Lunchtime CAPS Project
In September 2024, we made significant changes to our lunchtime provision. In partnership with the University of Gloucestershire, we launched our CAPS Playtimes initiative. Children's Access to Play in Schools (CAPS) is a project designed to get children more active during playtimes and lunchtimes.
This article is from The British Association for Early Childhood Education and considers the benefits of children taking risks in play https://early-education.org.uk/taking-risks-in-play/. Our new approach is very much rooted in research from the British Association for Early Childhood Education.
Please find our play policy here -
CAPS RISK Benefit Record Sheet (July 2025)
Risk Benefit
We cannot - nor do we aim to - remove all risks at lunchtimes and playtimes. Part of the CAPS ethos is that children must learn to take risks and decide what they are able to safely achieve. However, we have taken many steps to ensure the risks children are taking are not extreme or unnecessary. Below is our risk-benefit assessment. We believe the benefits of our lunchtime approach far outweigh the risks.
The benefits include
- children active for longer
- happier children and improvement in children's wellbeing
- reduction in misbehaviour
- inclusive for all children
- opportunities to investigate and be curious
- opportunities for children to take part in play-based activities that they cannot do at home
- develop life skills
- provide opportunities for turn-taking
Children's Access to Play in Schools is a project run by the University of Gloucestershire based very closely on OPAL. OPAL stands for Outdoor Play and Learning and is used by schools locally.
CAPS
