LET’S PLAY
A STRATEGY FOR EARLY LEARNING
AND CHILDCARE SERVICES
2017 - 2020
Let’s Play
Our Ambition
“South Ayrshire - the best place to grow, learn and play”
Our Vision
‘Our children and young people in Early Learning and Childcare have the best possible life
chances’.
Foreword
“I am delighted to introduce our Play Strategy.
This Play Strategy demonstrates a strong commitment to
improving play opportunities for all our children and
recognises the importance of play as an essential
ingredient in contributing to and enriching the lives of
children and families.
“Play is the universal
language of
childhood. It is
through play that
children understand
each other and make
sense of the world
around them.” Play
Strategy for
Scotland 2013
I believe that the commitment to play in South Ayrshire across agencies will not only benefit our
children of today but our children of the future.”
Douglas Hutchison - Director of Educational Services
“Play is vital from the early stages of brain development and bonding with parents and carers, and
promotes independence and autonomy for the teenage years.”
Play is the universal language of childhood, it is an activity which exists for its own sake but also
has a fundamental role. All children and young people should have the opportunity to play every
day and I am delighted to present Scotland’s first National Play Strategy.
Aileen Campbell - MSP Minister for Children and Young People (Play Strategy for Scotland
2013)
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Consultation
Background - Following the launch of the national Play Strategy for Scotland in June 2013, South
Ayrshire Council are committed to ensuring children and young people have access to a range of
safe, stimulating play environments and activities.
Purpose – To develop a Play Strategy for South Ayrshire Early Learning and Childcare Services
Consultation period: August 2016 – December 2016
Consultation methods:
 Focus group
 Survey Monkey for parents/carers and services/organisations
 Children/Young People questionnaire
 Stakeholder meetings
Consultation responses:
 Agencies – 15
 Parents/carers – 14
 Children - 70
All consultation findings can be found at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/childcare or by emailing
[email protected]
Plans to address results of consultation:The Play Strategy will incorporate areas identified by children and young people, parents/carers
and services/organisations within the consultation
We will provide ½ hour quality physical activity indoors and out each day. Outdoor play will be
promoted and staff supported to engage children in these types of activities.
The Play Strategy will outline a plan to engage children and parents/carers in a range of play
experiences indoors and outdoors that stretch children’s imagination, creativity and allows them to
assess their own risks.
We plan to increase the availability of free play sessions for parents/carers to engage with their
children and offer more play experiences within Early Learning & Childcare Services.
Staff will engage in a programme of training to support play in South Ayrshire including the
development of leadership skills.
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Introduction
Early Learning and Childcare Services recognise the importance of providing stimulating play
experiences and opportunities for children and young people. We are committed to enhancing the
quality and quantity of current and future play provision.
The purpose of this 3 year play strategy is to increase children’s access to a wide range of play
opportunities across South Ayrshire communities. This strategy encompasses play for all children
in all types of environments.
Play
Play is fundamental to
children’s development
and learning. It is how
children make sense of
the world around them
and enables children to
explore, create, destroy,
act out situations, destress, have fun, discover
and learn. Play is a child’s
right. (Article 31 UN
Convention of the Rights
of the Child)
This strategy highlights the right of children to play. Our ambition
is that South Ayrshire Early Learning and Childcare services
recognise the importance of play and the positive impact that
quality play experiences have on children.
In meeting children’s play needs and aspirations we will work with
partners and key stakeholders to coordinate child focussed play
opportunities, promote equality and involve children and young
people in the development of play areas within Early Learning and
Childcare services.
The Importance of Play
South Ayrshire Council Early Learning and Childcare believe that play is central to children’s
physical, social and emotional wellbeing. It is through this belief that the provision of quality play
for children should be freely chosen, self-directed and intrinsically motivating. It is vital that
services provide children with a range of play opportunities such as:
Natural Play
Access to
weathers and
natural
materials
Risky
Opportunities
to assess and
take risks
Sensory
Taste, smell,
sound, touch
and sight
Open
Provision of
open ended
materials
Acting out
Dressing up
and role play
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Where can we play?
