Learning Through Play: Why the Alliance 4 Children is Backing the Call for KS1 Reform

Alliance 4 Children

In the landscape of British education, a significant "policy cliff edge" exists between the play-based exploration of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the more rigid, formal structures of Key Stage 1 (KS1). As an Alliance dedicated to the betterment of the health and well-being of children, young people, and families, the Alliance 4 Children (A4C) believes that this transition often comes too early, at the expense of a child’s natural development.

Recently, the Alliance has been proud to support our Corporate Partner, My Mummy Teacher, led by play-based learning consultant Ruth Lue-Quee, in her vital campaign to make play a statutory mainstay in Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms. The campaign’s recent parliamentary petition, which garnered over 100,000 signatures, highlights a growing consensus among parents and professionals: children aged 5 to 7 still learn best through movement, exploration, and "continuous provision."

Why Play Matters for Health and Learning Evidence shows that play is not merely a break from learning; it is the learning process. By integrating play-based pedagogy into KS1, we can:

• Reduce Anxiety: Helping to mitigate the rising rates of emotional health challenges in young children by avoiding premature academic pressure.

• Boost Cognitive Development: Strengthening neural pathways associated with creativity, problem-solving, and social resilience.

• Close the Gap: Ensuring that the nearly 40% of children currently falling behind in traditional metrics are reached through more inclusive, developmentally appropriate teaching methods.

Taking the Message to Government 

The Alliance 4 Children exists to amplify the voices of experts like My Mummy Teacher at the highest levels of government. Following the successful parliamentary debate on 26th January 2026, we are continuing to advocate for these principles to be embedded in the upcoming National Curriculum and Assessment Review. We believe that for children to thrive, their education must be built around how their brains actually work—not around arbitrary "readiness" benchmarks.

Join the Alliance 

As a growing network of academics, teachers, and business leaders, we invite you to be part of this change. Together, we can ensure that the rights of children to play and learn in a healthy, supportive environment are protected by law.

To learn more about our recent policy wins or to join our Early Years and Education working groups, please visit our new website at www.alliance4children.org.

Together, we are heard.