The WA Government has committed to develop a WA Play Strategy - acknowledging the essential role of play in children’s lives. Play is not just fun, it helps children build relationships, practice new skills, manage emotions, and make sense of their world. The WA Play Strategy will highlight the importance of play as an essential part of children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
The WA Play Strategy Advisory Committee has been established to provide advice and guidance to support the development of the WA Play Strategy – Australia’s first state‑wide strategy focused on play.
The Committee brings together nationally and internationally recognised experts, senior leaders and long‑standing advocates in early childhood development, whose collective experience spans research, policy, practice, health, education and community services. The members bring extensive knowledge of early childhood development, play, and the systems that influence children’s opportunities to play.
The Advisory Committee will help support the development of the WA Play Strategy, ensuring it is grounded in evidence, informed by contemporary research and practice, and responsive to Western Australian contexts. The Committee supports consideration of children’s play across a range of settings, including homes, early learning environments, schools, communities and public spaces. Its advice will also help ensure the Strategy reflects the experiences and perspectives of children, families, early childhood professionals and communities across WA.
The WA Play Strategy will focus on the early childhood years from birth to eight, recognising this period as critical to children’s health, development and wellbeing, while acknowledging the ongoing importance of play for all children and young people.
Development of the strategy is being led by the Office of Early Childhood with the Advisory Committee providing expert advice throughout the process. The establishment of the Committee marks the formal commencement of work on the Strategy and is an important step in supporting play as a central element of children’s health, development and wellbeing in Western Australia.
For more information
Learn more about the Office of Early Childhood.
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