What informs school leaders’ decisions when considering play-based learning beyond the Early Years Foundation Stage?
Written by: Jo Gray
8 min read
JO GRAY, HEAD OF EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT AND ADVOCATE FOR PLAY-BASED, INCLUSIVE EDUCATION, UK
Play-based learning is a well-established pedagogical approach in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), fostering cognitive, social and emotional development (Pyle and Danniels, 2017). However, as children transition to Key Stage 1, the focus often shifts towards more structured, formal learning approaches (Fisher, 2022). Despite growing research highlighting the benefits of play beyond the EYFS (Quirk and Pettett, 2021), school leaders continue to face challenges in implementing it within primary education.
This study investigated the key factors influencing school leaders’ decisions when considering play-based learning beyond the EYFS. It explored the role of leadership experience, systemic and political pressures, confidence in decision-making, personal beliefs and collaboration. By examining these elements, the study aimed to provide insights into how educational leaders
Join us or sign in now to view the rest of this page
You're viewing this site as a guest, which only allows you to view a limited amount of content.
To view this page and get access to all our resources, join the Chartered College of Teaching (it's free for trainee teachers and half price for ECTs) or log in if you're already a member.
- Bradbury A (ed) (2025) Play matters: Why play matters in early childhood. Early Years Reviews. Available at: www.early-years-reviews.com/_files/ugd/c871c5_37c8d65a5d6c4f6a981edbb3a0e6310b.pdf (accessed 23 July 2025).
- Chitpin S (2020) Decision making, distributed leadership and the objective knowledge growth framework. The International Journal of Educational Management 34(2): 217–231.
- Firth B and Powell R (2025) Everything to play for: A plan to ensure every child in England can play. Centre for Young Lives. Available at: https://playwork.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-06-11-everything-to-play-for-raising-the-nation-play-commission-report-final.pdf (accessed 23 July 2025).
- Fisher J (2022) Moving on to Key Stage 1: Improving Transition Through Play-Based Learning. Abingdon: Routledge.
- O’Sullivan A (2011) At the heart: Decision making in educational leadership and management. In: First International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences (ERPBSS), Dubai, UAE, 22–24 November 2011.
- Pyle A and Danniels E (2017) A continuum of play-based learning: The role of the teacher in play-based pedagogy and the fear of hijacking play. Early Education and Development 28(3): 274–289.
- Quirk S and Pettett V (2021) Let Me Be Five: Implementing a Play-Based Curriculum in Year 1 and Beyond, 1st ed, vol 1. Abingdon: Routledge.
- United Nations (UN) (1989) Convention on the Rights of the Child. Available at: www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child (accessed 23 July 2025).
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Oldest
