Can a school playground be built during term time?
Yes. School playground and outdoor works can be undertaken while a school is operating, provided the construction site and the school’s operations can be safely managed.
For many projects, limiting all construction to school holidays is neither necessary nor practical. Larger projects may take longer than a holiday period, while popular holiday construction windows can also restrict programming.
What needs to be considered?
The more useful question is:
Can this particular project be safely separated from normal school operations?
Construction within an operating school requires careful planning around:
- secure separation of the work area
- construction access
- deliveries and vehicle movements
- student and staff circulation
- noise and dust
- emergency access
- working hours
- site security
- communication with the school
- contractor access requirements
For NSW public schools, current Department requirements include contractor screening and site check-in procedures. From 1 September 2026, contractors entering NSW public school sites are required to hold a valid paid NSW Working with Children Check, subject to the Department’s stated arrangements for isolated construction sites.
Requirements can change, so public schools should confirm current project-specific requirements with their ASO.
Does the whole playground need to close?
Not necessarily. On suitable sites, construction can be staged so that one area is securely separated while other parts of the school remain operational.
This is highly site dependent. A large campus with independent construction access presents a very different situation from a constrained school where materials must travel through student areas. The construction methodology needs to respond to the actual school.
Can disruptive work be programmed outside school hours?
Yes. Where appropriate, particularly disruptive activities can be programmed for weekends, holidays or other periods when fewer people are on site.
This can allow the broader project to continue during term without requiring every activity to occur while students are present.
Why can term-time construction be beneficial?
It gives the project team a much larger delivery window. Rather than trying to compress an entire project into a two-week holiday period, the contractor can establish a proper construction program and coordinate the works around the school’s operations.
The priority remains the same:
keep the construction site secure, keep school operations safe and minimise unnecessary disruption.
ULP’s approach
ULP regularly works within education environments and plans site establishment, access, staging and construction methodology around the needs of the school.
If timing is important, involve the delivery team early so the construction strategy can be considered before the project program is locked in.
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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 ProjectsSchools guidance, part of the ULP Knowledge Centre. Contractor and site requirements change; NSW public schools should confirm current project-specific requirements with their ASO.