Nursery World - 'Put play in prospectus for after school'

Extended schools are in danger of becoming 'warehouses that look after children', Tim Gill, a leading figure in the play sector warned last week. Speaking after the launch of the extended schools prospectus (News, 16 June), Mr Gill, play consultant and former director of the Children's Play Council, told Nursery World, 'If the Government wants to make a real difference to children and young people's lives with its extended schools initiative, it needs to put the right staff in place and focus on what they need and want.'

Speaking after the launch of the extended schools prospectus (News, 16 June), Mr Gill, play consultant and former director of the Children's Play Council, told Nursery World, 'If the Government wants to make a real difference to children and young people's lives with its extended schools initiative, it needs to put the right staff in place and focus on what they need and want.'

He said that the prospectus talks about 'educational-driven activities'

that revolve around sport, arts and culture, but there is 'little mention of play'.

'Whenever children and young people are asked what they want, the overwhelming response is to play and "hang out" with their friends. They need unstructured social time if they are to learn how to get along with people.'

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