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Playgrounds and Playground Safety

The following is a sample of organizations that have information related to developing safe and effective outdoor play environments. Also included is selected information about licensing requirements and standards for child care centers.

Federal Agencies

  • The Access Board
     The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
    1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000
    Washington, DC 20004-1111
    800-872-2253
    World Wide Web: http://www.access-board.gov

    The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Key responsibilities of the Board include: developing and maintaining accessibility requirements for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology; providing technical assistance and training on these guidelines and standards; and enforcing accessibility standards for Federally funded facilities. The following Access Board document relates to playground safety:
    • Guide to ADA Accessibility: Guidelines for Play Areas (May 2001) is intended to help designers and operators in using the accessibility guidelines for play areas. These guidelines establish minimum accessibility requirements for newly constructed and altered play areas. It provides specifications for elements within a play area to create a general level of usability for children with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that children with disabilities are generally able to access the diversity of components provided in a play area. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.access-board.gov/play/guide/guide.pdf.

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
    Publication Request
    Washington, DC 20207
    800-638-2772
    World Wide Web: http://www.cpsc.gov

    CPSC has many publications on consumer products and safety issues. For items on specific topics or a list of all of the Commission publications, contact CPSC. The following CPSC publications relate to playground safety:

    • “Tips For Public Playground Safety” (1995), Fact Sheet Publication # 324, offers consumers playground safety tips from the CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety (1981). is available on the Web at http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/Playfct.pdf.
    • The Handbook for Public Playground Safety (1981) offers detailed information on how to analyze play equipment and arrangements for safety. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf.

National Organizations

  • American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM)
    100 Barr Harbor Drive
    P.O. Box C700
    West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959
    610-832-9585
    World Wide Web: www.astm.org

    ASTM has information on the development of high-quality international standards. It provides detailed information on playground site and surface testing standards, including Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use Standard F 1487-93 and Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment Standard F 1292-95.
  • Boundless Playgrounds
     45 Wintonbury Avenue
    Bloomfield, CT 06002
    860-243-8315
    World Wide Web: http://www.boundlessplaygrounds.org

    Boundless Playgrounds provides coaching and support in project management, universal play environment design, community partnerships, volunteer recruitment, community relations, promotion, and fundraising. It helps create conceptual and equipment-specific play environment designs after identifying project priorities with stakeholders in each community. The organization also coordinates with local landscape architects, engineers, and other professionals who provide local project services for a fee or on a pro-bono basis.
  • KaBoom!
    4455 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite B100
    Washington, DC 20008
    202-659-0215, ext. 225
    World Wide Web: http://www.kaboom.org

    KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that specializes in linking individuals, communities, and corporations together to build safe and accessible playgrounds. Through this team effort, KaBoom! helps communities create a model of partnerships that achieve positive and sustainable changes in neighborhoods nationwide. They also provide “hands-on” technical assistance, comprehensive playground manuals and worksheets, and other written materials to guide the process toward community-designed, community-built playgrounds. The following publication is available from KaBoom!:
    • The Getting Started Kit: The Guide to Getting Your Playground Off the Ground (or “GSK”) contains information on the many factors to consider when planning a playground. KaBOOM! and its funding partners offer selected groups using GSK support during their planning process. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.kaboom.org/About_KaBOOM/Library_and_Resources/GSK.html.

  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
    1313 L Street NW
    Washington, DC 20005
    800-424-2460
    World Wide Web: http://naeyc.org

    NAEYC is a nonprofit membership organization for individuals interested in early childhood care and education. The organization produces a resource catalog listing brochures, books, and videos, and has a number of useful resources for planning safe and appropriately challenging outdoor play areas. These include:

