The first evaluation of the Big Lottery Fund's £124m play programme has found some encouraging results, particularly in widening access to 'risky' and adventurous play (see News, page 6).
The Scottish Government is also joining in with the fun, setting up a £4m scheme called Go Play to improve opportunities for five- to 13-year-olds.
It is wonderful that the importance of play for all children, not just those in the early years, is being recognised, with the National Play Strategy also under way. However, if we are genuinely to take play seriously, we must remember the dangers of short-term funding, such as that provided by the lottery. The growth of out-of-school clubs, for example, has been hampered by a lack of sustainability once time-limited funding runs out.
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