《Safe_Play_Space》.pdfVIP

Director of Licensing Standards of Practice Safe Play Space Number: 10/07 Effective Date: December 10, 2007 This Standard of Practice is made under the authority of section 4(1) of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act (CCALA), which provides that the Director of Licensing may: (e) specify policies and standards of practice for all community care facilities or a class of community care facilities…. A safe and well-planned play space creates an appropriate balance between safety and meeting children’s developmental needs. It should offer activities to encourage the development of perception and physical skills and include opportunities for social, physical, and cognitive forms of play. STANDARD OF PRACTICE PLAY SPACE DESIGN • Landscape is an important component of an outdoor play space. Features such as small grassy bumps or hills, pathways for a variety of activities, different types of surfaces (grass, sidewalks, sand, smooth, bumpy, etc.) and shaded areas should be considered. The licensee must ensure that enough shade is provided to protect children from sunburn and sunstroke. Trees should be considered as they may help to provide shade as well as to absorb noise and promote air quality. • The licensee must ensure that any equipment provided is placed to reduce direct exposure to sun. Equipment such as slides may become too hot to use during certain times of the day if they are sited poorly. • Noise from traffic, construction, industrial activities and hard surfaces should be considered when designing a play space. Environmental pollutants should also be considered (e.g., parking lot adjacent to the play space). • For prevention of entrapment, spaces (i.e., hol