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Play-Based Childcare

Play-Based Childcare is the most common approach in Australian early learning. It treats play as the engine of development—building language, social skills, self-regulation, creativity, and early foundations for literacy and numeracy. Most long day care and preschool programs in Australia are play-based and operate within the National Quality Framework (NQF), planning with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). If the service is approved, families who meet eligibility can claim the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

What is Play-Based Childcare?

Play-Based Childcare (sometimes called play-based learning) is a child-centred approach where educators design rich environments and intentional experiences so children learn through play. Play can be free (child-led) or guided (supported by an educator’s prompts, questions, or resources). The aim is to integrate EYLF outcomes into everyday activity—so children explore ideas, try strategies, collaborate with peers, and build confidence while they play.

In a play-based room you’ll see learning areas (blocks, dramatic play, art/makerspace, books, science, construction, music), open-ended materials (loose parts, natural items), and a daily rhythm that balances indoor/outdoor learning, small-group experiences, and unhurried care routines.

Play-Based Childcare – A Short History

Play as the “work of childhood” goes back to pioneers like Friedrich Fröbel (kindergarten), John Dewey (experiential learning), and Jean Piaget/Lev Vygotsky (constructivist and social learning). In Australia, play-based practice has long shaped preschool and long day care programs and is embedded in the EYLF, which emphasises Belonging, Being and Becoming. Evidence shows that high-quality play builds executive function, language, early math and science thinking, social competence, and wellbeing—setting children up for school and life.

Core Play-Based Childcare Principles

Child agency & voice
Children make real choices, follow interests, and co-construct learning with peers and educators.

Intentional teaching
Educators extend play with questions, vocabulary, modelling, and provocations—linking experiences to EYLF outcomes.

Holistic development
Learning spans physical, social-emotional, language, creative, and cognitive domains in integrated ways.

Rich environments
Inviting indoor/outdoor spaces with open-ended materials encourage exploration, risk-benefit learning, and creativity.

Inclusion & belonging
Culturally responsive practice, adjustments for additional needs, and strong partnerships with families.

Assessment for learning
Observation, documentation, and reflection inform planning (cycles of observe → analyse → plan → implement → evaluate).

How this looks by age

  • 0–3 (Infant/Toddler): Sensory play, songs and fingerplays, simple pretend play, treasure baskets, cause-and-effect exploration, gross-motor and outdoor play.
  • 3–5/6 (Preschool/Kindergarten): Complex dramatic play, construction and design challenges, early STEM provocations, story retells, small-group projects, cooperative games, creative arts.

Play-Based Childcare vs Montessori & Reggio Emilia – Which fits your child?

Big idea

  • Play-Based: Broad, flexible curriculum where play drives learning and educators scaffold toward outcomes.
  • Montessori: Independence and concentration via self-chosen, hands-on materials in a carefully prepared environment.
  • Reggio Emilia: Collaborative inquiry and long-form projects, with documentation that makes thinking visible.

Role of the educator

  • Play-Based: Designer and intentional teacher—sets up environments, joins play to extend ideas, runs targeted small groups.
  • Montessori: Guide/observer—presents precise lessons, then steps back for self-directed practice.
  • Reggio: Co-researcher—listens, documents, and extends group investigations.

Materials & environment

  • Play-Based: Open-ended materials, themed areas, indoor/outdoor flow, frequent refresh of provocations.
  • Montessori: Specific self-correcting materials on ordered shelves; minimalist, child-sized spaces.
  • Reggio: Loose parts, studio/atelier, environment as “third teacher,” documentation panels.

Day structure

  • Play-Based: Flexible blocks of free/guided play, small-group learning, stories, music, mealtimes, and outdoor sessions.
  • Montessori: Long uninterrupted work cycle (often 2–3 hours).
  • Reggio: Project blocks and small-group collaboration with regular reflection.

Best-fit tendencies (every child is unique)

  • Play-Based: Children who love variety, social play, and exploring many interests with gentle guidance.
  • Montessori: Children who enjoy focused, independent tasks and real-life practical work.
  • Reggio: Children who thrive on collaboration, storytelling, and project work.

Quality note
Any approach can be excellent (or average). Focus on NQS practice, educator qualifications, warm relationships, and how learning is documented.

What a Play-Based Childcare Day Looks Like

Arrival & free play: Children settle into preferred areas; educators observe and join play.
Small-group time: Songs, phonological games, shared reading, counting and patterning, inquiry prompts.
Indoor/outdoor program: Construction challenges, dramatic play, art/makerspace, gardening, sport and movement, nature exploration.
Project/workshop blocks: Educator-led provocations (STEM, literacy, creative arts) linked to children’s interests.
Meals & care routines: Unhurried, social times that build language, independence, and self-care.
Story/music circle: Shared texts, music and movement, reflection on the day.

How to Choose a Play-Based Childcare Service

What to look for (quick checklist)

  • Qualified educators with visible intentional teaching in play.
  • Inviting, well-resourced environments indoors and outdoors; open-ended materials; inclusive adaptations.
  • Warm relationships and strong everyday interactions.
  • Documentation that shows learning progress and links to EYLF outcomes.
  • Child voice evident in planning (interests, choices, project ideas).
  • Active outdoor program and sensible risk-benefit play.
  • Partnerships with families and culturally responsive practice.

Questions to ask on a tour

  • “How do you plan and extend learning through play?”
  • “Can you show me documentation that links play to EYLF outcomes?”
  • “How do you support additional needs or sensory differences?”
  • “What does your indoor/outdoor program look like across the week?”
  • “How is quality reflected in NQS areas such as QA1 (Educational Program and Practice), QA3 (Physical Environment), and QA5 (Relationships)?”

Quality & compliance (Australia)
All approved services — Montessori Childcare included — operate under the NQF/NQS and plan learning with the EYLF (or MTOP for school-aged care). Check published ratings and ask to see the service’s Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
Read more: National Quality Framework

Fees & CCS
If the service is an approved provider, families who meet eligibility can claim the Child Care Subsidy. Use the calculator to estimate costs before enrolling.
Start here: Child Care Subsidy Calculator

Common Myths (and the Reality)

“Play-Based means no teaching.”
High-quality play-based programs use intentional teaching—educators actively extend thinking, language, and skills within play.

“It’s all chaos.”
Great play-based rooms are well-planned with clear routines, safe boundaries, and purposeful learning areas.

“Play doesn’t prepare children for school.”
Play grows executive function, language, self-regulation, early literacy/numeracy, and social skills—the foundations schools value.

Is Play-Based Childcare a Good Fit for Your Family?

Often a great fit when your child…

  • Loves variety and social play with chances to explore many interests.
  • Benefits from gentle guidance and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Enjoys outdoor learning and open-ended creativity.

You might also explore…

  • Montessori Childcare if your child prefers focused, self-chosen work with concrete learning materials.
  • Reggio Childcare if your child thrives on collaboration, inquiry, and long-form projects.
  • Steiner Childcare for a strong daily rhythm, nature connection, and arts-rich routines.

Explore other Early Learning Approaches.

Play-Based Childcare – FAQs

Next Steps

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