Is Your Child’s Daycare Center Following Playground Safety Guidelines?

Why Does Age-Appropriate Playground Equipment Matter?

Playground equipment is not one-size-fits-all. What’s safe and fun for a 5-year-old child on the playground is often considered too dangerous for a 2-year-old. That’s why minimum standards require playground equipment to be appropriate for the age group using it.

You might notice that your child’s daycare center has two different playgrounds, with one catering to little ones because age separation is also important when it comes to child safety. This physical barrier prevents toddlers from wandering into the “big kid” zone and getting hurt. For example, toddlers need lower climbing structures and slides with protective barriers. At the same time, older preschoolers may safely use taller slides, monkey bars, and more challenging play features like a rope ladder.

The materials and designs of the equipment on the daycare’s playground must also be considered. This includes smooth, rounded edges, nontoxic materials, and no small detachable parts that could be choking hazards. Watch this video to see which four types of toys should never be used on a daycare center’s playground because of the injuries they can cause.

In addition, playground equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent loose bolts, sharp edges, rust, or general wear and tear from making it unsafe.

What Are the Most Common Playground Injuries at Daycare Centers in Texas?

Little ones can be seriously hurt when daycare centers ignore the minimum standards to cut corners. Even minor injuries can be scary and traumatic for young children and devastating for parents who trusted the daycare center to keep their child safe.

Some of the most common playground-related daycare injuries that our daycare injury lawyers have helped families with include:

• Falls: Whether from swings, climbing equipment, or slides, falls are the top cause of playground injuries. These can result in bone fractures, brain injuries, and serious bruising. (In fact, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that falls from monkey bars and swings were the playground injuries most frequently resulting in traumatic brain injuries.) In incidents involving falls from a high structure, a child can even suffer a life-altering injury like paralysis.
• Cuts and scrapes: Sharp edges, rusted playground equipment, or exposed bolts can easily cut a child’s skin or sever little fingers. In addition to the playground equipment, fencing around the playground should also be inspected and maintained for any broken metal pieces that could cause deep lacerations.
• Broken bones: The wrong playground surfacing, the material used to cover the ground under equipment, can turn a routine fall into a serious injury like a broken arm or leg. Texas requires shock-absorbing materials like mulch or rubber under play equipment, but not all daycare centers comply with this standard.
• Heatstroke: When children are not closely supervised on playgrounds, and caregivers do not conduct the required face-to-name checks when returning to the classroom, little ones can be left outside in extreme temperatures for prolonged amounts of time. In the brutal Texas summers, some children can suffer heatstroke.

Read more about common playground injuries at daycare centers in this article.

What Should You Do If Your Child Is Injured on the Playground at a Daycare Center?

 First, immediately seek medical attention for your child at a nearby emergency room or pediatrician’s office. Then, feel free to contact our experienced and compassionate daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm for a free case evaluation. Call us at 214-699-4409 or send an email to [email protected]. We will listen and help you determine the best path forward for your child and family.

If your child is injured on the playground at a daycare center and you are not ready to speak with our team, download our free 5-step guide that will walk you through exactly what to do after a daycare injury.