Reading Educational Play and Support

Alternative provision, early intervention, time-limited and part-time play placements

We offer short-term, personalised placements within our Ranger Station Alternative Provision (AP) setting, providing early intervention, assessment, observation, and targeted support for children and young people who may be experiencing challenges in accessing education. Placements are designed to be time-limited and outcome-focused, with clear objectives agreed alongside schools, families, and professionals.

Please check out the Reading Education guide for more details.

We encourage learning opportunities and social experiences through play. Children’s lives are enhanced by playing creatively, allowing for learning and development as individuals. We view play as a critical mechanism in supporting a child’s behaviour, educational resilience and confidence.

We believe play is crucial to children’s development, health and wellbeing. It also contributes a vital role in helping with a young person’s independent skills and happiness.

At Reading Play we can provide support in schools, out of school or at our Ranger Station facility. We aim to build a positive relationship with the young person and provide a fun, welcoming offer which will:

• increase self-awareness, self-esteem and support with regulating behaviour
• improve and maintain physical and mental health
• give them the opportunity to socialise, interact and build life skills
• give them access to new skills and opportunities at our Ranger Station
• give them positive role model play
• encourage inclusivity and provide opportunities to learn about environments and communities
• playing and being outside can improve connections with our environment. It can allow young people to explore and understand nature, and through active play can build coordination skills and physical development.

Achievement awards and recognition

Children attending our term-time provision have the opportunity to participate in our play curriculum achievement scheme.

Our play curriculum is built around five key areas of development. Each area is linked to the nationally recognised AQA Unit Award Scheme, allowing children and young people to gain certificates for their achievements.

When a participant completes an award, they receive:

• An official AQA Unit Award Certificate
• A Play Curriculum achievement badge

There are five badges available to collect, one for each area of the play curriculum. The areas are:

• building resilience
• ready to learn skills
• emotional and social
• life skills
• physical, self esteem and creativity

Participation is entirely voluntary, allowing each child to engage in a way that suits their interests, confidence, and personal goals.

Events & activities

Please visit us at the Ranger Station at Prospect Park. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

HAF SEND Club – Ranger Station, Prospect Park

Our offer

The HAF SEND Club is a play-based holiday programme for children aged 5–12 years (KS1–KS2). Based at the Ranger Station in Prospect Park, the club provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children can relax, play, explore, learn new skills, and build positive relationships.

The programme is designed to support children with a range of additional needs, including those with SEND, SEMH needs, anxiety, social communication differences, and children who may benefit from smaller group provision and increased levels of support.

When

The sessions will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm each Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during the Summer Holidays. Places are limited to 12 children per session to ensure a high-quality SEND provision, enabling practitioners to provide personalised support, build trusting relationships, promote emotional wellbeing, and create opportunities for children to develop confidence, resilience, social skills, executive functioning, and independence through play. The ratio is 1:3 so please ensure your young person will be happy with the activities provided and comfortable with this staff to child ratio prior to booking. Please contact us direct with any questions: Reading.play@reading.gov.uk.

Why attend?

The HAF SEND Club aims to help children:

• Make new friends and build positive relationships
• Develop confidence and self-esteem
• Improve communication and teamwork skills
• Build resilience through challenge and play
• Develop life skills and independence
• Explore new interests and hobbies
• Feel included, valued, and part of a community
• Stay active and engaged during the school holidays

Activities available

Children will have access to a wide range of inclusive, play-based activities designed to promote confidence, wellbeing, social skills, resilience, executive functioning, and healthy lifestyles.

Activities may include:

• Arts and crafts
• STEM activities and challenges
• Nature activities and environmental projects
• Nature trails and park exploration
• Low ropes and challenge activities
• Mini golf
• Tennis
• Climbing wall
• Frisbee golf
• Team games and sports
• Problem-solving and team-building activities
• Creative play and construction activities
• Sensory and wellbeing activities
• Cooking and food-based experiences

Booking information

The HAF SEND Club operates Wednesday to Friday during the Summer Holidays from the Ranger Station, Prospect Park.