PLAYTIME is not sufficiently encouraged in early years and primary school curricula, the National Education Union (NEU) said yesterday.

Delegates passed a motion warning that time to play “is being eroded in our current education system which focuses heavily on formal learning, phonics, commercial schemes and testing.”

They backed a campaign to remove the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA), describing the statutory mathematic and language tests as “a negative distraction from play, settling in and relationship building.”

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “Play enables children to navigate social interactions, build relationships and develop empathy. 

“It nurtures curiosity, creativity and imagination, allowing children to test ideas and explore new concepts.

“The skills developed through play lay the foundation for later success, building resilience, adaptability and confidence.  

“To harness the full benefits of play, the government must invest in and embed play across the early years and primary curriculum.”