Children will increase in their motor skills, develop their vocabulary, improve their behaviour; they will learn how to wait for their turn on the swings, learn to share and develop multi skills as well as social skills.
- Is the equipment used as the manufacture intended?
Not all equipment is used as the manufactured intended. There was two people at once on the swings and also on the ropes children kept using it on the same time.
- What is the role of the adult when different age ranges if children age are playing in the playground? 1-2 years old 3-4years old 5-6 years old
For 1-3 years old, the adults have to stay with them through the whole time. As the child at this stage is not capable of moving around and using the swings without help. 3-4 years old are now more capable to move about however may need help to use some apparatus, so adults have to keep an eye on them. However when they grow to the age between 5-6 years of age, the adult still has a role on the child but now as much as before and can now sit and watch them or help when necessary.
P5
The playground I completed my survey on is located in Hyde park. The results I found from the survey stated that most people attend the park about 1 day a week and spend 30minutes to 1 hour. Most also agreed that the park is kept tidy, gave 7/10 for safe enviroment and 8/10 for equipment safety. From the activities available in the park, I believe that children will be able to develop on their gross motor skills. They will learn social skills from interactin with other children, learn to share toys and swings. Their vocabulary is increased as well. However there are some problems and potential risks I have identified as listed below.
Risk assessment
M2- Assess the risks associated with the use of the local environment for youself and the service users, and make recommendations for change to reduce the risks.
I have some suggestion that I believe will make this playgournd much safer and provide a better security. Consider Risk associated on me nd others
- Some apparutus are too high and this can cause risk of falling.
- Playing area gets very busy and crowded sometimes and children walk in front of other apparutus such as swings. Me, the chlild and the adult can get hit by this.
Provide with barriers to separate each apparatus. Create a more wider space. Build apparutus that don’t exceed the maximum height limits. Also make the floor from a surface that not hard. This will reduce the skin from getting hurt if any one falls.
- Some slides can cause cuts as they have protruding bolts and rough edges. So when the adult is helping the child or when the child is trying to hold the edge to keep safe they might hurt themselves. The child or the adult may get cuts and infections can easily be spread with this.
First aid box should be available and so as telephones and emergency numbers, in case, there is an accident. Shelter should be placed for metal slide, which can reach 180 degrees in hot areas and causing burn to children. Washing facilities and toilets should be available. Also placing hand sanitisers in eating areas and toilets will create a clean and safe environment.
- There is a high risk of falls when its raining. This is because the playgounrd gets really wet and children are always running. I also found that in the night theres poor lights in the park. This is not safe as children may get lost or kidnapped.
To make this better, the park should provide with better lights in the night and make a sequence of the lights from the entrance till the end. This will make people follow the light and make it safer for them. Therefore sufficient lighting should be placed around the play area.Also to avoid the playground from getting wet, the park should also provide with roofs for just the playground area.
- I noticed areas where the floor is uneven. This is dangerous as anyone can fall. Also misuse of equipements. For example two children on one swing. This is not suitable for the apparatus as each one has a maximum weight. There is a risk of the child or the adult falling off as it will not comfortable when they sit together on the same swing.
Place signs to show wrong ways of using apparutus, also providing with regular supervision. Warning signs should be placed around the area, identifying potential hazards and minimum ages, where appropriate. For example, parents may well be advised to choose suitable clothing and foodwear for their children in circumstance when the wooden and metal frames become slippery in wet weather.
- I believe this park is not really securied for children. This is beucase the door don’t close properly, gates are very low and there vandalism on chairs and walls. This will create risks of creating a dangerous environment; making other gangs come and will cause fights.
Again provide with regular supervision to find out who is creating these vandalism and also to remove it as soon as its found. Providing with higher gates and replacing the doors for better and stronger ones will make sure they close and will help keep the playground secure. Children will stay in the area and this will minimise the risks of children going missing and dogs coming in. Inspection of damaged equipment due to vandalism or discarded materials [eg.Used needles] should be carried out on regular basis.
