If you are an individual who runs a daycare, then there is no doubt that you are diligent about safety at your establishment. Not only do you take safety seriously because you do not want to be the victim of a lawsuit, but you are also aware of the weight of the responsibility that you have on your shoulders. You are tasked with taking care of little human beings who are vulnerable, and at times they have a propensity towards mischief.
You do everything in your power to ensure their safety because you know that their parents have placed their lives and well-being in your hands. In this article, you will find a few steps that you can take to assure safety on the playground at your daycare.
1. Do Not Allow Roughhousing
Kids love to run, push and play, but you do well to implement a strict policy against roughhousing. Not only does roughhousing wind children up, but it can also lead to them getting hurt. There is no problem with children playing tag, running, or jumping, but they should not push, pull, or fight.
2. Make Sure Playground Equipment is in Good Order
Accidents that happen on the playground can often be due to a fault in the playground equipment. Since this is equipment that gets heavy use, it is your responsibility to make sure that the equipment is in great working order. This may mean having it regularly tuned up and having professionals come out to make sure that everything is in the right place. Children will be completely unaware of any faults in playground equipment, so that is something that is completely on you.
3. Do Regular Checks on the playground
In order to make sure that the playground is safe, do a regular check before the children go out to play. This would include a daily walk around the playground in order to make sure that there are no sharp objects or any apparent issues with equipment. By doing a brief check every day before the children start to play, you could avoid a series of unneeded accidents.
4. Install a Soft Surface for Play Areas
The surface of the playground can be extremely important when it comes to slips and falls. Artificial turf can be a wise investment if you have a daycare. This is turf that not only allows children to play around without messing up dirt and grass, but this turf also is durable and child-friendly. A grass turf surface will keep the playground area clean, and it will add more softness to the ground. Call installation services for artificial grass in Memphis or wherever your facility is located if you are looking for a quote. With artificial turf, you can add additional padding underneath so that there is more cushioning for the children when they are at play.
Another popular alternative for a daycare facility is wood chips, but there are cons to this. Wood chips can be susceptible to mold and decay, can harbor bacteria and fungus, and produce a splinter risk in the event a child falls.
5. Supervise Playtime
There should always be an adult with the children when it is time to play. Little children are prone to accidents, and the last thing that you want to do is leave them unsupervised. Unfortunately, a serious accident can happen with children if they are left unsupervised for just a little bit of time, so make supervision a top priority. This means that you are not able to multitask when the kids are playing, but their safety is worth it. You may do well to increase your staff to allow for a few adults to always be supervising the children. It will be a worthwhile investment.
6. Make Sure All Equipment is Age-appropriate
A little toddler should not be playing with equipment that is intended for a second-grader. The best thing to do is to have different sections in your daycare for the different age groups, and do not allow children to play on equipment that is not age-appropriate.
Keep Things Safe
Owning a daycare can be an enjoyable adventure, but it is also a high calling. You are tasked with taking care of extremely vulnerable little ones, and you must take this job seriously. Taking care of children can be fun and enjoyable, but the responsibility is still heavy. By making some adjustments to your daycare playground, you can ensure that all of the kids at your establishment are able to have a great experience without running the risk of serious injuries.
