How often should childcare playgrounds be inspected and maintained?
A childcare playground needs ongoing inspection and maintenance after installation.
There is no responsible universal answer such as “once a year is enough”. The appropriate inspection and maintenance regime depends on the equipment, surfacing, use, environment, manufacturer’s requirements and applicable standards.
Why are inspections necessary?
Outdoor environments change. Components wear. Surfacing moves or deteriorates. Vegetation grows. Weather affects materials. Heavy use can loosen or damage components.
Quality Area 3 requires premises, furniture and equipment to be safe, clean and well maintained.
Playground safety therefore continues after handover.
What do the playground standards say?
AS 4685.0:2017 provides Australian guidance covering the development, installation, inspection, maintenance and operation of playgrounds.
The appropriate inspection regime should be established for the particular playground and its circumstances rather than inferred from a generic internet checklist. Manufacturer requirements also need to be considered.
What should services be looking for?
Routine observation can identify obvious changes such as:
- damaged components
- loose items
- contamination
- damaged or displaced surfacing
- trip hazards
- deteriorating edges
- vegetation affecting use
- drainage problems
- excessive wear
More detailed technical inspections should be undertaken by appropriately competent people where required.
Keep records
A documented inspection and maintenance system makes it easier to identify recurring problems and demonstrate that issues have been addressed.
NSW Department of Education guidance for early childhood outdoor environments also recommends development of a Playground Safety Management System.
Design affects maintenance
Maintenance should be considered before the playground is built.
Accessible drainage, replaceable components, appropriate planting, sensible material choices and surfaces suited to their level of use can all make the completed environment easier to manage.
A playground should be designed not only to look good at handover, but to continue performing afterwards.
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About Urban Landscape Projects
Urban Landscape Projects designs and builds outdoor environments for schools and childcare centres across Greater Sydney. We have operated since 1990, with more than 35 years of experience, 1,100+ completed projects and 30+ industry awards. We work with schools and childcare operators from planning and design through to construction and handover.
Published by Urban Landscape ProjectsChildcare guidance, part of the ULP Knowledge Centre. Inspection regimes should be established for the particular playground with reference to the relevant standards and manufacturer requirements.