Nursery World - Barry Leahey: Why playgrounds are vital to childhood development

The President of Playdale Playgrounds, which provides playground equipment, discusses the vital role that playgrounds play in facilitating positive childhood development and considers the impact public playground closures could have on children.

Barry Leahey: 'Playground design can inform and facilitate social actions.'

Between 2011 and 2023, public playground budgets fell by more than £350m. As a result, between 2013 and 2023, almost 800 public use playgrounds across the UK closed, with budget constraints commonly cited as the driving force.

Although public-use playgrounds have suffered as a result of budgetary concerns, outdoor play remains vitally important to childhood development. This kind of play informs children about the world they live in, encourages social function and teaches valuable lessons about the environment.

These dedicated areas are vital for children to safely learn how to interact with each other and the world around them – without access to play areas, positive cognitive and physical development becomes more difficult.

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