    • “Paying Attention to the Outdoor Environment Is as Important as Preparing the Indoor Environment” (May 2002), in Young Children Vol. 57, No. 3, by Karen DeBord, Linda Hestenes, Robin Moore, and Nilda Cosco, describes a new instrument to assess the quality of outdoor environments for preschoolers. The Preschool Outdoor Environment Assessment Scale covers five domains: physical environment, interactions, activity areas, program, and teacher/caregiver role. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.journal.naeyc.org/search/item-detail.asp?page=1&docID=2716&sesID=1119894209445.
    • Safe Active Play (1997), developed by Video Active Production, Inc., is designed to help caregivers identify and avoid the most common causes of serious injuries during active play. The 12 hazards identified in this video are based on a list by the National Playground Safety Institute. Additional information about this 34 minute video is available on the Web at http://naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=819.
    • Safe Active Play–A Training Manual for Early Childhood Professionals (2001), by Karen Sokal-Guitierrez, accompanies the video by the same name. Additional information is available on the Web at http://naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=819B.
    • Playgrounds: Keeping Outdoor Learning Safe (1996), an Early Years are Learning Years release, is available on the Web at http://www.naeyc.org/resources/eyly/1996/05.htm.
    • Playgrounds: Safe & Sound is a brochure that provides injury prevention information related to supervision of children, equipment safety, surfacing materials, and awareness of developmentally appropriate playground environments. Additional information is available on the Web at http://naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=552.
    • The Great Outdoors: Restoring Children’s Right to Play Outside (1995), by Mary S. Rivkin, describes exciting playgrounds in the U.S. and other countries and provides practical information on safety, accessibility, and curriculum. Additional information is available on the Web at http://naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=108.
  • The National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS)
     University of Northern Iowa
    School for Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services
    Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0618
    800-554-PLAY (7529) (National Information Hotline)
    World Wide Web: http://www.playgroundsafety.org

    NPPS takes an active part in injury prevention. In this role, it promotes the National Action Plan for the Prevention of Playground Injuries; serves as a recognized national clearinghouse for playground safety information; shares cutting-edge information as a global resource through its Web page; conducts ongoing research in the area of injury prevention; houses the largest compilation of playground-related publications and documents in the nation; sponsors an annual National Playground Safety Week; produces educational videos addressing the roles of various audiences in injury prevention; and serves as a technical resource for parent groups, schools, communities, child care centers, government officials, children’s organizations, and other educators.

  • Quality in Outdoor Children's Child Care Environments
    Family and Consumer Sciences
    North Carolina State University
    World Wide Web: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/human/child/POEMS

    This Web site provides information about outdoor environments. It has links to the following resources:

    • Domains of Quality Outdoor Environments describes the physical outdoor environment, interactions, play and learning settings, program, and the teacher/caregiver role. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/human/child/domains.
    • Preschool Outdoor Environments Measurement Scale (POEMS), which has a description on the Web at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/human/child/poems1.
    • Making the Most of Outdoor Time with Preschool Children (March 2003), by Karen DeBord, Robin Moore, Linda Hestenes, Nilda Cosco, and Janet McGinnis, describes five domains for consideration when planning outdoor play and learning spaces for young children. These domains include the physical outdoor environment, interactions, play and learning settings, program, and teacher/caregiver role. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/human/pubs/FCS507.pdf.

