Factsheets

CPIS publishes a series of factsheets on key topics of interest to both play professionals and students. All factsheets can be downloaded below.

New factsheet
No.14 What is Playwork? [PDF 257KB]
This factsheet presents an overview of the discussions, debates and theories of playwork, the type of play opportunities that playworkers should provide, and the different views of the benefits of play for children.

No.1 Play Space Development Checklist [PDF 199KB]
This factsheet aims to provide some general advice on the process involved in developing a play space by means of a number of checklists.

No.2 How to Raise Funds for Children's Play [PDF 205KB] - Updated 2010
This factsheet is designed to act as a guide to help you to secure funding towards a project on children’s play. It covers the essential steps you need to think about in order to get your funding.

No.3 What is Play? [PDF 178KB]
Written by Jenni Lindon, this factsheet looks at the definition of 'play'.

No.4 Where do children play? [PDF 190KB]
Written by Issy Cole-Hamilton, this factsheet is about the types of places children use for outdoor play

No.5 Scrapstores England and Wales [PDF 206KB]
This factsheet lists contact details of scrapstores in England and Wales.
Updated annually

No.6 Play in Hospital [PDF 186KB]
Written by Norma Jun-Tai, this factsheet discusses the value of play and play opportunities for children in hospital, and outlines how to run a successful play programme.
 
No.7 Consulting Children About Play [PDF 220KB]
Written by Mark Gladwin, this factsheet gives practical ideas on ways of consulting children on play opportunities and facilities.

No.8 Inclusive Play [PDF 234KB]
Written by Rachel Scott, Kids, this factsheet gives an overview of inclusive play, focusing on disabled children. It looks at all children's right to play, explores some of the barriers to play, and provides action points for inclusion.

No.9 Play and Health [PDF 204KB]
Written by Issy Cole-Hamilton, this factsheet outlines the extent to which the Government has acknowledged the value of play in children's health and describes some of the underpinning evidence to support these developments.

No.10  Children's Play in Natural Environments [PDF 233KB]
Written by Martin Maudsley, this factsheet looks at the benefits of natural play for children, and gives advice on how adults can support this type of play.

No.11  Key Sources of Information on Children’s Play [PDF 216KB]
Compiled by CPIS, this factsheet lists some of the key organisations and sources of information on children’s play
Updated annually

No.12  International Sources of Information on Play [PDF 191KB]
Compiled by CPIS, this is a list of international websites and organisations related to children's play, focusing on the right to play, research and design, and planning for play.
Updated annually.

No.13  Guidance on what to look for in a play designer [PDF 180KB]
This factsheet gives brief guidance on choosing a play designer, as outlined in Shackell, A and others (2008) Design for Play: A guide to creating successful play spaces. London: DCSF, DCMS and Play England.

Play strategies

View play strategies developed by English local government areas on our regional map

UK map

Need Information on play?

CPIS is a national information service on children's play, part of the NCB library

Contact us if you have a general enquiry about children's play or would like a literature search on a play topic

Tel: 0207 843 6303 or
       0207 843 6026

Email: cpis@ncb.org.uk