Summer Safe Play Rules And Explaining It So They Understand

[Sunshine44]

"Why can't they climb UP the slide?"
Umm...BECAUSE they could very easily get kicked in the face by kids who are sliding the CORRECT way... hahaha

Have had this happen, actually, when I first started...I was CONSTANTLY taking kids off the slide. I now have no slide.

Not sure if you were quoting my post , I wasn't really asking why. I was being sarcastic. If you weren't quoting my post...sorry!

[gkids09]

Not sure if you were quoting my post , I wasn't really asking why. I was being sarcastic. If you weren't quoting my post...sorry!

No, I was quoting what PARENTS were asking the OP and the obvious answer (which I know everyone SHOULD already know!! )

I actually didn't even realize your post had the same question. ha! Sorry..

[nannyde]

This is taken from an old Elementary School PDF ....but it comes in handy. It is the best I have found as an example so far. This will be a long post.

RULES FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

Horizontal Ladder/Monkey Bars
a. Students take turns swinging underneath in one
direction. Students may not go on top of the
bars or sit on top of the bars.
b. If there is more than one child crossing on bars,
a line must be formed.
c. No pulling or pushing on the legs, arms, etc. of
any child on the bars.

Obstacle Course
The obstacle course is made
up of 6 events (hurdles,
climbing wall, chin up bars,
balance beam, horizontal
ladder and running track). It
is designed for up to two
students at a time to compete against each other
or to use solo.
a. No more than two students should be on an
event at a time
b. Students must go in the same direction on the
course
c. There should be no contact between students
on the course.
d. No sitting on top of the horizontal bars,
climbing wall or chin up bars.

Chin-Up Bars
a. Both hands must stay on bars at all times.
b. No shaking the poles.
c. No pulling or pushing on legs, arms, etc. of
students on bars.
d. No more than 2 people on a bar at a time.
e. Students waiting should count to 60 slowly to
gain access to bar.
f. No use of the bars will be allowed if there is
water underneath them.
g. No sitting or crawling on the top of the bars.
h. No swinging from side to side or bumping into
others on the bars.

Sand Area
a. Sand must not be thrown at any time.
b. Respect others’ sand creations, and do not
destroy them.
c. Sand must be kept inside the sand
area.
d. Walk. Don’t run, in the sand area.

HANDBALL AREA PLAYGROUND RULES

Ball Wall / Handball
a. No closed courts or games.
b. First person on the court calls the game and
rules.
c. No hitting/throwing ball over the wall.
d. If there is a problem with any part of the game,
a vote is taken to decide the ruling.
e. Ball must be hit/thrown within the court.
Anyone hitting/throwing the ball outside court
lines is out.
e. Game Rules which cause confrontations among
players and disrupt the recreational aspect of
the game are NOT allowed. These include:
Cross Country or Outside Courts -
throwing the ball from outside the designated
court lines.
Peggies or Pink Elephants - hitting people
close to the wall with the ball
Champions - when everyone in line is allowed
to go in the court.

BIG TOY AREA

Big Toy
a. No chase, tag or running is
permitted in the Big Toy
Area.
b. Students should not throw
sand or wood chips
c. Students should slide DOWN the slide. No one
should go up the slide.
d. No pushing or shoving is permitted
e. Students cannot block or hold up students from
using the equipment or sliding down poles or
the slide.

Rock Wall
a. No jumping off of the wall.
b. No pushing or kicking
c. Students should not sit on top of the rock wall

Twirling Bars
If there is a line of children waiting, the first person
in line may count to 10 twirls for the person
twirling. After 10 twirls, the next person may take
a turn.
a. Death Drops is not allowed.
b. Standing on the bar or “no-hands” is not
permitted.

Slide
a. One person can go down the
slide at a time.
b. Slide down, sitting, with feet in
front.
c. Climbing up the slide is not
allowed.
d. Do not block or prevent others
from sliding down the slide.

Swings
When there are children waiting, they
must stand in front of the person on the swing and
far enough away to avoid being kicked by the
swinger. The first person in
the line counts to 30 (one
count per swing) for the
person swinging. After 30
counts, the person swinging
must get off and it will be the
next student’s turn.
a. Must swing in the same direction.
b. No jumping out of swing.
c. One person on a swing at a time.
d. No going from side to side or twisting in a
swing.
e. No pushing someone in the swing
f. No holding hands while swinging.
g. Grabbing feet, etc. is forbidden.
h. No climbing on poles of swings or standing
between swingers.

