Is Play-Based Learning in Nursery Really Enough for Your Child’s Development?

19 hours ago
4 min read

“All they do is play…” — But is that really true?

It’s a common question many parents ask when looking at nurseries:

Is play just a way to pass the time, or is it actually helping my child learn?

The reality is that play is far more than it seems. In fact, it is one of the most powerful and research-backed ways young children develop essential skills.

In this guide, we’ll explore exactly why playtime in nursery is so important, how it links to the EYFS, and what your child is really learning.

Understanding the EYFS Framework

Nurseries, preschools, and Reception classes all follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)—a statutory framework set by the UK government for children under five (click here to learn more). It outlines the standards for learning, development and care.

However, while the framework in reception and nursery is the same, the way it is delivered differs.

Schools often take a more structured, formal approach—something many parents are familiar with.

Nurseries, on the other hand, focus on child-led, play-based learning.

At first glance, this can appear less academic, but in reality, it is carefully designed to support deep, meaningful learning.

Why Play-Based Learning Matters

Play may seem simple, but it has a huge amount of scientific research behind it.

Through play, children:

Explore ideas freely
Develop communication skills
Build creativity
Learn to think critically
Solve problems independently

These are all essential skills that form the foundation for future learning.

Play in the EYFS: How Children Learn

The EYFS highlights three key characteristics of effective teaching and learning:

Active Learning

Children stay engaged, keep trying when things are challenging, and enjoy their achievements—building resilience and motivation.

Creative and Critical Thinking

Children develop their own ideas, make connections, and find ways to solve problems.

Playing and Exploring

Children investigate, experience new things, and have a go, building confidence and curiosity.

The Role of Early Years Practitioners

Teaching in the Early Years is a science, an art, and a craft combined.

Practitioners are specially trained to support young children’s development in ways that differ from traditional classroom teaching.

According to Ofsted, effective Early Years teaching includes:

Communicating and modelling language
Showing and explaining
Exploring ideas together
Encouraging and questioning
Facilitating and setting challenges

Rather than setting fixed outcomes, practitioners:

Follow each child’s interests
Support individual learning styles
Allow children to learn at their own pace

This creates an environment where children can experiment, explore, and learn without fear of getting things wrong.

How Play Supports All Areas of Learning in the EYFS

Play doesn’t just support one or two skills—it underpins all seven areas of learning in the EYFS.

Here’s how:

1. Communication and Language

Through play, children:

Engage in conversations
Ask questions
Listen and respond to others
Build vocabulary

Example: Role play (e.g. pretending to run a shop) encourages back-and-forth conversation, storytelling, and language development.

2. Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Play helps children:

Build relationships
Learn to share and take turns
Develop empathy
Understand and manage emotions

Example: Group play activities teach cooperation, while imaginative play helps children explore emotions and social situations.

3. Physical Development

Active play supports:

Gross motor skills (running, climbing, balancing)
Fine motor skills (drawing, threading, building)

Example: Outdoor play, climbing frames, and mark-making activities all strengthen coordination and control.

4. Literacy

Play introduces early literacy skills such as:

Storytelling
Recognising sounds and letters
Understanding that print carries meaning

Example: Children may ‘write’ shopping lists during role play or enjoy sharing books in a cosy reading corner.

5. Mathematics

Through play, children develop:

Counting skills
Understanding of quantity (cardinality)
Subitising (recognising amounts without counting)
Shape, space, and pattern awareness

Example: Sorting toys, building structures, or using numbers in pretend play all build mathematical understanding.

6. Understanding the World

Children explore:

Their local community
Different roles and occupations
The natural world

Example: Roleplaying as a doctor or shopkeeper, or going on outings to places like shops or parks, helps children understand the world and community around them.

7. Expressive Arts and Design

Play encourages:

Creativity
Imagination
Self-expression

Example: Painting, music, dance, and imaginative play allow children to explore ideas and express themselves freely.

A Different Approach to Behaviour and Learning

In some school settings, behaviour may be managed through reward charts or removing toys. However, this approach can focus more on obedience than understanding.

In nursery settings, practitioners instead: