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Childhood obesity, poor mental health and sleep problems linked to playground decline
It asked parents about their children’s outdoor play and indoor screen time habits and revealed their growing concerns over children’s activity levels and the shift from outdoor play to indoor screen time. It follows previous API research which uncovered an alarming decline in public playground provision due to local authority budget cuts. Mark Hardy, API Chair, said: “Most of the parents surveyed say that playgrounds are vital in getting children outdoors and active again.
“Free, outdoor play is absolutely crucial to normal development. We are in danger of leaving entire communities without anywhere for children to play. “Couple this with the dominance of digital culture and the strong inducement it creates for children to stay indoors – inactive and alone for hours – children are facing a crisis with dire consequences for their mental and physical health.” The Play Must Stay campaign is calling for urgent investment in playgrounds before they disappear for good. “There is a national crisis going on all around us,” said Mark.
“The savings made now in cutting play budgets will cost the taxpayer far more in the longer term. The decline in community playgrounds is a significant factor in creating
Huge step forward for landscape apprenticeships Landscape apprenticeships in England are a step closer following government approval of two new apprenticeship standards.
into the landscape profession, teaching candidates the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are reflective of modern-day practice.
The next stage of the journey is The new standards provide to seek government approval of a.LAPU viable alternative pathway the apprenticeship Banner 4GCS_LAPU Strip 19/08/2019 11:23 Pageassessment 1
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methods, and to submit funding quotes from universities and colleges for the delivery of landscape apprenticeships. The government will use these quotes to set the maximum funding that will be available for each apprentice. Landscape Institute
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New app to help get plaudits for the pitch
Spotlight on the latest equipment
The Premier League, The Football Association (FA) and the Government’s Football Foundation are ramping up efforts to improve the quality of grass pitches in England with the launch of the Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community app.
The Landscape Technician (Level 3) and Chartered Landscape Professional (Level 7) standards received approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education earlier this month. Supported and facilitated by the Landscape Institute (LI), the apprenticeships have been developed by a group of 20 employers from across the landscape sector.
a generation of children experiencing obesity, mental health problems and sleep difficulties.”
The survey of 1,111 parents with children aged between 2 and 12 has revealed: • 72% of parents of children with health issues such as obesity said that the lack of outdoor play facilities in their area has played a role in their children’s problems. • Over a quarter of parents surveyed with children experiencing mental health problems said that the lack of outdoor play facilities in their area has played a role in their children’s difficulties. • 26% of parents with children who have sleep problems say that a lack of outdoor play facilities in their area has played a role in their children’s sleep difficulties.
The new platform provides a resource of expert advice for grounds staff, enabling them to connect with peers, discover new tips and tricks and share advice on best industry practice. Users can seek guidance from the Institute of Groundsmanship’s (IOG) Regional Pitch Advisors, who are available to answer
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questions and update members on changes to industry standards. The system is entirely free to use and will feature regular new content, with videos from highprofile groundskeepers, such as Wembley Stadium’s Karl Standley, case studies and the latest in groundskeeping techniques. Developed in partnership with the IOG and run through Hive Learning, the site represents the latest step of the Football Foundation’s grass pitch strategy, which aims to ensure every affiliated football fixture in England is played on a quality football pitch. IOG
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The survey was carried out by Mumsnet – the UK’s biggest website for parents – and commissioned by the Association of Play Industries (API).
The overwhelming majority of UK children live in urban areas. For these children, and particularly those in the most disadvantaged areas, public playgrounds are their only chance for outdoor play.
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New research with parents shows the devastating impact that the sharp decline in outdoor play facilities is having on their children’s physical and mental health.