Guidance on inspection will now specifically refer to play after lobbying from organisations including the Children's Play Council and SkillsActive.
The issue was raised last week in the House of Lords by Labour peer Lord Pendry, who successfully amended the Children Bill, now the Children Act 2004, to include recreation.
He was assured by Baroness Andrews, speaking for the Government, that inspection guidance would "clarify play is within the scope of the key judgments on recreational provision".
"That is the first time that inspection will make reference to play and recreation. That is an important step forward," she added.
A letter to Lord Pendry from children's minister Margaret Hodge stated: "I have spoken to the inspectorates and commissions who have been consulting on the draft framework for children's services inspection and they assured me the word 'play' is now specifically mentioned."
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