Is child’s play becoming an election issue?

Obesity and inactivity are rising and young people’s relationship with the outdoors is dwindling. Despite children’s abundance of natural energy, it is adults that may be stopping them from being as active as possible. Evidence shows that adopting an active lifestyle early in life encourages healthy habits in adulthood which means providing children with the time, space and facilities to enable that natural energy.
    
According to the Association of Play Industries (API), the lead trade body for the UK play sector, the provision of high-quality public play facilities has a vital role to play in tackling these challenges. Addressing wider societal problems like anti-social behaviour is also essential. But while every child has a fundamental right to play (article 31), there are many local communities for whom that right is under threat.  

High-quality play providers
Local authorities, schools, parish councils and others have an important contribution to make in providing much-needed play facilities, and many of these work in partnership with the API. As the UK’s leading experts in play provision, API members design, create and install high‑quality play equipment using certificated products and provide advice on inspection, maintenance and repair. They operate to the highest standards, abide by a strict professional code of conduct, comply with relevant safety standards, and are rigorously and regularly monitored and credit-checked for financial security and stability. The association campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition of the value of active play.  

Four key asks
As the general election approaches, the API urges all political parties to make play a manifesto priority with four key asks.
    
The first of the four asks is public facilities. Children are more physically active if they have access to high-quality outdoor play facilities. Well-designed play spaces act as a ‘signpost’ for children to access the outdoor world. Public parks should be hubs for physical activity for people of all ages. Investment in, and subsequent maintenance of, public play facilities should be a government priority, particularly in deprived communities.
    
The second key ask is local expertise. Local authority procurement practices are protracted, consume time and money, stifle the development of high-quality play facilities and fail children. Play is a child development issue. Decisions about local play provision should be made by specialists within local authorities who understand the benefits of play and the needs of local communities, not by procurement departments.
    
Thirdly, school investment should be prioritised. Increased physical activity levels are directly linked to greater concentration and academic attainment. Schools play a key role in encouraging children to be more active throughout the school day. The Sport England Primary Spaces Programme should be extended to every school, with broader scope to incorporate a wide variety of physical literacy activities, not just ball games.

Finally, the fourth ask should be Ofsted assessment. Active outdoor learning and play at school are as important as PE and sport in encouraging children of all capabilities to be more physically active, as well as improving concentration, classroom behaviour and academic performance. A measurable outcome for physical literacy with agreed minimum levels of physical activity, outdoor learning and play should be mandated in all schools as part of the national curriculum with outcomes assessed by Ofsted.

Why play matters
Evidence shows that play delivers physical, developmental, emotional, behavioural, social and environmental benefits. To ensure high‑quality provision, play buyers need expert advice and guidance. According to the API, there are various key considerations to be taken into account when planning a play area. These are local need and community engagement; provision of play facilities can be an emotive issue so assessing the needs of communities served is important. API members work collaboratively with clients on public consultations and other community engagement initiatives.    
    
Another consideration is funding. Typical spend for a town or parish council is £15,000-£50,000 with local grant initiatives like Awards for All, WREN and Biffa, section 106 agreements and community fundraising the source of most project funding.  A phased approach can help spread the cost, encourage more fundraising and future-proof a bigger or longer-term play project. Many play companies offer advice on funding.  
    
Capacity must also be considered. The number of children likely to be playing at any one time is key. Play equipment standards are based on minimum user numbers rather than a large number of children playing at the same time, so the design of a play area should be based on peak numbers. API members will factor this into their design.
    
Surfacing is also a factor. Safety surfacing absorbs impact so protects children against critical head injury if they fall while playing. Your play supplier will provide site-specific recommendations.  
    
Safety and accessibility of the proposed play area are key. Think about how children will get to it, considering any traffic hazards, busy thoroughfares, blind spots, deep or lying water and overhead cables. Use fencing only if required for safety reasons, for instance, as additional security for a toddler play area.
    

Plan to create a comfortable experience for children and families. Consider seating or picnic facilities, shade and shelter and litter bins if appropriate.
    
The area must age-appropriate. Maximise play appeal by providing a range of equipment to attract different age ranges. Separate toddler play areas from older children’s equipment to minimise the risk of accidents.  
    
Risk is also a key factor. Children enjoy a degree of risk when playing and actively benefit from it so provide some challenging play equipment for added excitement and fun. Risk assessments needn’t restrict children’s enjoyment so consider installing equipment that provides a real sense of adventure.

Maintenance is vital
Wear and tear is inevitable so it’s important to ensure play equipment is robust and durable to ensure maximum longevity, safety and compliance with standards. Safe play requires regular maintenance, thorough inspection and repair. A Post-Installation Inspection should take place before any new play area opens. The operator or play company should commission a registered, certificated annual outdoor inspector from the Register of Play Inspectors International to do this.   
    
Once complete and satisfactory, responsibility for safety passes to the operator of the play space. An inspection regime is required by national play equipment standard BS EN 1176 and best practice is a three-tier inspection regime which incorporates staff training.
    
This includes daily or weekly routine visual inspection. Regular observation of the play space by a trained staff member looking for obvious hazards like missing or broken parts, broken glass or vandalism. Moreover, monthly operational inspection is also needed. This entails detailed structural examination of wear, tear and stability of equipment by a trained staff member.
    
An annual main inspection undertaken by a qualified external RPII annual outdoor inspector ensures compliance with standards and overall safety.
    
From sensory spaces for toddlers to skate parks, Parkour and social spaces for teenagers, today’s play spaces are engaging, flexible, multi‑use areas with fun and stimulating equipment that appeals to children of all ages and abilities. Adding a well-designed, well‑maintained play area with high quality equipment and strong play value provides immeasurable benefits to local families. Using an API member reassures play buyers they are working with a reputable, reliable and financially stable company with experience and expertise.
    
For helpful advice, the API website provides a wide range of resources, information and links about fundraising, planning and project guidance, design, safety and risk, plus full details of every member company including examples of recent work.

Further information
www.api-play.org