Published quarterly, PlayToday is the play sector magazine full of topical news, lively debates and ideas on good practice in the world of children’s play.
Regular features include policy developments, event listings, book reviews and resources, and updates from SkillsActive, Quality in Play and Play England.
To have your free copy sent directly to you, please e-mail your postal address to: playtoday@ncb.org.uk
Summer 2010
News: Coalition children's task force to include play; new governemnt signals era of change for play sector; BIG's Healthy Families programme in Wales; and KIDS reach a short break milestone. Features: Andrew Mackie on the Big Society; Laura Smith on Locked into Play. Plus news from SkillsActive and Quality in Play.
Download PlayToday issue 70 [2.72MB PDF]
Spring 2010
News on Play England's Manifesto for children's play; Tellus4 survey findings which show children are more satisfied with their play spaces; Conservative shadow children's minister says play services should be part of 'mainstream' response to society breakdown. Features from Adrian Voce on Play England's new publication People Make Play, and Amy Little on the Manifesto for children's play.
Download PlayToday issue 69 [2.55MB PDF]
Winter 2010
News on the Big Lottery Fund exploring further support for play beyond the Children's Play programme, changes to the government's vetting and barring scheme, and CABE's new Spaceshaper toolkit for children aged 9 to 14 years. This issue includes features from Penny Wilson on the photographic exhibition A String of Beads, and Michael Follett and Luke Plowden on the 20th anniversary of the UNCRC.
Download PlayToday issue 68 [2.25MB PDF]
Autumn 2009
Includes news about: this year's record number of Playday events; the Play England consultation document Embedding the Play Strategy; HSE clarifying health and safety law for natural play spaces; and the winners of the Street Design Awards 2009. This issue also includes updates from Play England, SkillsActive, Quality in Play and Play Shaper. Features from Adrian Voce on Embedding the Play Strategy and Sasha Sencier on reinventing the public playground.
Download PlayToday issue 67 [2.26MB PDF]
Playday special
This issue of PlayToday also includes a special edition Playday magazine. This magazine was produced by Play England and a team of young editors from 4CT, and contains the work of young reporters from across the UK.
Download the Playday magazine [1.76MB PDF]
Summer 2009
Contains news on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play meeting, where Baroness Morgan responded to questions from playworkers. Looks at DCSF's new online toolkit for local authorities to promote outdoor play, and Hanneke Nicholson, the latest recipient of London Play's Lifetime in Play in London award. Updates from Play England, SkillsActive, Quality in Play and news of a new programme designed to create more child-friendly communities: Play Shaper. Features from Living Streets on their DIY Streets programme and Play England's Mick Conway on the difference between adventure playgrounds and adventure play parks.
Download PlayToday issue 66 [1.92MB PDF]
Winter/spring 2009
Looks at England's first ever national Play Strategy, which details the government's 10-year vision for play. Includes reports on Play England's key role as the government's national delivery partner, working closely with DCSF and other partners to implement the strategy. Includes features from Tim Gill on the new Managing Risk in Play Provision: Implementaion guide, and Nick Jackson on the challenges facing play associations in London.
Download PlayToday issue 65 [1.99MB PDF]
Back editions of PlayToday, including those published by the Children's Play Council, are available to download.
Read previous editions of PlayToday.