2.2.7 Supervision The quality of the supervision depends on the quality of the supervisor’s knowledge of safe play behavior. Playground designers should be aware of the type of supervision most likely for their given playground. Depending on the location and nature of the playground, the supervisors may be paid professionals (e.g., childcare, elementary school or park and recreation personnel), paid seasonal workers (e.g., college or high school students), volunteers (e.g., PTA members), or unpaid caregivers (e.g., parents) of the children playing in the playground. Parents and playground supervisors should be aware that not all playground equipment is appropriate for all children who may use the playground. Supervisors should look for posted signs indicating the appropriate age of the users and direct children to equipment appropriate for their age. Supervisors may also use the information in Table 1 to determine the suitability of the equipment for the children they are supervising. Toddlers and preschool-age children require more attentive supervision than older children; however, one should not rely on supervision alone to prevent injuries. Supervisors should understand the basics of playground safety such as: • Checking for broken equipment and making sure children don’t play on it. • Checking for and removing unsafe modifications, especially ropes tied to equipment, before letting children play. • Checking for properly maintained protective surfacing. • Making sure children are wearing foot wear. Handbook for Public Playground Safety Toddler — Ages 6-23 months • Climbing equipment under 32” high • Ramps • Single file step ladders • Slides* • Spiral slides less than 3 0° • Spring rockers • Stairways • Swings with full bucket seats * See §5.3. Preschool — Ages 2-5 years • Certain climbers** • Horizontal ladders less than or equal to 0” high for ages and 5 • Merry-go-rounds • Ramps • Rung ladders • Single file step ladders • Slides* • Spiral slides up to 3 0° • Spring rockers • Stairways • Swings – belt, full bucket seats (2- years) & rotating tire ** See §5.3.2 Grade School — Ages 5-12 years • Arch climbers • Chain or cable walks • Free standing climbing events with flexible parts • Fulcrum seesaws • Ladders – Horizontal, Rung, & Step • Overhead rings*** • Merry-go-rounds • Ramps • Ring treks • Slides* • Spiral slides more than one 3 0° turn • Stairways • Swings – belt & rotating tire • Track rides • Vertical sliding poles *** See §5.3.2.5 TABLE 1. EXAMPLES OF AGE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT
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