Every child should have access to a safe playground where they can build strong muscles and burn off their energy. Schools have a responsibility to keep students safe, and you’ll find it easier to maintain safety on your facility’s playground when you use these strategies.
1- Choose Age-Appropriate Equipment
Playground equipment comes in a wide range of styles and sizes. Make sure to keep the ages and abilities of your school’s students in mind when you choose equipment. Checking out the age ratings helps you select play structures that everyone can enjoy.
2- Implement Inclusive Design Practices
As a school facilities manager or educator, you already know that children have many different needs. Inclusive playgrounds incorporate features such as ramps, ground-level interactive toys, and accessible surface materials that invite all children to play. Inclusive designs also entice more families to choose your school when they see the effort to make sure every child’s developmental needs are met.
3- Teach Children Essential Safety Rules
Students often need guidance to learn how to play safely on playground equipment. For instance, you might need to teach the children to avoid walking in front of swings. Or, your teachers might need to remind children not to climb up slides when someone might be coming down.
4- Install Safety Signs
Both teachers and students benefit from having safety reminders placed strategically around the playground. If your play area has two or more structures, then you can place signs that remind people of the ages they are meant to support. Designated areas for preschoolers and toddlers can help prevent them from using equipment that is too tall for safe climbing.
5- Use Non-Skid Rubber Surfacing
Rubber mulch and pour-in-place surfacing are perfect for reducing the risk of falls. Since rubber has elasticity, it can provide more shock-absorbency compared to concrete and gravel. Non-skid rubber surfacing also prevents slip-and-fall accidents that commonly occur when children try to run on slick ground. Plus, you can pick out different colors of rubber mulch for the surface that makes a safe and attractive play area.
6- Establish Clear Boundaries
Many school playgrounds lack clear boundary lines to keep children from running into the street. Adding a fence can help students know exactly where they need to stay to be safe, and installing fences can help keep balls and other toys from rolling away. If your school has exceptionally young students, then you may want to add gates with latches that are out of their reach.
7- Create an Inspection and Reporting Plan
Even brand new playgrounds can develop issues over time. Appoint specific faculty members to inspect the playground regularly. Ideally, someone should inspect the playground every morning and again before the school closes for the day. If a problem is found, teachers need to know who to report to, such as the school’s custodian or maintenance team.
Back To School: Two Important Factors to Consider(Opens in a new browser tab)
8- Encourage Adults to Circulate and Observe
When it comes to safety, nothing can replace adult supervision. Encourage educators, parents, and other adults to help maintain safety by walking throughout the play area as the children explore their space. Watching out for unsafe behavior helps teachers address it before it becomes a major concern.
Once you’ve set up the perfect playground, encourage everyone to do their part to keep it safe. Teaching students to help report issues they see and establishing a regular maintenance plan ensures that every surface stays in good condition for optimal play times.
Discussion about this post