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Bromley Play Strategy 2007-2012
There is a great deal more to play than simply having fun. There is a growing body of evidence that good play can make a valuable contribution to every child’s health, intellectual, social and emotional development. As such, promoting and providing high quality play opportunities will help the Council to deliver the five outcomes of Every Child Matters.
The Bromley Play Strategy represents a 5-year vision to ensure that all children have access to local, safe, affordable, high quality play provision. As a result of our research into local play needs, including detailed consultation with children and young people, we identified five key areas for the Strategy to develop:
- Reassurance and support for play
This was a recurring theme with children and young people concerned about their safety in parks and play spaces. There was a clear suggestion that visible adults who can assist if children and young people were feeling vulnerable or unsafe would increase their usage of parks and play spaces and enhance their enjoyment of play experiences.
- Extending imaginative and challenging play
Children told us that they wanted play equipment that provided a stimulus for more creative and imaginative play. New play equipment is not in itself always the answer: the provision of imaginative natural landscaping for play, and promotion of play within the urban and natural landscapes will also be part of the mix.
Our consultation with children and young people made clear the need for outdoor spaces and activities specifically for older young people. Younger children felt vulnerable with older children around stating that they dominated play spaces and young people described the need for unstructured activity and a space to be with their friends.
- Spaces for play in areas of high density housing
Children and young people and their families appreciate having play spaces near to their homes for accessibility, and for safety reasons, however there is an increasing tendency for housing associations and local authorities to fence off potentially playable space and install ‘no ball games’ signs. Developing work around zoning of play space, and designated ‘yes, you can play here’ signs will help to promote responsible play in local communities and develop children and young people’s sense of belonging in and respect for an area.
- Inclusion, involvement and integration
This theme covers three areas: the involvement and engagement of children & young people in planning and decision making; integrated working between agencies and services and the inclusion of children prevented from accessing mainstream play opportunities due to health inequalities, special needs or social circumstance.
The delivery of the Strategy will be supported by a £594,000 award from the Big Lottery Fund children’s play Programme. This funding will be used to develop and improve play spaces in the target areas identified in the Strategy and to develop a network of professional staff and other adults in children’s lives who can support and promote safe and enjoyable play in our parks & open spaces, in the street, at school and at home.
For more information contact:
Play Strategy Manager
Tel: 020 461 7246
e-mail: early.years@bromley.gov.uk
Publisher
London Borough of
Bromley
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