BLACKTOP AREAS AND COURT GAMES

Basketball
Basketball is a game between two teams. Each
team has a basket. The object is to get the
basketball into the basket. Doing so earns the team
2 points each time The ball can only be moved by
the player dribbling (bouncing the ball) as they
move or by passing (tossing the ball ) to another
player. Players cannot make contact by hitting,
pushing or intentionally bumping into other players.
a. Basketball can be either a full court game or a
half court game depending upon how many
people want to play and how many courts are
available.
b. No pushing, intentional bumping, or
rough play is permitted.
c. Any fouls or disputed play should
be resolved by a jump ball or vote
of players.
d. Only a basketball will be used for
the game of basketball.

Four Corners
Four corners is played on a four square court. Four
players start on each far corner with a fifth player in
the center junction of the four squares. The object
is for the outside corners players to move from one
corner to another by exchanging with another
corner player. If the Center player gets to the
outside corner before an outside player does, the
outside player is out and the center player takes
that corner. A new player comes in to be the new
center player.
a. “Slidies” and “killies” are not permitted.
b. Disputed plays are to be voted on by all players
in the court and in the line.
c. Any time two players end up at the same
corner, the player who was originally at that
corner remains and the other player is out.

Four Square
Four square is a court game played with
a rubber ball. Each of the four squares
are labeled A, B, C or D. Square A starts
the game by bouncing the ball in their
own court and then bouncing it into one
of the other courts. The player in the other court
must then bounce the ball into another player’s
square. If the ball bounces outside the square or
back into the player’s own square, that player is
out. When a player is out, they go to the end of
the line and the first person in the line moves into
the D square.
a. This game must be played with a rubber ball.
b. Disputed plays are to be voted on by all players
in the court and in the line.
d. No “cherry bombs” or “inside corners” is
permitted.

Jump Rope
a. Long jump ropes are to be used with groups of
3 or more. Short jump ropes
are for individual use.
b. Jump ropes should never be
tied or twisted around any
part of a student’s body.
c. No “hot peppers” unless the
jumper requests it.

Nationball / Dodgeball
Nationball and dodgeball are very similar games that
involve one team inside the court area and the
other team outside the court. The outside team
has one rubber ball (dodgeball) or two rubber balls
(nationball). The object is for the outside team to
throw the ball at the players inside the court. If a
player inside the court is hit by the ball they are out
and go to the “out” line at the far end of the court.
If a player inside the court catches the ball without
dropping it, then the first person in the “out” line
can enter back into the game.
a. Only a rubber ball can be used in this game.
b. No “head hunting” (throwing at a person’s
head) or “knock outs” (throwing at a person’s
feet to knock them out from under them) is
permitted.
c. No closed games unless a Playground
Supervisor determines the game is too
crowded.

Tether Ball
a. No swinging, sitting, riding, or hanging on rope
or ball
b. No throwing rope; must hit ball
c. No kicking ball with foot
d. No wrapping rope at the top of
the pole so it can’t be hit.
e. No closed games
f. All students standing in line to
play must stay out of the playing circle.

FIELD AREA RULES
The field areas are primarily used for games and
activities that involve kicking or throwing a ball or
running. Unsafe activities such as tackling, body
slamming, dog piling, slide tackles, or sweeps are
not permitted anywhere on the field areas.
Tag and chase are not permitted because they
often end up in pushing, tripping, tackling or
fighting. These are behaviors that hurt or injure
others. Therefore, tag and chase are not allowed on
the playground.

Flag Football
Only one game of football is permitted. Football is
only permitted at lunch time and only flag football.
There are two teams with each member of each
team wearing a different colored set of flags. Once
the football has been hiked, the team can run or
pass the ball. If the person with
the ball has their flags pulled or
the ball hits the ground the play is
stopped. The object is to move
the ball into the goal end for your
own team.
a. No closed games
b. All players must wear flags
c. Only a school football can be used.
d. The game must stay within the football area
and cannot “wander” around the field.
e. No tackling, tripping, dog piling or other unsafe
contact will be permitted..
f. All flags and the football must be returned to
the Field Ball Cart at the end of the lunch
period.

Kick Ball
a. No closed games
b. All players on the team that is up must line up
in their kicking order behind the home plate.
c. Only one kicker at a time.
d. The ball must be rolled to the kicker, not bounced.
e. The runner is out if tagged by the ball or if the
ball is thrown to the base to which the runner is
headed before the runner is there.
f. The ball cannot be thrown at the
runner.
g. The runner cannot leave the base
(take lead offs) until the ball is
pitched.
h. No sliding into the bases.
Soccer
a. No closed games
b. No tackling or slide tackling is
allowed.
d. No body slams or pushing is allowed.
e. Touching the ball with the hands or forearm
(except by the goalie) results in the other team
taking the ball out to the sideline

Gosh Cat... I'm seeing FORTY "no's" here.

