The master's dissertation addressed 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. Early childhood education plays a fundamental role in promoting free play as essential to the integral development of children, according to guidelines such as the BNCC. In this context, the importance of play is emphasized for fostering children’s autonomy, creativity, and social and emotional skills. Furthermore, according to the Pikler approach, free play contributes to the autonomous development of babies. Given this, the study was guided by the following research question: “What is the conception of free play, and what practices are used by teachers working in early childhood education within Recife’s municipal school system to encourage free play?” The general objective of this research was to investigate the conceptions and practices employed by daycare teachers in Recife's municipal education system to promote free play among children aged 0 to 3, considering the Pikler approach. The specific objectives were organized as follows: a) To understand the conception that early childhood education teachers have regarding free play and their role in promoting it; b) To identify and understand the practices implemented by early childhood education teachers in fostering free play, considering the Pikler approach. The theoretical foundation of the research is based on Emmi Pikler’s approach to free play and discussions on early childhood education guided by the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC). This study employed a qualitative research methodology aimed at investigating the conceptions and practices of a municipal daycare teacher in Recife regarding free play under the Pikler approach. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and observations with videographic records to explore the teacher's conception and practices related to free play. Observations were conducted with Group I at the Vila Imperial Municipal Daycare, located in Arruda, Recife, Pernambuco. The data analysis was informed by the Pikler approach, which emphasizes the care and education of babies based on fostering autonomy through spontaneous activity and free play. The results indicated that while the teacher demonstrated some alignment with the Pikler approach, certain practices still diverged from its principles.