South Ayrshire has a wealth of places and spaces for
children to play including parks, outdoor equipped play
areas, open green spaces, beaches, woodlands, safe
streets, playgrounds, leisure centres, community facilities
and clubs.
This strategy will focus our resources on where we can
develop and improve play environments for children and
young people.
“Play, intrinsically
rewarding, doesn’t
cost anything; as soon
as you put a price on
it, it becomes, to some
extent, not play.”
Stephen
Nachmanovitch
Getting it Right for Every Child
South Ayrshire supports Early Learning and Childcare providers to take a positive approach to risk
in order to achieve the best outcomes for children. This support enables children to be safe,
healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included.
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Our Approach
IN THE HOME
Our homes
and family
environments
are nurturing
places where
children and
young people
are included
and enjoy play
appropriate to
their ages and
stages of
development.
IN OUR
COMMUNITY
Play is valued,
encouraged
and
supported.
All children
and young
people in
Early
Learning and
Childcare
Services will
be supported
to be
responsible
and have
sufficient time
and space to
play safely
within their
communities.
IN EARLY
LEARNING
AND
CHILDCARE
All children and
young people in
Early Learning
and Childcare
services enjoy
high quality
healthy and
active play
experiences.
Children have
opportunities
to access the
natural world
on a daily basis
and child-led
play is
respected.
SUPPORTING
PLAY
LEARNING
Early Learning
and Childcare
provides
positive
support for
play through
the upskilling
of staff to
create a
professional
workforce with
a strong
visionary
leadership.
Our Priorities






Improve opportunities for outdoor and indoor play.
Increase parental confidence when playing and interacting with children indoors or outdoors
and promote cost effective play resources and activities.
Improve children’s ability to assess and manage risks in order to play safely.
Develop and embed universal play programmes across Early Learning and Childcare services.
Improve staff knowledge and skills, attitudes and beliefs about the role and importance of play.
Increase and develop awareness of the impact of play on the wider environment.
“The right to play is a child’s
first claim on the community.
Play is nature’s training for
life. No community can
infringe that right without
enduring harm to the minds
and bodies of its citizens.”
Let the Children, Play
David Lloyd George, 1926
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Outcome: In the Home - Children will be nurtured and experience a positive play environment
which will stretch their imagination and creativity.
Impact: Our parents and carers will be more confident to facilitate play opportunities in the home
and family environment. Staff will be skilled, knowledgeable and confident to engage with parents,
carers and families to support when required.
What are we trying to achieve?
Key Actions
Staff will have improved knowledge and
skills, attitudes and beliefs about the
role of play in improving outcomes for
children and the role of staff in the
provision of support tailored to meeting
the needs of families
Parents will report they are confident
when playing and engaging with their
children after attending play sessions
indoors and outdoors
Parents will use cost effective
resources to engage their children in
play
Lead
Officer
By
When
Provide staff with
skills to develop
their knowledge
including training,
research and
mentoring
programmes
Embed universal
play programmes
within Early
Learning and
Childcare
Services
including
play@home and
Bookbug
EYT
(Early
Years
Team)
2019
EYT
2017 2020
Develop play
sessions indoors
and outdoors with
parents
EYT
Provide
information on
learning through
play via website
and social media
Provide
information on
play
activities/events
in local area via
website and
social media
Develop user
friendly
information and
guidance on cost
effective
resources
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How will we know
95% of staff will
be confident and
knowledgeable
about the benefits
of play
80% of Early
Learning and
Childcare Services
delivering Bookbug
70% delivering
Play@home
75% delivering Stay
and Play
2017 2020
90% of participating
parents report on a
scale of 8 and above
75% increase of hits
on website and social
media
75% increase of hits
on website and social
media
EYT
2019
90% of participating
parents utilising cost
effective resources
Outcome: In Early Learning & Childcare - Children and young people have time and space to
enable them to play in a range of indoor and outdoor environments including contact with nature.
