Children to get more play space

More than 3,500 playgrounds in deprived areas will be built or upgraded over the next three years and 30 new supervised adventure playgrounds built.

Under the government’s ten year Children’s Plan, launched this week, more activities for children, such as sport, drama, music and art will be provided in new youth centres, with £160 million of funding.

The far reaching plan includes free childcare for 20,000 two year olds in deprived areas.

The primary curriculum is to be reviewed, with time set aside for learning a foreign language, and SATS may be replaced with a new curriculum testing system based on the stage a child has reached rather than their age. Children born in the summer will get extra help.

Schools will also be expected to involve parents more closely in their children’s education, and to provide more services to support families.

In a separate proposal, poor families throughout England will be able to get free or cheap home safety equipment.

£18 million over three years will be spent on equipment such as stairgates, electric socket covers and fireguards.