Nursery World - Disabled children missing out on the chance to play

More than half of disabled children have been turned away by early years settings, according to a new report.

Findings from a three-month public inquiry into play opportunities for disabled children under five, chaired by former education and employment secretary David Blunkett, highlight how disabled children with multiple needs often face barriers to play.

Nine out of ten parents that submitted evidence to the inquiry felt that their disabled child misses out on play opportunities, and eight out of ten parents said it was difficult to access mainstream play groups and local play opportunities.

Two hundred parents of disabled children contributed to the inquiry, alongside 150 other play professionals, academics and policymakers.

The inquiry report by the national deafblind charity Sense found that despite clear duties in the Equality Act 2010, 51 per cent of children have been intentionally excluded from play opportunities by play providers.

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