Sector wants more play opportunities for children

The Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years’ (PACEY) childcare sector survey reveals that a priority for early years professionals 'f they could change the childcare system' would be to give children more opportunities to learn through play.

For over half of the 2,442 childcare professionals who responded to the survey, a desire to reduce the emphasis on structured learning and re-introduce a ‘more natural and open’ approach to childcare through play was more important to them than concerns about Ofsted ratings, ratios or funding.

The survey was completed by childminders, nannies and nursery practitioners and managers across England.

One respondent commented, ‘Let children be children’, while another said, ‘Take the focus away from getting children ready for school and instead believe in their natural curiosity.’

PACEY has released the early findings ahead of the full results of its childcare survey later this month.

Liz Bayram, chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY), said, ‘The fact that childcare professionals rank the importance of learning through play above all other issues, including funding of childcare, demonstrates the strength of feeling among practitioners across England.

 'It is clear most childcare professionals are very concerned that the focus has gone too far; that adult-led activities focused on supporting specific learning goals for very young children – no matter how playful – is no substitute for free flow, child-led fun.

‘The right to play is written into the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child as a fundamental, universal right; and yet in this country we have historically scored poorly in UNICEF’s surveys on children’s sense of well-being compared to other European countries – something which has been attributed by childcare experts to be in part due to a lack of opportunities to play. 

'The message we are getting loud and clear from our members is that a conscious move is now needed away from assessments and form-filling, and a return to a more child-led play-based approach for pre-school children.’

The ‘Power of Play’ is the central theme of PACEY’s spring conference, taking place on Sunday 16 May in London. Conference speakers include childcare author and president of PACEY Penny Tassoni and childcare expert Pam Jarvis. Ofsted’s deputy director of early education Gill Jones will also be answering delegates’ questions.

•  For more information about the conference click here