According to a new report issued last week by the Institute of Welsh Affairs, seven centres are now fully operational, but all are still in the process of planning the core element of open access play, which provides play opportunities for children up to 15.
Nine more centres will be up and running by September, six more by December and a further seven in 2006.
Open access play is one of the four core services required for a centre to be considered fully integrated. It distinguishes Welsh provision from similar centres in other parts of the UK. The other elements are early education, childcare and community development and training.
Gill Evans, information officer for Play Wales, said, 'Part of the problem is that there wasn't very clear guidance about what was required in terms of open access play, or even what it is. Some of the people who put in the first applications interpreted it in their own way. Our definition of open access play is staffed provision where children have access to play opportunities, rather than set activities, and where they can make arrangements to come and go when they want.'
Her criticism is reflected in the report, which cites problems in sustaining open access play provision and the limited practical experience in this area of early years practitioners. The report calls for 'better guidance, discussion and co-ordination in areas without a history of voluntary sector involvement'.
In Swansea an open access play facility will start in Penlan by the summer, followed by an integrated children's centre. Ben Greenaway of PlayRight said, 'It will be a space children can call their own. They will be able to experience the elements of air, water and fire, with opportunities for them to take risks incrementally.'
Integrated centres are financed with 11m capital funding from the Big Lottery Fund and 34m from the Welsh Assembly government's Pupil Support Division. Additional finance comes from Cymorth, the Children and Youth Support Fund Scheme, which centres must use to get funds for open access play.
Copies of Integrated Centres in Wales: development and implementation are available for 10 plus p&p from the Institute of Welsh Affairs on 029 206 0863 or www.iwa.org.uk.
