Nursery World - Promises to keep play on agenda

The new children's minister has pledged to ensure that children's play remains 'prominent' in the Government's policy agenda. Beverley Hughes, speaking last week at 'Playing Together', a conference organised by the Children's Play Council and 4Children, said that although the Government had 'long recognised' the importance of play, the challenge was now to 'build it into the wider policy agenda'.

Beverley Hughes, speaking last week at 'Playing Together', a conference organised by the Children's Play Council and 4Children, said that although the Government had 'long recognised' the importance of play, the challenge was now to 'build it into the wider policy agenda'.

She said, 'We value children's quality of life. But it (play) is also important as a vehicle for learning and development and a route to better outcomes.

'I want to make sure that these synergies and broad discussions about play remain prominent in wider debates.'

Adrian Voce, director of the Children's Play Council, welcomed the minister's 'positive view on play'. He said, 'I look forward to the minister and her directorate getting fully involved in the cross-departmental group that has been set up to look strategically at children's play.'

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