How to Maintain a Safe Outdoor Play Area in Preschool

Anyone who works with small children knows that you have to "have eyes in the back of your head," and that some mishaps will happen no matter how vigilant you are. Preschoolers are especially vulnerable because they are fully mobile and have not developed a sense of danger. As a result of studying the most common accidents in children, the U.S. Product Safety Commission has produced a Handbook for Public Playground Safety. Many of the guidelines can be employed in the preschool setting.

Instructions

• 1

  Supervise the children at all times. This is of prime importance in maintaining safety. The outdoor play area should be clearly visible by staff. Allocate specific supervisory duties to members of staff so that each person knows what he should be doing. Small children should be accompanied to the play area, and any hazards along the path should also be removed. For this age group, at least one member of staff will need to be in the play area throughout the play time.

• 2

  Use age appropriate play equipment. The area in the front of, under and behind the piece of equipment should be covered by an impact absorbent material of at least nine inches in depth. According to the Handsbook for Public Playground Safety, the most common cause of accidents in the under 4 age group is the swing. A maximum of two small swings should be sited together, with impact absorbing surfaces beneath.

• 3

  Separate quiet area of play from the more active. Cycle helmets should not be worn in the play area. Intervene and remove any child who is becoming overexcited and playing roughly. Erect appropriate barriers so that the children do not run out into traffic. However, any screening should not block the staffs' view of the children.

• 4

  Site equipment correctly. Swings, for instance, should be in a corner so that other children are not accidentally kicked while passing. Check that the play area has correct drainage so that it does not become wet and slippery.