Nursery World - In my view - Throw new light on play

The play needs of children in darkened winter months have been ignored in the debate about whether or not clocks should be put back. At the end of October each year, children face a situation that worsens in the following weeks when they are unable to go out for the healthy outdoor play they need because of the early darkness.

This hour or two after school is, for many, the only sustained period they have for outdoor play. Research has shown that it is this sort of activity, coupled with walking home from school, which is the best form of exercise, trumping even organised sport in school time.

The Government ought to take up this issue seriously, for children make up 20 per cent of the population and fears about their health and exercise have grown rapidly in recent years.

Our UN Convention obligations say that a) we must put their welfare first and b) we ought to ask them their views. That is what we want to see advocates such as the Children's Commissioners put in hand soon, as to whether they feel this would benefit them.

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