Additional Resources

  • Playground Design and Equipment (Updated February 2006), by Linda Cain Ruth, for the Whole Building Design Guide, includes information about safety, design, materials, accessibility, and estimating costs. It provides case studies and information on relevant codes and standards. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.wbdg.org/design/playground.php.
  • Creating Playgrounds for Early Childhood Facilities (July 2005), a Community Investment Collaborative for Kids (CICK) Resource Guide, by Mav Pardee, Amy Gillman, and Cindy Larson, published by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), has information to help center plan outdoor space to achieve a successful environment for young children. It describes equipment and materials that support a range of activities that children can enjoy outdoors, lists factors to consider in selecting equipment, and offers strategies for managing the cost. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.lisc.org/content/publications/detail/814.
  • Caring Spaces, Learning Places: Children's Environments That Work (2005), 2nd ed. by Jim Greenman, presents additional detail on design considerations which support children's developmental and learning needs. Additional information about this publication is available on the Web at https://secure.ccie.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4000402.
  • Child Care Center Design Guide (July 2003), published by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), contains criteria for planning and designing child care centers in GSA-owned or controlled spaces. It includes planning for space and location, site design, interior space design, furnishings and equipment, interior finishes, and technical criteria. The report PBS-100 is available on the web at http://www.gsa.gov/gsa/cm_attachments/GSA_DOCUMENT/Design%20Guide_R2FD38_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf.
  • “Beginning Workshop: A History of Outdoor Playspaces: From the Natural Environment to Recycled Plastic” (March/April 2003), in Child Care Information Exchange, by Dorothy W. Hewes, describes current and historic use of playspaces. This resource is available on the Web at http://mail.ccie.com/library/5015001.pdf. Information about additional articles on playgrounds from the March/April 2003 issue is available on the Web at the Child Care Information Exchange catalog.
  • Playing it Safe: The Sixth Nationwide Safety Survey of Public Playgrounds (2002), by Rachel Weintraub, published by the Consumer Federation of America, presents data on hidden playground hazards as well as on local and State activity in the area of playground regulations and community advocacy. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/PlayingItSafeJune2002.pdf.
  • Child Care Design Guide (2001), by Anita Rui Olds, published by McGraw-Hill, provides detailed information about the planning and design of child care centers for architects, interior designers, developers, and child care professionals. The book is organized into four parts: 1) the child’s environment; 2) the design process; 3) ingredients of good design; and 4) the functional spaces. Step-by-step explanations are provided for interior and exterior layout and design principles through case studies. It includes licensing and code requirements; operational standards and strategies; and checklists, charts, and graphs. It features over 300 floor plans for infant and toddler, preschool, and after-school spaces, plus areas for outdoor play. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0070474494.html.
  • “Give Children a Place to Explore—Guides for Preschool Playground Design” (March/April 2001), in Child Care Information Exchange, by Betsy Caesar, discusses creating a space where children can explore themselves and their world with as few rules and as little adult intervention as possible. Additional information is available on the Web at https://secure.ccie.com/catalog/search.php?position=11&max_rows=10&&&&&category=50&search=design.
  • Head Start Center Design Guide for Head Start Facilities (April 2000), by the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Resource Center, Head Start Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, contains suggested criteria for planning, designing, and renovating Head Start centers. The content is based on the U.S. General Services Administration’s Child Care Center Design Guide. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.headstartinfo.org/pdf/hscenterdesignguide.pdf.
  • Design Standards for Children’s Environments (2000), by Linda Cain Ruth, published by McGraw-Hill, addresses the design or maintenance of spaces where children are the primary users covering both commercial and residential designs and products. Part I provides anthropometric data of children from birth to age 18; offers dimensions for typical objects within the child’s built environment; synthesizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety guidelines for play areas; and provides dimensions of typical, and sometimes untypical, products that are often found in children’s environments. Part II features a source list developed for designers, which includes products appropriate for use in children’s environments. Part III outlines the development of children’s abilities and perceptions in the first stages of life from birth to age 10, and offers a bibliography of the most effective and highly regarded resources in the area of children’s design.
  • Facility Management Child Care Resource Book (July 1999), published by the General Services Administration (GSA), provides maintenance and operations guidelines for managing GSA child care centers within the same standards and level of a GSA-operated facility. Areas covered address cleaning standards and guidelines; equipment funding and inventory; maintenance of living environments and problem areas; checklists for school safety, health, and security; designing and remodeling; and playground maintenance. Also covered are the roles and responsibilities of child care providers, and comments on operation costs and quality. Final sections address issues on fundraising such as legal considerations and steps to fundraising success. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.gsa.gov/gsa/cm_attachments/GSA_DOCUMENT/Facility%20Resource%20Book_R2E-c-oQ_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf.
  • Make Playgrounds Safe (1996), by the National Network for Child Care, discusses steps to take to prevent playground injuries. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.nncc.org/Health/dc25_playground.safe.html.
  • Play For All Guidelines: Planning, Design, and Management of Outdoor Play Settings for All Children (1992), 2nd ed., eds. Robin C. Moore, Susan M. Goltsman and Daniel S. Iacofano, provides information about designs for integrating children of all abilities and addresses a full range of play-related issues. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.migcom.com/MIGProducts.html.

Regulations and Standards

There are no Federal regulations for early child care and education programs. Each State develops its own minimum standards for licensing early childhood programs. Standards generally address such issues as group size, adult-to-child ratio, staff qualifications, and maintaining safe and healthy environments.

  • Information about space requirements and other regulations for each State is available from the State office responsible for licensing of child care programs. State licensing offices are listed under “Contact Information” on the State Profiles, which is available for each State on the NCCIC Web site at http://dev.nccic.org/statepro.html.
  • Individual States’ Child Care Licensure Regulations of the child care licensing standards for center-based child care for all 50 States and the District of Columbia is available on the Web site of the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/states.htm.
  • Stepping Stones (2nd Edition) (2003), by the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care (NRC), is a compilation of the standards from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs found to be most directly related to assuring the health and safety of children in group care. This resource is available on the Web at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STEPPING/index.htm.
  • Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs (2002), 2nd ed., available from the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care, addresses many health and safety concerns that arise in children’s settings, including nutrition, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, playground safety, and prevention of communicable diseases. This resource is available on the Web at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/CFOC/index.html.

Updated March 2006