 and quote product SE1047.
From June 2008 Start to play at home will also be available for individuals to order. Along with all the constituent parts of Start to play at our web shop www.YSTdirect.org.
For further information on how to access all other Youth Sport Trust programme please contact the Youth Sport Trust on: 01509 226600 or visit: www.youthsporttrust.org
Training
Training is not compulsory for Start to play and trainers already familiar with the previous TOP Tots and TOP Start will be able to use the new Start to play resources and equipment to support their existing training.
The Youth Sport Trust are exploring Start to play training opportunities to enhance the use of the new resources for those unfamiliar with Youth Sport Trust programmes.
For more information about local Early Years training opportunities that may be available through your Local Authority please contact your Local Delivery Agency in the first instance. Click here to find their contact details.
Start to play at home
To support early years settings and families working with individual children or small groups a smaller Start to play at home package will be available from June 2008.
N.B. What this will look like and how much it will cost we do not yet know but we include a paragraph on this page for people to access.