Nursery World - Show the way on play

Gordon Sturrock gives a good account of the issues facing those working with children (Special report, 27 January), but to my mind he does not go far enough. I recently visited a newly built children's centre in Sheffield. The staff impressed me with their skill, knowledge and passion to work with the whole child. As well as the usual childcare and nursery services there was baby massage, parent support groups, language support and a sensory room.

I recently visited a newly built children's centre in Sheffield. The staff impressed me with their skill, knowledge and passion to work with the whole child. As well as the usual childcare and nursery services there was baby massage, parent support groups, language support and a sensory room.

Wonderful, but the whole thing stopped at age five.

We know children grow at their own rates and learn about themselves, other people and the wider world in their own unique fashion; we can support that process, but it needs to be led by the child. Children don't know how to meet the targets for the Foundation and Key Stages, but they do know how to play. What we need is a system that recognises the necessity of play.

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