Play is one of the essential needs of children. Play deprivation is defined as the neglect that children experience due to not being able to meet their play needs on time and sufficiently, which is the basis of their lifelong development as psychological, cognitive, and physically healthy individuals. This study aims to determine the views of 48-60 month-old children on play in preschool and the play deprivation situation in preschool according to these views. This study is basic qualitative research. Thirty children of 48-60 months of age who attend an independent preschool affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in a central district in Ankara in the 2019-2020 academic year and whose families are at a medium socioeconomic level were included in the study. The semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers was used as the data collection tool. The interviews were conducted faceto-face with each child, and the content analysis technique was used to analyze the data. As a result of the study, it was determined that the children thought that permission was required to play in preschool, play in preschool can be forbidden, and they can mostly ask for help from an adult in case playing was forbidden at preschool. The children's statement that there would be no time for having a class or performing activities if play increased was among the remarkable findings. In line with the findings, various suggestions were made regarding the quality of play in preschools. The results are thought to be important in reviewing and re-evaluating early childhood education policies, cultural perspectives towards play, and the place of play in preschool.