The master's project addresses the development of babies as active subjects from the first months of life, highlighting their significant interaction with the environment. During this initial phase, they develop motor, cognitive and emotional skills, with an emphasis on the crucial role of emotional bonds with caregivers. The need for many mothers to work leads some babies to attend daycare centers, highlighting the importance of interactions outside the family environment. Early childhood education plays a fundamental role, promoting free play as essential for the integral development of children, according to guidelines such as the BNCC. In this way, the importance of playing for children's autonomy, creativity, social and emotional skills is highlighted. Furthermore, according to the Pikler approach, free play contributes to the autonomous development of babies. In this sense, the master's project will investigate the conceptions and practices of teachers at a municipal daycare center in Recife, in relation to free play, and its importance for child development.