You mean when they go to the public school somebody tells them NO? How's that gonna work?



I thought you guys weren't allowed to do that in your State? How can the public school get by with having that in their policies? :confused:

[Crystal]

I get what your point is about safety, but I am in disagreement here. I do let the kids go UP the slide, I let them run on cement and I let them stand up on the teeter totter and balance it like a scale. I allow them to take risks. I take the risk of someone getting hurt. BUT, I or another adult spots them on the equipment when they do these things, we direct the flow of traffic on the slide, and we provide safe equipment with LOTS of cushioning and a good sized fall zone underneath it. As far as running on the cement, well, I cannot prevent them from falling, but in 14 years I have never had a child with more than a skinned knee.

I think there are far too many rules in daycare, and I think by trying to enforce all of those rules, providers burn themselves out and make their job much more stressful than it needs to be.

I also think kids NEED to try these things out....they are learning to climb UP, to balance, to "get back up and try it again" instead of giving up on everything.

I know most will really disagree with me, and I respect that everyone does it their own way. I just do it differently.

[MommyMuffin]

I get what your point is about safety, but I am in disagreement here. I do let the kids go UP the slide, I let them run on cement and I let them stand up on the teeter totter and balance it like a scale. I allow them to take risks. I take the risk of someone getting hurt. BUT, I or another adult spots them on the equipment when they do these things, we direct the flow of traffic on the slide, and we provide safe equipment with LOTS of cushioning and a good sized fall zone underneath it. As far as running on the cement, well, I cannot prevent them from falling, but in 14 years I have never had a child with more than a skinned knee.

I think there are far too many rules in daycare, and I think by trying to enforce all of those rules, providers burn themselves out and make their job much more stressful than it needs to be.

I also think kids NEED to try these things out....they are learning to climb UP, to balance, to "get back up and try it again" instead of giving up on everything.

I know most will really disagree with me, and I respect that everyone does it their own way. I just do it differently.

Although I dont allow them to climb up the slides, I completely agree about too many rules and burn out.

I found myself saying no all the time and getting really stressed out about it. (Burn out!)
Everytime I am about to say no, I ask myself "why?" and then if it is just not that big of an issue I let it go. It is hard for a control freak like me but it has helped a lot and the kids have more fun too.

[daycare]

What are the ages of your kids?
I am also the only one here so I can't assist Johnny on Susie in standing on a teeter totter.
I wish I didn't have to be this way, but just as nannyde said they can hurt with parents they can't get hurt when they are with me.

I've only had that one small accident and it cost me over $3000.00
Then I was not so strict about the outdoor rules. After getting taken to court and having to go through all if that, never again.

I teach the kids how to balance on things, but I don't allow them to play with toys or the equipment the wrong way. It's to be used the way it is intended.
When it's not DC I allow my kids to play at free will.

[Blackcat31]

I get what your point is about safety, but I am in disagreement here. I do let the kids go UP the slide, I let them run on cement and I let them stand up on the teeter totter and balance it like a scale. I allow them to take risks. I take the risk of someone getting hurt. BUT, I or another adult spots them on the equipment when they do these things, we direct the flow of traffic on the slide, and we provide safe equipment with LOTS of cushioning and a good sized fall zone underneath it. As far as running on the cement, well, I cannot prevent them from falling, but in 14 years I have never had a child with more than a skinned knee.

I think there are far too many rules in daycare, and I think by trying to enforce all of those rules, providers burn themselves out and make their job much more stressful than it needs to be.

I also think kids NEED to try these things out....they are learning to climb UP, to balance, to "get back up and try it again" instead of giving up on everything.

I know most will really disagree with me, and I respect that everyone does it their own way. I just do it differently.

I am with Crystal on this one too. I used to have "playground rules" and found that playing outside was more work than it was worth...now we have "safety rules" like no throwing sand at someone, no hitting them with the bats, no pushing, no shoving etc....

I let them run on the concrete and blacktop. When they fall or get a skinned knee....they learn to not run so fast next time
I let them walk in front of someone swinging. When they get bowled over...they learn to pay attention to where they are walking.
I let them climb up the slide. When they get kicked...they learn to not climb up or at least pay attention when they do.
I let them stand on my teeter totter too. When thye fall off...they learn it is more fun to sit on it and use it right.

NATURAL CONSEQUENCES. Best techer in the whole big wide dangerous world! FTR: This is in regards to my kids big enough to understand cause/effect and natural consequences. My littles have different play equipment that teaches them the same things on a smaller scale. We also have a safe fall zone and developmentally appropriate toys for all ages.

