Playground Safety and Supervision Resources

Playground Supervision Training and Certification

A school’s best defense in court is a well-trained supervisor. Annual training for Playground Supervisors should occur in order to ensure student safety. Our Playground Supervisor Training and Certification is convenient and cost effective. We offer this course online. The Peaceful Playgrounds Online Playground Supervisor Training and Certification are designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, parents, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground.

Link to Training

10 Tips For Improving Playground Supervision

Some of the tips include: Adequate Supervision, Staff Training, Playground procedures for emergencies, and a way to communicate with office to name a few. More………. 10 Tips for Improving Playground Supervision Article – Download

What are the Components of a Quality Elementary School Playground

If you ask an elementary school principal, most will say that playgrounds should be safe, inclusive and engaging for all students. Read more………

Components of a Quality Elementary School Playground download

Playground Liability: Accident or Injury

Playground Liability: Accident or Injury Article

Seventy percent of all school injuries occur during recess or physical education. A review of injury data has revealed that the lack of proper supervision is considered a “contributing factor in playground injuries over 40% of the time”.

Playgrounds Can Be Safe

As the number of students grew, so did the injuries. In 1992, only 28 percent of the total 32 accidents resulted in visits to the doctor. By 1994, the total injuries had risen to 51, with 43 percent serious enough to warrant a doctor’s attention. This School Safety Update talks about what you can do. Read more………..

Playground Supervision Reduces Injuries

Generally speaking, lawsuits against an after-school program or providers arise from an accusation that playground supervision was deficient, and because of those deficiencies, a child was unnecessarily injured. The phrase lawyers use when talking about playground supervision is negligence because of a violation of the duty of care to keep children safe.

Download Playground Supervision Reduces Injuries Article

Playground Supervision Tip Sheet

1. Arrive on the playground prior to children arriving for recess. 2. Observe walkways to and from the playground and see that children walk so as to avoid accidental tripping or pushing. 3. Scan the playground prior to recess for hazards. 4. Report any broken or defective equipment to the school administrator in written form. 5. Block off an area that might present a safety problem for students. For example a missing or twisted swing, step missing from a slide etc. You may use cones or yellow warning tape as available.

Playground Supervision Tip Sheet

Playground Behavior Report

This behavior report is one of the most download resources from the Peaceful Playgrounds website. Use it for monitoring recess behaviors.

Playground Behavior Report

Hard Surfaces

Never put play structures or swings on hard surfacing. Read the CPSC advisory.

Hard Surfaces

Burn Safety Awareness Fact Sheet

It doesn’t have to be hot outside for a child to receive a burn. Watch for:

Uncoated metal equipment, or metal equipment where the heat‐reducing coating has rubbed off Slides, swings, or other equipment that a child may sit on Dark‐colored plastics and rubbers, especially the surfacing under and around the playground equipment Asphalt and concrete surfaces near playgrounds.

Burn Safety Awareness Fact Sheet

Public Playground Safety Handbook CPSC

By following the recommended guidelines in this handbook, you and your community can create a safer playground environment for all children and contribute to the reduction of playground-related deaths and injuries.

Public Playground Safety Handbook CPSC

Hot playgrounds. Tips for avoiding burns.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says young kids are especially at risk of 2nd and 3rd degree burns because they don’t react by pulling away from hot surfaces as quickly as older children.

Hot playgrounds. Tips for avoiding burns.