The centrality of play in children’s ideal after-school environments

This article presents an overview of children’s views and preferences regarding how they spend their time after school. It draws on Department of Children and Youth Affairs’ (DCYA) consultations, held in May and June 2016, with children on their views of after-school care. In the first instance we offer a brief overview of the consultations. Thereafter, we detail the importance children placed on play during these consultations and the types of play the children identified and valued. Finally, we consider how these views can inform and interact with the development of play policy in Ireland.