Play in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire County Council recognises the importance of play and is committed to achieving services that are accessible and appropriate to age and need. We have been working with schools, early years settings, childcare providers, district, town and parish councils to support children's play. We have written a play policy 'Time to Play' and guidance to support all services across the county that support children's play.
What is Play?
'Play is freely chosen, personally directed, intrinsically motivated behaviour that actively engages the child… play can be fun or serious. Through play children explore social, material and imaginary worlds and their relationship with them, elaborating all the while a flexible range of responses to the challenges they encounter'
From 'Best Play – what play provision should do for children' - NPFA/PLAYLINK/Children’s Play Council (2001)
In brief
'What children and young people do when they follow their own ideas and interests in their own way and for their own reasons'
'Getting Serious about Play: A review of children’s play' - DCMS