Nursery World - Rules around children's playgrounds should be clearer, say campaigners

Children have effectively been under ‘house arrest’ for almost a year and outdoor play is vital for their recovery, a national play organisation has stated as confusion around children using playgrounds continues.

Outdoor play is 'vital' to children's well-being and playgrounds are an essential public service for all children, play organisations have said

While families started a half-term holiday in lockdown, campaigners called for the rules in England around children’s play to be made clearer. They also warned that children’s well-being is being affected by them being unable to interact socially with other children.

Lockdown rules for Scotland and Wales explicitly state that any form of play outdoors is acceptable. In England, the official advice is that public playgrounds should be ‘primarily’ for families without gardens.

The Cabinet Office issued a statement saying, ‘Playgrounds are primarily for use by children who do not have access to private outdoor space, and while parents, guardians or carers are allowed to take children to a playground for exercise, they must not socialise with other people while there.’

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