The BBC has announced plans to bring back Play School, a beloved children’s television show that first aired in 1964 and ran for over two decades. Known for its gentle, educational approach and iconic presenters like Floella Benjamin and Johnny Ball, the show will be updated for modern audiences as part of the BBC’s push to provide high-quality children’s content in an era dominated by online platforms. The new version will be part of the BBC’s CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel, offering parents and carers practical play ideas, expert advice, and learning resources for young children. This revival comes as concerns grow about the quality of online content for children, with critics pointing to an increase in low-quality, addictive material. These worries are being investigated by a group of UK politicians called the culture, media and sport select committee. The BBC’s decision to revive Play School also reflects its broader strategy to create strong, globally competitive children’s brands. The move coincides with the launch of the BBC’s “parenting promise,” a pledge to support children’s learning through play. The original Play School aimed to bring the nursery experience into children’s homes, and the new series will also be live-action, not animated. The BBC is inviting producers to submit ideas for the show, with a focus on traditional elements like songs, stories, movement, music, poetry, and imaginative play. Producers have been told the goal is to preserve the values that made Play School one of the BBC’s most enduring and respected children’s programs. Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s and Education, stressed the need for trusted, high-quality content in today’s fast-changing media environment. She highlighted that Play School represents key CBeebies values: creativity, curiosity, imagination, and learning through play. Hidalgo also expressed concern about the decline in children’s programming in the UK, noting a 40% drop in investment by major broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 over the past 14 years. This has brought total investment below £80 million, and the amount of original children’s content has nearly halved to less than 400 hours. Meanwhile, online platforms have seen a surge in content tailored for young audiences. Pre-production for the new Play School is set to begin in February 2027, with the first episodes expected to air during the 2027-28 financial year. The revival aims to bring back the charm and educational value of the original while adapting to the needs of today’s families and digital platforms.