Play England

England’s national charity for play. Our objective is to restore a play-based childhood for all children in England by 2035. #ItAllStartsWithPlay!

[Play England @PlayEngland]

1 year ago today we launched our bold, new 10-year strategy - #ItAllStartsWithPlay! in Parliament.

One year on, our objective remains clear: restore a play-based childhood for all children in England by 2035.

https://t.co/7iZcXcylxX

#ItAllStartsWithPlay

[Play England @PlayEngland]

New National Occupational Standards (NOS) for playwork published

https://t.co/Ebu2V4eL7N

The Playwork NOS are a set of standards outlining the competencies playworkers need in various areas of work.

#ItAllStartsWithPlay! #Playwork #Playworkers

[WicksteedLeisure @WicksteedPlay]

🏆 The finalists are in!

We’re proud to be Headline Sponsor of the inaugural National Play Awards on 8 October.

👏 Congratulations to all the finalists!

Read more here: https://t.co/trFJF5tNhJ

#NationalPlayAwards #PlayMatters #Wicksteed

[BBC East Midlands @bbcemt]

Playground still 'like a building site' one year on https://t.co/zLz5D19Pq6

[API @apiplay]

The countdown is on – just one week to go!

On 09 October, the inaugural National Play Conference is taking place, where the API is proud to be sponsoring the Children’s Voice Programme.

It will be great to see children and young people contribute to the day and ensuring their voices are part of the conversations shaping the future of play.

@PlayEngland @SAPCA

#NationalPlayConference #ChildrensVoice #PlayIndustry #APImembers #ItAllStartsWithPlay!

[Play England @PlayEngland]

The latest issue of @PlayNationMag is now live!

Including a bumper feature on the inaugural #NationalPlayConference (pgs 26-35)

https://t.co/4zPUNVK71R

Subscribe now to receive a complimentary copy of the magazine every two months.

#PlayNation #ItAllStartsWithPlay

[Landscape & Amenity @LAPUMagazine]

Play England has announced the finalists for the inaugural National Play Awards 2026, recognising outstanding contributions to children’s play across England https://t.co/ifOTwbOELb

[Play England @PlayEngland]

The #NationalPlayAwards 2026 finalists are here 🎉

140 nominations
17 finalists
6 categories

Celebrating the people, places, practice and progress creating the conditions children need to play

https://t.co/Yv90qbZLgB

🏆 Winners announced 8 October.

#ItAllStartsWithPlay

[API @apiplay]

We’re delighted to sponsor the Sector Award at the inaugural National Play Awards 2026.

The award recognises work that strengthens the wider conditions for play - evidence of changed policy, funding, children’s involvement, wider influence and more.

It’s a great opportunity to recognise the people and organisations helping to build a stronger future for play.

@PlayEngland | @SAPCA

Find out more here: https://t.co/76Hc6OESKX

#NationalPlayAwards #PlayIndustry #Play #APImembers #PlaygroundPower

[API @apiplay]

We’re proud sponsors of the Children’s Voice Programme at the National Play Conference 2026.

Children and young people won’t simply be attending – they will be contributing and bringing their own experiences and perspectives directly into the Conference.

For an industry dedicated to creating places for children to play, it’s vital that their voices are part of the conversation about what the future of play should look like.

Find out more here: https://t.co/xSYYcgF1Dp

@PlayEngland @SAPCA

#NationalPlayConference #ChildrensVoice #PlayIndustry #APImembers #PlaygroundPower

[Floella Benjamin @FloellaBenjamin]

Today it’s 50 years since I first presented Playschool wearing my blue beads and silver heart. I adore bringing joy into the lives of my #Playschool Babies during the 12 years I was on the programme. @CBeebiesHQ ❤️

[Landscape & Amenity @LAPUMagazine]

API supports inaugural National Play Conference and Awards @apiplay https://t.co/LnPQmrPaA8

[Michael Savage @michaelsavage]

NEW: The BBC is touting the return of Play School as an antidote to online slop aimed at kids - I know many parents who are looking for that.

But in a world of global content, can it work?

And does anyone under 40 have a clue what it is?

Story:

https://t.co/rVRJtxPvqu

[Floella Benjamin @FloellaBenjamin]

I’m so thrilled to hear this fantastic news as the new #Playschool will inspire the nation’s children and future generations for life just as before because ‘Childhood lasts a lifetime’ @CBeebies @BBC @televisual https://t.co/yfSMgDnJbs

[API @apiplay]

We’re proud to be supporting the National Play Conference and Awards 2026, sponsoring both the Children’s Voice Programme and the Sector Award.

It’s an important opportunity for the play industry to be part of the wider conversation about the future of play - while ensuring children’s voices are heard and recognising those working to strengthen the sector.

Read more about API’s involvement: https://t.co/F4QhlyK0Sm

@PlayEngland @SAPCA

#NationalPlayConference #PlayIndustry #APIMembers #PlaygroundPower

[API @apiplay]

We’re looking forward to supporting the National Play Conference 2026 on 9 October - more details coming soon!
@PlayEngland @SAPCA #NationalPlayConference #Play #PlayIndustry #APImembers

[BBC East Midlands @bbcemt]

SEND school embraces new 'risky play' scheme https://t.co/OhqRhFuYl7

[Play England @PlayEngland]

Play England’s 2026 AGM takes place on 8 October at 14:00 at the University of Warwick.

https://t.co/BlsErNoTaY

Governance, accounts, Board appointments and elections, followed by a @PlayEngland History Quiz with Dr Wendy Russell

#ItAllStartsWithPlay!

[Play England @PlayEngland]

#ThrowbackThursday to the inaugural @PlayTheirWay podcast - “We play sport, we don’t ‘sport’ sport”

https://t.co/Xo0KrunXcA

#ItAllStartsWithPlay!

[playtheirway @playtheirway]

🎧 Have you had a chance to listen to our first episode of the #PlayTheirWay podcast yet?

Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion between host @MissLJJ and guest @EugeneMinogue on play as the foundation of all movement: https://t.co/KKivYhko0z

[Play England @PlayEngland]

Playces to launch at the National Play Conference

https://t.co/Nrl14EJibT

Dr Michael Martin & Dr Paul Brindley of @SheffieldUni will showcase the national platform & how better spatial evidence can support planning and investment.

With @TheTCPA + @MHCLG also contributing.

[Play England @PlayEngland]

🏆 Who is creating the conditions for children to play?

Nominations are OPEN for the inaugural #NationalPlayAwards 2026.

https://t.co/dpolbW8PLt

Who deserves national recognition?

🏆 6 awards
🆓 Free to enter
📅 Closes 25 Sept
👉 https://t.co/hmVGVZsdP3

#ItAllStartsWithPlay