Play is vital for children. Through play, babies and young children learn, grow and have fun. Singing songs, reading together, playing with letters and numbers, and enjoying friendships helps children develop socially and emotionally while giving them a confident start.
From birth to the end of Reception, children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. During these formative years they encounter new experiences, explore, ask questions, extend their skills and build on what they already know.
Well-planned play is central to early learning: challenging enough to inspire curiosity, and joyful enough to keep children engaged.