Smilie Preschool Program

Regulation 5.10.3.3: Safe Use Zones For all play equipment that is thirty (30) inches or higher from the ground, including climbing equipment, slides, swings and other similar equipment, the licensee shall ensure that the surface under and around the equipment, including recommended use zones, is of approved resilient material that protects children if they fall. * Materials in the use zone shall consist of wood chips, pea stone, mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, safety-tested shredded or rubber like material or rubber mats designed for protective cushioning; * Materials used in the use zone shall follow the recommendations listed in the most recent publication of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook regarding critical depth of tested materials determined by the height of the highest climbing surface of the equipment; * Materials used in the use zone shall be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; * If the loose material such as sand, mulch, or shredded rubber is used in use zones, the licensee shall ensure that the material is raked regularly and replenished to maintain depth and resilience; and * If the resilient material in use zones freezes, staff shall ensure that children will not play on the equipment until the resilient material has thawed and is once again resilient.

“During the visit, the playground was covered with snow and the tempurature was approximately 10 degrees F. There was a rope climber and a piece of wooden equipment with a ramp which both would allow for children to reach a height of 30 inches or higher. Staff A confirmed that children have been allowed to play on all playground equipment, including equipment which allows children to reach a height of 30 inches or higher regardless of weather or frozen cushioning materials. Staff A stated that she was not aware of the requirement to restrict access to this equipment when the cushioing materials are frozen. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to restrict children's access to any equipment which allows them to reach a height of 30 inches or higher until such a time when the cushioing materials have thawed and are once again resilient and have been assessed to be a sufficient depth as outlined in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook. Develop a system which will prompt staff to routinely check, maintain and replace cushioning materials to ensure sufficient depth and resiliency and to restrict access to that equipment as required by this regualtion moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 31, 2022