Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction / Natalie Canning -- A unique child: case study : Playing with cardboard boxes / Natalie Canning -- Identifying unique qualities in play / Natalie Canning -- Celebrating children's play choices / Natalie Canning -- Including and enabling all children as individuals / Mandy Andrews -- Positive relationships : case study: play and family support in a children's centre / Rosie Walker -- The role of play in supporting positive relationships / Mandy Andrews -- Parental partnerships / Michael Reed and Rosie Walker -- Making connections between home, the setting and key workers / Sue Callan with Carol Ellis and Helen Richards -- Enabling environments : case study : using indoor and outdoor spaces / Natalie Canning -- Exploring the possibilities of the play environment / Natalie Canning -- Play environments in practice / Natalie Canning -- Inspiring environments for inspirational play / Natalie Canning -- Learning and development: case study : going to the moon / Natalie Canning -- Playing and learning: ways of being in action / Karen Appleby -- Creative play for flexible learning / Natalie Canning -- The need to measure play? / Natalie Canning -- Conclusion / Natalie Canning.

Play is an underlying theme of the Early Years Foundation Stage but it is often a challenge for practitioners to provide a play based curriculum. This book investigates the values that underpin play and demonstrates through case studies how play can be observed, planned and assessed in a meaningful context for the child.