I grew up running on concrete, playing dodgeball, picking teams, actually winning AND losing at games, and playing teetherball....those are the things I learned the most from as a kid. By participating in those things and experiencing natural consequences, I also learned what I was made of.

Which is the one thing kids now days, IMHO are lacking.

Crystal is right about everyone doing their own thing and doing things as they see fit. There is no right or wrong. Just wanted to say she wasn't alone.

[Crystal]

What are the ages of your kids?
I am also the only one here so I can't assist Johnny on Susie in standing on a teeter totter.
I wish I didn't have to be this way, but just as nannyde said they can hurt with parents they can't get hurt when they are with me.

I've only had that one small accident and it cost me over $3000.00
Then I was not so strict about the outdoor rules. After getting taken to court and having to go through all if that, never again.

I teach the kids how to balance on things, but I don't allow them to play with toys or the equipment the wrong way. It's to be used the way it is intended.
When it's not DC I allow my kids to play at free will.

My kids, right now, range in age from 2-7. I care for children from birth - school age, but my babies have all gotten older and won't leave for awhile.

I get what you are saying, I don't think you are "wrong" for having the rules that you do, I just wanted to share the way I do things.

[daycare]

My kids, right now, range in age from 2-7. I care for children from birth - school age, but my babies have all gotten older and won't leave for awhile.

I get what you are saying, I don't think you are "wrong" for having the rules that you do, I just wanted to share the way I do things.

Trust me I would rather my kid go to your DC than mine based off the outdoor rules. Lol. I hate it. Lol. But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to keep everyone safe and all the parents happy!
I hate rules

[SandeeAR]

I grew up running on concrete, playing dodgeball, picking teams, actually winning AND losing at games, and playing teetherball....those are the things I learned the most from as a kid. By participating in those things and experiencing natural consequences, I also learned what I was made of.

Which is the one thing kids now days, IMHO are lacking.

Crystal is right about everyone doing their own thing and doing things as they see fit. There is no right or wrong. Just wanted to say she wasn't alone.

This is exactly what I was thinking!

[daycare]

This is exactly what I was thinking!

I grew up that same way too
My daughter when she was 6 was suspended for doing cartwheels.
Yes really! They said she could kick someone in the face and it was not safe.
I live in sue happy CA

[nannyde]

I've only had that one small accident and it cost me over $3000.00

Then I was not so strict about the outdoor rules. After getting taken to court and having to go through all if that, never again.

It's all good until it happens ONE time. That's all it takes.

[Crystal]

It's all good until it happens ONE time. That's all it takes.

For me, ONE time and it would STILL be all good. Unless I was shut down for it, I'd continue to allow the children to play and be kids. It's a risk I take. The kids will have to comply with enough rules when they go to school, I choose to allow them to be children here. I am cautious when allowing them to play these ways, and am never neglectful of supervising, so for me I'll take the chance at someone trying to prove me neglectful if a child gets hurt.

I totally understand others choosing to enforce strict playground rules, but I'll keep taking my chances.

[daycare]

It's all good until it happens ONE time. That's all it takes.

Lol I hated that saying growing up:

It only takes one person to ruin it for everyone else!

And now I am the one saying it

[Blackcat31]

It's all good until it happens ONE time. That's all it takes.

You are right but, I think this is where the sifting out the "right" families for your program comes in. I discuss this stuff with my dcp's during the interview. We are careful to make sure we are all on the same page. I had a dcb (5 yr) fall out of a climbing toy the day before kindergarten and break his wrist. I wasn't sued nor expected to pay for the medical bill (although my insurance would have covered it). The child's family had medical coverage.

We also have a close enough relationship that she is honest about what is normal for her child and what is expected out of me. I honestly cannot deal with people who's first instinct is to sue over something that happens in the natural course of life. This would have been a completely different story had I not been supervising or was allowing him to play on a toy that wasn't meant for his age. He was on a Little Tikes climber.

I get that it only takes once, but in all my years of doing child care I have had more than one accident and never had a parent want to sue me or viewed it as anything but what can happen in a normal child's day of playing. My own child had one of the most horrific accidents I have ever seen when he was 6 and another daycare child did it to him. I did not expect the parent to pay for my child's accident. The difference was the intent, IMHO. The boy didn't set out to injure my child. They were/are friends.

I also never intended the dcb I had to get hurt either. I was doing everything I could to make sure his play environment was safe. Aside from having him sit in one spot and not move, there wasn't anything I could have done to prevent his injury. The parents trust me in that regard.