Westford School Pre-Kindergarten

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.

“The large climbing structure on the playground, which had 3 inches of mulch, did not have the required amount of protective ground covering. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, children must not have access to the climbing structure until the required amount of protective ground covering is installed. By 6/10/21, send a statement to the licensor verifying children do not have access to the climbing structure and identify the plan for use of the structure.”

Correction date in the state record: May 27, 2021

Regulation 3.7.2.1: The licensee shall have a written evacuation diagram with evacuation routes posted in each classroom that is used by the children.

“There was no written evacuation diagram posted in the classroom. Corrective Action: Immediately post a written evacuation diagram. Email confirmation by 1/20/2020 that the diagram has been posted.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 20, 2020

Regulation 3.7.2.2: The licensee shall ensure that evacuation drills are conducted at least once a month, and children and staff are evacuated in under three (3) minutes.

“The last fire drill documented was 1/30/2018. The list of emergency drills reflects the program did not have fire drills every month. Corrective Action: It is required to have 2 fire drills in the month of April and 2 drills in May and monthly thereafter to come into compliance. Submit a confirmation of understanding to this Licensor by 4/16/2018.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 13, 2018