Playgrounds were often neglected in the past, as they were thought to be a waste of time and precious space. However, now it’s seen in a totally different light. It’s been proven to help kids with cooperation as well as communication skills. Interaction allows the children to gain confidence and bonding takes place as well, which is good for both the parents and the children.
Planning and installing the necessary equipment for a school playground is not a walk in the park. It requires certain things to be kept in mind before ordering the equipment. The two main processes are Planning and Installing, and we’ll look into those below.
Planning
The planning stage is important because this lays the first brick of the foundation. If you plan it right then hopefully it’s going to work out perfectly. Certain things are to be kept in mind before planning for a school playground. These include:
Vision
You must have the vision to see the end result of your planning. This is not an ordinary task, and it can’t be done every single day. Think the plan through and have the courage to envision it after it’s done to see what you’ve accomplished.
Planning with Parents
Involving parents in the task is a pretty good idea. Parents not only know what their child needs the most but this way, the parent-teacher relationship can also improve. They can also be called upon for their resource contribution and most of all the workload is shared amongst everyone.
Budget
Budget is by far the most important thing. The equipment and other tasks can only be determined by the amount of money you’re able to spend. After finalizing your budget, it is decided what type and quality of material can be ordered. The budget will dictate every decision. Whether the budget is obtained by fundraising or is given by the government, all these things need to be focused on.
Playground Site
The playground site is also an important factor. Would a new site be selected or an existing playground is being modified? The site needs to be perfect, so it is suitable for the students and for the teachers. The soil, security, and distance need to be checked and the area it encompasses. The team at https://www.moduplay.com.au/ advises that the terrain for a playground site needs to be examined beforehand to make sure it’s suitable for the playground equipment or not. This is crucial if you’re going to be able to strategically place all the equipment in the correct place.
Selecting Equipment
There are different types of equipment for a playground. You need to select them according to your needs. They include structural and freestanding equipment. Inclusive equipment and shade structures are also good choices.
- Structural equipment includes equipment like towers, ramps, and bridges
- Freestand equipment includes swings and roller slides etc.
- Inclusive equipment is very important because it helps children of all types and abilities. For example buddy rockers etc.
- Shade structures are good for summers and should be in every playground.
Installing
The installation process is mostly for the workers, so it’s not a big deal for the school faculty, but the main factors which include the planning phase are as below.
Site Preparation
Preparing the selected area for the installation of the new equipment is part of the site preparation. Other things include the removal of unnecessary objects or equipment from the site and the stabilizing of terrain for the successful installation of equipment.
Checking the Inventory
Having all the ingredients ready before starting to cook is important. Check to make sure you have everything you need and that you haven’t accidentally left anything important out.
Organized pattern
The installation of equipment should be carried out in an organized manner. You should know which type of equipment would be best placed in a certain location. This information can be gathered by looking at other playgrounds to check for their advantages and disadvantages.
Safe Environment
Once the playground is completed, make sure it has all the necessary safety precautions. No naked nail or left-out equipment that can harm the children must be left behind. All holes should be covered and a safe environment should be ensured for the students.
Playgrounds in schools are important. Children need to feel free after their classes. That small moment of relaxation and happiness is the only thing most of the students remember about preschool. Playgrounds are best planned by the faculty of the school cooperating with the parents in order to make sure the students or children have the best time there. A happy student is always a good student. Kids need to see school life is more than books and exams. Physical exercise is an important part of the Education system, and therefore playgrounds are essential.