- WA Play Strategy Advisory Committee established to guide Australian-first Play Strategy
- Strategy puts play at the heart of early childhood development, and boost access to quality play across all environments
- The Cook Labor Government committed to giving every child the best possible start in life
The Cook Labor Government has established the WA Play Strategy Advisory Committee, a first step in the development of an Australian-first Play Strategy, to recognise the importance of play for all children and young people.
Announced on the International Day of Play, the Advisory Committee will bring together recognised experts, senior sector leaders, and long-standing advocates including leading Western Australian organisations such as Play Matters Collective and Nature Play WA.
The committee’s expertise will ensure the WA Play Strategy is evidence-based, reflects Western Australian contexts, and is informed by the voices of children, families and those working directly with young children.
The Strategy will place play at the heart of early childhood development, with a focus on children from birth to eight while recognising the importance of play for all children and young people.
It responds to growing national and international recognition that play underpins children’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional health, and that governments have a role in enabling access to quality play across homes, early learning settings, schools, communities and public spaces.
The establishment of the committee marks the formal commencement of work on the WA Play Strategy as part of the Cook Labor Government’s broader commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.
The strategy will complement key early childhood reforms including the free optional play-based fulltime kindergarten pilot program in Western Australian public schools, and workforce initiatives to strengthen the early childhood education sector.
Development of the WA Play Strategy will be led by the Office of Early Childhood, with the Advisory Committee ensuring the voices of experts, practitioners and the community help shape its direction.
By progressing the WA Play Strategy, Western Australia is taking deliberate action to support children’s right to play, strengthening its position in early childhood policy and its commitment to a strong start for all children.
As stated by Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton:
“Play is not just fun – it is essential to how children learn, grow and thrive, and it underpins their health, wellbeing and development across early childhood.
“The WA Play Strategy Advisory Committee brings together extensive expertise across research, practice and advocacy, with members who have long contributed to improving outcomes for children and families in Western Australia and beyond.
“Drawing on the experience, the strategy will be informed by evidence and practical insight, supporting meaningful opportunities for play across early learning settings, schools, homes and communities, and providing a considered, evidence-based approach to supporting every child’s start in life.”
As stated by Play Matters Collective chair Dr Sandra Hesterman:
“The WA Play Strategy is a landmark initiative that strengthens children’s right to play and affirms its vital importance across communities, schools, early childhood settings, and public spaces.
“Extensive evidence consistently demonstrates that high-quality play across its many diverse forms and contexts enhances children’s learning, wellbeing, creativity, resilience, social connections, and physical development, laying the foundation for lifelong success.
“The WA Government’s commitment to developing a Play Strategy reflects the long-standing leadership and sustained advocacy of a wide range of Western Australian organisations, educators, researchers, and families, all working to ensure that every child has the best possible opportunities to play, learn, and thrive.”
As stated by Nature Play CEO Dr Kelsie Prabawa-Sear:
“Nature Play WA welcomes the State Government’s commitment to recognising the importance of play through the development of a WA Play Strategy.
“We know that outdoor play is essential for children’s physical health, mental wellbeing and development. Anything we can do to reverse the decline in outdoor play will have lasting benefits for children, families and communities across Western Australia.
“The establishment of the WA Play Strategy Advisory Committee is an important step in supporting and promoting the benefits of play. It will help encourage more children, families and schools to make play a regular part of everyday life.
“Play is more than just a break from learning. It is learning. Play helps children build confidence, develop social and emotional skills, and support their mental health and wellbeing.”
