Thanks to all your support, Ruth’s petition has officially surpassed 100,000 signatures, and a parliamentary debate will be held on Monday, 26th January, at 4:30 pm.
This is a HUGE milestone, but it’s not the finish line.
For this debate to make a real impact, we need as many MPs in the room on debate day as possible, supporting our petition and fighting for changes in our children’s education!
Have you signed the petition and want to take your support one step further? Are you a parent, educator, or supporter of play-based learning, and want the government to know how serious we are about wanting changes made to our educational system for our children?
Now that the debate day is announced, your individual voice matters more than ever. Writing to your MP may feel daunting, but it is one of the simplest, quickest, and most effective ways to help make a change.
To make things easy, we have included a ready-to-use letter template below. You are welcome to use it as it is or adapt it to reflect your own experiences. Please forward your MP’s response to playislearningcampaign@mymummyteacher.com so we can track if they are happy to publicly support the Play is Learning Campaign.
Thank you so much for all your support in this journey so far! I'm so excited for this petition to be debated in Parliament. Let’s do this, for our children!!! Ruth x
Follow the steps below:
Step 1
Post your postcode into writetothem
Step 2
Scroll down and find your Member of Parliament.
Step 3
Write to your MP. You can use our template letter below as a template or for some inspiration.
Step 4
Fill out your details in the boxes and press send.
You have done a great thing, thank you.
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing to ask you to publicly add your signature in support of the Play is Learning Campaign and petition titled “Make Play and Continuous Provision statutory in England’s Key Stage 1 Curriculum.”, scheduled for the upcoming parliamentary debate on Monday 26th January 2026. The petition calls on the government to revise statutory guidance for Key Stage 1 so that play-based pedagogy becomes a core component of the curriculum. Its aim is to extend the highly effective practices seen in Early Years into Key Stage 1, ensuring that children continue to benefit from a developmentally appropriate, play-based approach to learning.
To introduce an expectation that a Key Stage One classroom will be play-based, mirroring the best practice seen in Early Years. This is to be done through statutory provision, or at the very least, recommended in an advisory government and Ofsted document as a crucial pedagogical approach for learning and positive mental health. Without this in place, despite the evidence, many schools will continue to use a formal and traditional way of teaching, which, as research shows, is not the best way for children to learn.
This matters because:
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UNICEF and UNESCO affirm that play-based learning remains critical up to at least age 8, the KS1 years. The UN recognises play as a legal right under Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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England is the only UK nation where play-based learning is not protected in early primary, creating a policy cliff edge as children move from EYFS to Year 1.
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Nearly 40% of pupils do not meet expected standards by the end of primary school, a gap that play-based pedagogy has been shown to reduce.
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1 in 6 children aged 7–10 has a probable mental health condition. Play-based learning strengthens resilience, reduces stress and supports emotional wellbeing.
Together, these indicators highlight an urgent need for developmentally appropriate learning environments in Key Stage 1 (aged 5 - 7 years).
As a parent of [insert children and ages], I am passionate about ensuring that all children receive the best possible start in life. I am already thinking ahead to my own child’s journey through education, and I hope that by the time they reach Key Stage 1, a meaningful and well-supported play-based approach will be firmly embedded in schools. (Please see example paragraphs below.)
With the parliamentary debate on this petition now confirmed for Monday 26 January 2026, it is more important than ever for MPs to demonstrate visible support. By publicly adding your name to this campaign, you would be showing parents, educators, and constituents that you recognise the value of play in learning and support a more child-centred approach in Key Stage 1.
I would be extremely grateful if you could:
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Publicly state your support by responding that you are happy to add your signature to this campaign, which will also be handed into Downing Street on debate day.
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Attend the debate on 26 January 2026 at 4:30 pm; and
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Speak in favour of strengthening play-based learning and continuous provision in the Key Stage 1 curriculum.
Your support would mean a great deal to families and professionals who believe that Key Stage 1 should remain grounded in evidence-based, developmentally appropriate practice.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I look forward to hearing your views.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Examples for alternative text you can use for paragraph 2
As a teacher with 11 years of experience in the classroom, I have seen firsthand the benefits of play-based learning for children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. This approach is not only effective but also essential for young children's learning and well-being. By signing this petition, I am showing my support for a more child-centred and play-based approach to learning in Key Stage 1.
As a parent of two young children, I am passionate about ensuring that they have the best possible start in life. My eldest child is due to start Reception in September, and I am excited but also concerned about the transition from play-based learning in preschool to a more formal approach in school. My youngest child is just 6 months old, and I am already thinking about their future educational journey. I hope that by the time they reach Key Stage 1, a more play-based approach will be embedded in schools.
As a carer of a 2-year-old, I am passionate about ensuring that children have the best possible start in life. I am already thinking about their future educational journey and hope that by the time they reach Key Stage 1, a more play-based approach will be embedded in schools.
As a father of a son who started Reception in September, I have already seen the importance of a nurturing and play-based environment in the early years of education. I believe that this approach should continue into Key Stage 1 to support children's ongoing development and love of learning.
As a parent of two young children, I am deeply concerned about the approach to learning in our schools. My eldest was due to start Reception in September, but we have made the difficult decision to defer their entry by a year due to concerns that they would not thrive in a non-play-based environment. As a child who loves to learn through play, I worry that the current approach to Key Stage 1 would stifle their natural curiosity and creativity. My youngest child is currently 2 years old, and I am already thinking about their future educational journey. I hope that by the time they reach Key Stage 1, a more play-based approach will be embedded in schools.
As a grandparent of two young children, I am excited but also concerned about the transition to school for my eldest grandchild, who is starting Reception in September. I want them to have the best possible start to their educational journey and believe that a play-based approach would be beneficial for their development. My youngest grandchild is currently 2 years old, and I am already thinking about their future educational journey. I hope that by the time they reach Key Stage 1, a more play-based approach will be embedded in schools.
As a father of two children, I am fortunate to see the benefits of a play-based approach to learning firsthand. My eldest is currently in Year 1 and is lucky to be attending a school that continues to prioritise play-based learning throughout Key Stage 1. I have been impressed by the school's exemplary approach and the positive impact it has had on my child's love of learning. My youngest is due to start Reception at the same school next September, and I am excited to see them benefit from the same approach.
As a mother to a child who started Reception in September and will be moving into Year 1, I am excited but also concerned about the transition from preschool to school and then into Key Stage 1. As a stepmother to two older children who are currently in Key Stage 2, I have seen the difference in their educational journey as they have progressed through school. A play-based approach to learning is essential for young children's development, and I would love to see this approach become a standard part of the Key Stage 1 curriculum.