Free play opportunities for Scotland’s children will be increased following a £3 million investment from the Scottish Government.

Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell announced the funding during a visit to Thornlie Primary in Wishaw. The money will see an expansion of a selected number of ‘Play Ranger’ models (£1.5 million) which provides children with community based play opportunities and the ‘Grounds For Learning’ initiative to improve school playgrounds (£1.05 million). It will also be used to support and develop staff across Scotland’s play sector (£450,000).

The funding package runs until 2015 and will be managed by Inspiring Scotland (IS) and Grounds for Learning (GfL).

Ms Campbell said: "Play is central to how children learn and a basic part of their overall quality of life. As a Government we recognise it’s crucial to develop quality play spaces for our children as part of their positive, wider development. This funding will help build upon some of the great work already underway to enhance play opportunities for our children and help make Scotland the best place for children to grow up."

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Andrew Muirhead, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland said: "Over the past two years, the Go Play programme has gathered evidence which shows the effectiveness of the Play Ranger model in enabling more children to access free play in their local communities.

"We are delighted this new investment will enable us to continue working with a selected number of existing Play Rangers models with the ability to grow and expand in some of the communities of greatest need in Scotland, proving more opportunities for children to develop through free play.

"Through this new investment, Inspiring Scotland will also look at ways of continuing to support the wider play sector. "

Grounds For Learning’s Programme Manager, Alastair Seaman said: "We know children’s opportunities to play outdoors in natural spaces are shrinking so we’re thrilled the Scottish Government has recognised the strategic importance of school playgrounds and play times in giving children the play experiences vital for an active, healthy and happy childhood."

The investment will be drawn from the wider £270 million Early Years Change Fund, which includes a Scottish Government contribution of £50 million over the next four years.

Grounds for Learning is the Scottish programme of the UK charity Learning through Landscapes and supports outdoor learning and play for children.

Play Rangers facilitate free play opportunities in areas not traditionally seen as play spaces. Recent initiatives have seen the model adapt play locations from the likes of city streets, closes and deserted waste ground.

(GK)