Quality in un-staffed provision

Several guides and tools are available to help you ensure quality in un-staffed play provision.

Design for Play, and its sister document Managing Risk in Play Provision: Implementation guide, both provide guidance on creating quality play spaces for children.

Tools for evaluating local play provision details how to use Play England’s local play indicators to assess the quality of local play spaces on the basis of involvement of children, play value, along with location, care and maintenance of the site. The guide explains how to assess the three different types of play space and facility to which all children and young people should have free access in their local neighbourhood:

  • Doorstep spaces and facilities: where children can play within sight of their homes
  • Local spaces and facilities: suitable for children beginning to travel independently with their friends
  • Neighbourhood spaces and facilities: designed mainly for children and young people able to travel freely around their locality.


KIDS' Inclusivity Assessment Tool helps providers look in detail at the accessibility and play value for children and young people who are disabled.

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KIDS Inclusivity Assessment Tool KIDS' assessment tool to inform those developing and evaluating play spaces on the extent to which their play areas are inclusive. The tool is built upon the 6 inclusive Design Principles.
Quality Assessment Tool Part of a suite of local play indicators designed to support local authorities to assess their performance in providing for play. The tool can also be used by voluntary and community groups to assess the quality of play provision in their area.
Design for Play: A guide to creating successful play spaces Play England and government guidance that advocates a design-led approach to play space design.
Managing Risk in Play Provision Implementation guide Play England guidance helping providers to strike a balance between the risks and benefits of offering children challenging play opportunities.
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