Nursery World - Access to play spaces 'unfair' and 'unequal', finds new research

Research from the Association of Play Industries (API) reveals a ‘postcode lottery’ of free-to-access play provision, with some areas well-served and others ‘seriously deprived’ of community play facilities.

Responses to the API's Freedom of Information request revealed a 'postcode lottery' of free outdoor play provision across the UK PHOTO Adobe Stock

Based on responses to a freedom of information request by the Association of Play Industries (API), the report, shows that some UK regions have almost five-times the free-to-access play provision of others.

The API is now urging the Government to ‘level up’ the life chances of UK children by ensuring equal access for all to public play spaces. It has launched a new Equal Play campaign calling for ring-fenced Government funding for play, to enable local authorities to provide every child with a safe, high-quality playground nearby.

The Association put in a freedom of information (FOI) request to find out how many play areas exist and what local authorities’ plans are for 2020 and 2021.

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