Impact: More children will play more often in outdoor spaces including green open spaces, parks
and safe streets. Children and young people will be able to find clean, safe and welcoming spaces
to play and gather near their homes.
What are we trying to achieve?
Key Actions
All children have outdoor places to
engage in outdoor play which includes
contact with the local natural
environment
Develop outdoor
play within Early
Learning and
Childcare to include
local environment
including parks,
beaches,
woodlands and
open spaces
Lead By When
Officer
EYT
10 x expansion and
refurbishment of
outdoor play areas
within Local
Authority Early
Years Centres
Local Authority and partnership Early
Learning and Childcare Services will
report that children will have access to
a minimum of ½ hour quality physical
activity indoors and out each day
Parents who attend PEEP (Parents as
Early Educators Programme) report
increased confidence to support
learning and engage with their child,
knowledge of child development,
recognise improvements in their child’s
literacy skills and play
How will we know
2020
95% of Early
Learning and
Childcare Services
will report that
children have access
to safe free play
including contact with
the natural
environment
Sept
2019
100% of children
attending Local
Authority Early Years
Centres will have
access to appropriate
outdoor play areas
All Early Learning
and childcare
services provide a
minimum of ½ hour
of vigorous physical
play outdoors
EYT
Dec
2017
100% of children
have access to a
minimum of ½ hour
quality physical
activity indoors and
out each day
PEEP training
EYT
August
2019
90% of parents will
report an increased
confidence to support
learning and engage
with their child,
knowledge of child
development,
recognise
improvements in their
child’s literacy skills
and play
All parents of
children aged 3 – 4
years have
opportunities to
access PEEP biannually
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Outcome: Supporting Play and Learning - Children enjoy and are actively involved in learning
through spontaneous play opportunities including developmentally appropriate sensory play which
is well planned for to support purposeful play.
Impact: Warm responsive relationships provide a positive environment for play and learning.
What are we trying to achieve?
Key Actions
Early Learning and Childcare staff will
be confident in engaging with children
to develop positive play experiences
that are self-motivated, intrinsically
rewarding and freely chosen
Play training
courses provided
Lead By When
Officer
EYT
2017
2018
2019
2020
How will we know
50 staff trained
2017
70 in 2018
70 in 2019
70 in 2020
Leadership
programme of
training provided
2017
2018
2019
2020
15 staff trained
2017
15 in 2018
15 in 2019
15 in 2020
Implement training
on ‘The principles of
play’
2018
2019
2020
30 staff trained by
2018
60 in 2019
60 in 2020
Provision of a balanced approach to
risks and benefits when designing and
providing play opportunities and
activities
Promote the use of
‘Risk Benefit
Assessment‘
Deliver Risk Benefit
Training
EYT
2019
100% Early
Learning and
Childcare
services will have
adopted benefit
risk assessment
2017
2018
2019
2020
30 staff trained in
2017
60 in 2018
60 in 2019
60 in 2020
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National Strategic Context
Early Years Framework (2008) aims to “improve outcomes and children’s quality of life through
play” and “High quality outdoor play opportunities in every community and increase outdoor and
physical activity” http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/257007/0076309.pdf
Early Years Collaborative (2002) “Play as a key change”
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/early-years/early-years-collaborative
National Parenting Strategy (2012) –The benefits of play and having fun for a child’s
development cannot be underestimated. It’s what stimulates young babies, and helps children to
forge strong bonds with their families and develop an appetite for exploration and learning that
lasts throughout life. As children get older, active outdoor play not only contributes to health and
fitness, but also presents a natural vehicle through which children can develop their
independence. http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0040/00403769.pdf
Scottish Planning Policy (Scottish Government, 2010) states that “Providing play space and
other opportunities for children and young people to play freely, explore, discover and initiate their
own activities and support their development. Access to good quality open spaces can encourage
people to be physically active and aid health and well-being.”
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/300760/0093908.pdf
Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC Scottish Government, 2007) “Every child and young
person in Scotland has the right to play, to be healthy and happy, to learn new things and to be
looked after and nurtured - whether they live at home or not.”
