Play: vision statement and action plan 2025 to 2030

Annex B

Evidence Base and Supporting Research

Play Scotland on behalf of the play strategy working group, commissioned Dr Briege Nugent to interrogate existing publications. Her final report “Children and Young People’s views on play^[58]” provides a summary of the views of children from across Scotland, from toddlers to teenagers, city centre to island life, taking account of a myriad of different situations, backgrounds and experiences.

There has also been increased focus on the importance of gender equality as we work towards making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up. Recent research has shown that gender inequality remains a problem, with girls’ right to play not being realised in Scotland (Nevens and Hutchinson, 2024)^[59]. Embedding gender equal play, which is free of stereotypes and genuinely child led, is a key priority in our Vision Statement and Action Plan for Play in Scotland.

Our Vision Statement and Action Plan are also influenced by:

• Covid-19 Early Years Resilience and Impact Survey (CEYRIS) reports published by Public Health Scotland;^[60]
• The Scottish Government’s “Every Child, Every Chance: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2018 to 2022”;^[61]
• The Scottish Government’s “Best Start Bright Futures: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2022 to 2026”; ^[62]
• Play Scotland’s Progress Report on Scotland’s Play Strategy;^[63]
• Save the Children report on Parents’ Experiences and Views on Supporting Early Learning and Development (At Home) November 2023;^[64]
• The research of Play in Education, Development and Learning (PEDAL) at University of Cambridge;^[65]
• The research of the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University;^[66]
• The Children’s Charter for School Age Childcare, co-designed with children and published in 2023;^[67] and
• Starcatcher’s “Wee People Big Feelings – Practical Guide to Early Years Practitioners”.^[68]
• Highland Council Play Park action plan^[69]