What does play-based education mean? How does it work?

There is an interesting article in Every child , Vol 15 No3 2009 about creating learning environments, the article gives a snapshot on creating a supportive environment for educators and children.

Play based learning: a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations. The Early Years Learning Framework 2009

Play based learning is experiential and experimental. It is child directed but guided by teachers to grow understanding and competence.