Play restored to the school day
Children at Ysgol y Dderi in Llangybi spent June 11 converting their playground into a bustling, creative hub as part of International Day of Play. The Playground Takeover was organised by Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs and supported by the Ceredigion Childcare Unit, drawing pupils into activities ranging from cardboard city-building to clay modelling and colourful chalk art.
What happened on the day
- Den-building, dressing-up and open-ended creative play using loose parts.
- Hands-on practical tasks including hammering and nailing.
- Indoor alternatives provided for wet weather, ensuring play continued throughout the day.
The takeover emphasised play as a central element of childhood development and highlighted the practical role of after-school clubs in providing opportunities for social and creative learning.
"A child’s right to play is protected under Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child," said Carys Davies, strategic childcare manager for Ceredigion County Council. "The Childcare Unit is proud to support registered childcare and play settings across Ceredigion that recognise the importance of play and place it at the heart of their provision."
Councillor Wyn Thomas, the council cabinet member with responsibility for related services, praised Ysgol y Dderi for their success in the event and underlined the wider benefits of out-of-school provision:
"After-school clubs provide children with valuable opportunities to play, socialise and develop important life skills. They also play a vital role in supporting working parents and carers, making them an essential service for many families across Ceredigion."
Local consequences and context
Organisers report that the popularity of the session had a direct effect on take-up, with attendance at the school’s after-school club doubling for the event. That immediate rise in participation demonstrates both latent demand for structured play opportunities and the capacity of events like this to showcase the value of local clubs to families.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| School | Ysgol y Dderi, Llangybi |
| Date | 11 June |
| Organiser | Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs |
| Notable outcome | After-school club attendance doubled |
Now in its third year, the Playground Takeovers initiative seeks to champion every child’s right to play by temporarily repurposing school grounds into imaginative, low-cost play environments. For Ceredigion, where rurality and limited leisure infrastructure can constrain informal play opportunities, such interventions can be a practical way of reaching more families and demonstrating the role of play in learning and wellbeing.
Teachers, club leaders and council officers involved said the event underlined the importance of providing time, space and freedom for children to explore — whatever the weather — and illustrated how well-run after-school provision both supports development and eases pressures on working parents.
