Executive Summary | Play England Play Strategy 2035

It All Starts with Play!

This Executive Summary sets out a 10-year strategy by Play England to restore a play-based childhood for all children by 2035. It calls for play to be recognised, accepted and protected as essential to healthy childhoods and thriving communities. The strategy is developed through a co-design and consultation process involving children, families, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and communities, and is designed to be delivered through a cross-sector, collaborative approach. The strategy is built around four priorities—Spaces, Skills, Systems and Society—underpinned by a STAR framework (Space, Time, Acceptance, Rights). Success is defined by children’s lived experience of freely accessible, safe and joyful play. It uses a three-year cycle of reflect, reinvigorate and renew, supported by Children’s Assemblies to embed children’s voices in decision-making.