Oglala Lakota College Head Start/Early Head Start Program
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: Playground Safety
PURPOSE
To provide a safe outside play area for Head Start and Early Head Start center.
POLICY
The OLC HS/EHS Program Centers will provide and maintain a safe outdoor play area that is properly designed, and age and developmentally appropriate to prevent injuries to the children.
PROCEDURE
Playground Equipment and Grounds
(1) A list of all playground equipment provided at the OLC HS/EHS Program Centers will be developed and updated annually by the Facilities Manager. The list of all playground equipment, and what age groups can use the equipment, will be maintained on file at the Center in the Facilities binder.
(2) The Bus Driver will ensure that all playground equipment is age and developmentally appropriate based on the manufacturers labeling of the equipment.
(3) The playground layout and design, equipment, type and depth of fill material, and equipment construction and design were inspected and approved by the I.H.S. Office of Environmental Health Advisor (Sanitarian) and this should be documented with a date and approval and this should be maintained on file with each center in the Facility binder.
(4) Any modifications to the playground design, layout or equipment will be approved by the I.H.S. O.E.H. Health Advisor before modification.
(5) Staff ratios will be maintained at all times and children will be supervised by at least two staff members while on the playground.
(6) The Teacher and Bus Driver will develop a set of playground safety rules based on the equipment manufacture’s recommendations and general safety considerations. These rules will be reviewed with the staff and will be posted at the exit used to access playground area.
(7) The playground safety rules will be reviewed with the center staff and children on the first day of class and before the children use the playground. The playground staff will remind children of the safety rules while the children are at play.
8) Bike helmets will be utilized when children are using the bicycles. Bike helmets will be replaced once chipped, cracked, faded straps or other damage is visible on the bike helmet.
Playground Inspections
(1) Each playground will be inspected daily prior to use by the children by using the Daily Playground Check form by the Bus Driver/Maintenance staff. This staff member will ensure that any problems identified during the daily inspection are corrected immediately or the equipment or area of the playground restricted from use until the problem or hazard is corrected.
a. The Daily Playground Check will be reviewed monthly by the Transportation/Facility Manager and during the staff meetings to identify recurring problems and develop methods or ways to prevent the recurrence of these problems.
b. The Daily Playground Check will be maintained in the facilities binder at the center for three years (or longer if required by Tribal or State laws).
(2) The staff will notify the Facilities Manager of any equipment or playground hazards noted by the children or the supervisory staff. These hazards will be noted on the Daily Playground Check for that day. The staff will correct any problems that can be corrected immediately before the children enter the playground.
(3) The playground equipment will be inspected monthly by the Bus Driver/Maintenance staff using the Monthly Playground Inspection Report. Any equipment hazards identified will be corrected immediately or the equipment will be taken out of service until the problem can be corrected.
(a) The Monthly Playground Inspection Report will be reviewed regularly by the center staff to identify recurring hazards with specific types or brands of equipment, and develop methods to prevent the recurrence of these hazards.
(b) The Monthly Playground Inspection form will be maintained on file at the center for three years (or longer if required by Tribal or State laws), and reviewed monthly by Transportation/ Facility Manager.
(4) Playground equipment that cannot be repaired or made safe will be removed from the playground area as soon as possible.
Playground Monitoring
(1) No more than one Head Start Classroom shall be allowed on the playground at any given time with the exception of Pine Ridge Head Start classrooms they will be allowed two Head Start classrooms on the playground.
(2) Early Head Start classrooms shall use the Early Head Start playground equipment only
(3) EHS/HS classrooms can spend up to one hour per day outside on the playground.
DOCUMENTATION
Daily Playground Check
Monthly Playground Inspection Report
Staff meeting notes/minutes
Repair/Maintenance Request
REGULATORY REFERENCE(S):
Head Start Performance Standards 1304.52; 1304.53;
Environmental Health Standards 4-120.1 – 4-120.6
Adapted from Model Tribal Head Start Health and Safety Code-Indian Health Service/Office of Environmental Health
Reviewed No Changes: 04/11/12
Revised: 09/14/06
PC Approval: 10/23/06
BOT Approval: 11/21/06