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright
Curriculum for Excellence through outdoor learning (Learning and Teaching Scotland,
2010) -The core values of Curriculum for Excellence echo the key concepts of outdoor learning:
challenge, enjoyment, relevance, depth, development of the whole person and an adventurous
approach to learning.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/cfeOutdoorLearningfinal_tcm4-596061.pdf
Pre Birth to 3 (Education Scotland, 2008) - Providing opportunities for young children to explore
their world through various forms of play will, as the guidance makes clear, help to build a solid
foundation for their future learning.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/PreBirthToThreeBooklet_tcm4-633448.pdf
Local Context
Parenting Strategy for South Ayrshire 2014 – 2017 - Our vision for every child and young
person in South Ayrshire is that they grow, develop and reach their full potential within strong,
confident, resourceful families and communities who are fully equipped to contribute to their
children’s well-being.
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/nurseries-and-childcare/parenting%20strategy.pdf
South Ayrshire Council’s Open Space Strategy 2012 - 2017 - To support outdoor leisure and
recreation, which make a significant contribution to the quality of life in South Ayrshire by
contributing to the health of the community by offering opportunity for sport and play; promoting
mental wellbeing and relaxation; building community links through the development and use of
communal spaces, and; providing opportunities for environmental education.
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/policies/openspacestrategy.aspx
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Ayrshire Healthy Weight Strategy- 2014-2024
“Healthiest Weight Possible for Everyone in Ayrshire and Arran”
Overweight and obesity pose a significant threat to the physical and mental health and wellbeing
of both children and adults. It is estimated that in 2012, 62% of adults in Ayrshire were overweight
or obese, and 28% were obese. In 2014/15 21% of Primary 1 school children in South Ayrshire
were found to be overweight or obese, and 10% were obese. In 2014/15 at the 27 months
assessment children in South Ayrshire 33% were found to be overweight or obese, 16% were
obese. The consequences of obesity go beyond the direct economic costs to the NHS; it is
predicted that by 2030 the total cost to Scottish society could be as high as £3 billion. Obesity has
no single cause and is the result of a number of complex factors operating at different stages in an
individual’s life including biological factors; early life and growth patterns; food consumption;
physical activity patterns; societal influences and the wider environment.
https://ww20.southayrshire.gov.uk/ext/committee/CommitteePapers2014/Community%20Planning%20Board/12th%2
0February/AG11%20APP.pdf
Sport and Leisure Strategy 2014 – 2019
The aim of this strategy is to ensure sports and leisure facilities and services we provide help
South Ayrshire become healthier and fitter.
We recognise the valuable social, health and economic benefits that the provision of sport and
recreational facilities and opportunities can create for our communities alongside an improved
quality of life.
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/documents/sportandleisurestrategy2014-19.pdf
Glossary
Bookbug – An Early Years programme which encourages parents and children to share books
together from birth. The Bookbug programme provides four free bags of books to every child in
Scotland, as well as providing free, fun activities such as Bookbug Sessions in almost all libraries
across Scotland.
Early Learning and Childcare – services include Early Learning Centres, Out of School Care,
Family Centres, Childminders and Playgroups.
Free Play - engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical
purpose
PEEP – A programme designed to support parents and children to learn together.
Play@home – A programme which suggests healthy activities that can be used to strengthen
bonding and communication improve parenting skills and introduce physically and mentally
healthy attitudes from the first day of life.
Risk Benefit – Considers benefit to children as well as risks.
Universal Play – Play that is applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
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Acknowledgements
South Ayrshire Council Early Learning and Childcare would like to thank the following for their
input into this strategy.
Early Years Team, South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire Childcare Forum
Voluntary Action, South Ayrshire
Sustainable Development Team, South Ayrshire
Community, Learning and Development, South Ayrshire
Health, NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Childminding Support & Development, Stepping Stones for Families
Friends of Newton Park
Forehill After School Care
Childminders
Early Learning and Childcare Services
Caris, Ayrshire
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Let’s
Play
12