Blog - Nursery Talk

Playskill – who are they and what do they do?

Playskill are a local charity based in Watford and Hemel Hempstead which offer free parent and child playgroups.  The playgroups are for pre-school children with special physical needs or developmental delay, they also provide support for parents and the wider family.

What do Playskill do?
The group sessions Playskill offer use play as a tool for development – while the children are having fun they are also learning to stand, eat, communicate and walk.  These children have a wide range of disabilities and due to this they all receive one-to-one support to ensure the best possible chance to thrive.  The groups are for children aged 1 – 5 and their families who will receive expert support from a Paediatric Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapists.

How Playskill help
Playskill’s early intervention work helps to give children with disability or delay the best possible chance to gain skills at an early age that will allow them to reach their full potential. Play plays a vital part in achieving this and can help to develop movement, speech, sensory and social skills.  Playskill provide local children with structured play opportunities and support.  They also provide practical and emotional support to parents and their families who often report high levels of stress and isolation.  Playskill work in partnership with local families and are able to offer access to a wide support network through sessions, parental training, events, social activities and outings for the all the family.  

Where Playskill work
Currently Playskill offer four sessions each week in Watford and Hemel Hempstead, taking up to 8 children per group.  They have a growing waiting list of children wishing to join the groups but without additional funds and donations they aren’t able to increase the number of sessions offered.

Cost of services
Playskill rely on grants and donations to be able to provide specialist sessions and equipment that children need.  Some examples of costs are:

• A specialist chair including accessories costs approximately £500
• A switch operated bubble machine costs approximately £100
• A vibrating fibre optic light sensory switch toy costs approximately £130

Boys & Girls Nursery are raising much needed funds for Playskill throughout the year through various events.  However, if you would like further information or are interested in supporting Playskill with a donation please visit  www.playskill.org