Publications

Play Wales, October 2017

This information sheet explores the 16 play types – including creative play, rough and tumble, deep play and social play. It also makes brief comparisons between some of the play types. The various play types attempt to describe the full range of children’s play behaviours and how they might contribute to children’s physical, mental and emotional development. Facilitating the play types in practice to ensure children experience a range of opportunities and experiences requires space, permission and variety. 

This information sheet is aimed at playworkers, but is also useful for practitioners in schoold and early years settings.

Chris Martin, July 2017

This information sheet takes a critical look at children and young people’s use of mobile phones and other mobile devices, focusing on play. It also examines how children use devices in their play, as well as different perspectives and suggestions to support those working with children.

While written from a playwork perspective it is also relevant for parents and carers, other professionals working with children, and policy makers.

Play Wales, April 2016

This information sheet explores how playing contributes to children’s physical activity levels and how early years practitioners can provide permission, time and space, as well as making materials available, for children to play outdoors. It also provides practical advice on thinking sensibly about health and safety.

The information sheet aims to support early years practitioners to provide physical activity through outdoor play in their settings.

Play Wales, January 2016

This information sheet provides an overview of what is unique about playwork and the role of the playworker. It describes how playworkers’ work relates to the Playwork Principles in terms of facilitating children’s play and the impact of playworkers and their intervention on children’s play and the play space. It also provides a checklist for facilitating a compensatory play space.

Play Wales, October 2015

Wales is the first country in the world to legislate for children’s play through the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010. The Welsh Government ‘Play Sufficiency Duty’, as it has become known, places a duty on every local authority in Wales to assess for and provide sufficient play opportunities for children in their areas.

This information sheet provides a brief overview of the Play Sufficiency Duty and the assessment process that local authorities have to undertake. It also describes Welsh Government’s aim to create a play friendly country by providing time, space and permission for children to play.

The aim of this information sheet is to provide a better understanding about play sufficiency in Wales to those whose work isn’t directly involved with children’s play or who may not be familiar with the legislation.

Play Wales, August 2015

This information sheet briefly explains the importance of playing for brain development and mental health as well as exploring how playing contributes to children’s emotional wellbeing and how it relates to the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.

We published this information sheet to celebrate Playday 2015.

Play Wales and Cadw, May 2015

This information sheet, aimed at parents and carers, explores the importance of playing outside and contact with nature for all children and their families and it provides tips for supporting children to play out confidently. 

This information sheet was published to celebrate National Children's Day UK (17 May 2015)

Play Wales, January 2015 

This information sheet aims to provide an introduction to advocating for play and playwork. Aimed at everyone who has an interest in or responsibility for children’s play it offers examples of situations where we might act as advocates and suggestions of methods we can use to advocate for play and playwork.

Sue Bradshaw, March 2013 

This information sheet provides policy and procedures in relation to safeguarding children for adoption and adaptation at play settings. It also includes guidelines on how to respond to disclosures and advice to support preventing children from future harm.

This is an updated version of the Safeguarding our children information sheet Play Wales published in 2008.

The production of this information sheet has been funded by the Welsh Government.

Play Wales/Di Murray, March 2013 

This information sheet explores the attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers that face disabled children and young people accessing play provision – and how we as play providers and playworkers can overcome them. It also includes the latest policy information and case studies.

Play Wales worked in partnership with Di Murray to produce this information sheet. It is an updated version of the Inclusive play information sheet Play Wales published in 2007.

The production of this information sheet has been funded by the Welsh Government.

Play Wales, March 2013 

This information sheet explores why play matters and what we can all do about it. It provides support for adults in understanding how they can best provide time, space, permission and materials for children to play. It also offers suggestions about how we should take action to promote and protect children’s right to play.

The production of this information sheet has been funded by the Welsh Government.

Tim Gill, March 2013 

This information sheet aims to set out why a balanced, thoughtful approach to managing risks in children’s play is needed. It also aims to give an overview of risk-benefit assessment, which is widely accepted as a suitable approach.

The production of this information sheet has been funded by the Welsh Government.

Play Wales, June 2012

This information sheet and the following accompanying documents have been produced to help local authorities and their partners to prepare for Play Sufficiency Assessments.
Roles and Responsibilities

Play Wales, March 2012

This information sheet explores simple solutions to address common complaints made about play spaces and how we can all make simple improvements to a local play area to make it more appealing to all members of the community.

Play Wales, January 2010

This information sheet sets out why play is important and how staffed play provision supports children in local communities to access their right to play in their own neighbourhood.