The importance of play

Play is vital for children’s healthy development. Play is a cross-cutting agenda, with many different agencies and services in all sectors having an impact on children’s play, but not a responsibility for it.

A play strategy has been developed to establish a method of co-ordinating the planning and delivery of play opportunities across all services for Nottinghamshire children.

This strategy focuses on play and recreational activities for children and young people aged five to 14, and 16 years for children with additional needs. The age ranges either side of this are covered by the Early Years Strategy and the Young People’s Green Paper.

The document has been produced following consultation with Nottinghamshire children about how, where and with whom they like to play. Carers and play practitioners were asked what they identified as the elements essential for good quality play activities.

From these consultations the values and aims contained within this policy have been developed.

Play strategy [DOC 170KB]