Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg on PLAY

Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg has dedicated over three decades to Early Years education, evolving from reception teacher to headteacher of a three-form entry school. He has authored 28 books published by Bloomsbury and Sage, advised the government’s Education Select Committee on Early Years Policy, and currently works as an international early years consultant. His expertise in continuous provision and child-led learning has made him one of the most respected voices in early years education.

In this fascinating discussion, Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg shares his deep understanding of how continuous provision supports children’s natural learning through play. He offers practical insights into creating environments that truly enable children’s development, rather than just keeping them occupied. His evidence-based approach helps practitioners move beyond activities towards meaningful play experiences that support children’s cognitive and social development.

In this episode you’ll:

• Discover why continuous provision isn’t just about having resources available, but about creating spaces that continue learning when adults aren’t present
• Learn how to evaluate your setting’s provision through the lens of children’s common play behaviours
• Understand the crucial difference between enhancements and continuous provision – and when to use each
• Explore practical examples of how to develop provision that matches children’s actual needs rather than adult assumptions
• See how research shows play-based learning develops critical thinking skills more effectively than formal teaching approaches

Watch this episode to understand how to create truly enabling environments that support children’s natural development through play, while meeting your setting’s learning objectives.

Episode Links:

https://abcdoes.com/
Find the PLAYList here:
https://abcdoes.substack.com/
https://abcdoes.com/pages/brilliant-beginnings
Find Dr Bryce-Clegg’s online courses here:
https://abcdoesot.thinkific.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alistair-bryce-clegg-5710321a/
https://www.facebook.com/abcdoes
https://www.instagram.com/abcdoes/
https://x.com/abcdoes
https://uk.pinterest.com/abcdoes/

Some of the research that was referenced during this session can be found here:
https://www.froebel.org.uk/events/froebel-trust-autumn-lecture-2024
https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/minds-still-matter

For more information on Loris Malaguzzi, see our guide here:
https://www.earlyyears.tv/loris-malaguzzi-reggio-emilia/