Large Outdoor Equipment

It is well known that exercise is vital to aid the physical development of young children and to encourage them to continue a healthy lifestyle into their adult years.

As an Ofsted Registered Childminding setting we encourage the children in our care to join in all sorts of different physical activities, and provide a range of resources to make it fun and enjoyable.

In our garden we have a range of large outdoor equipment. Whilst this provides lots of opportunities for developing new physical skills and enjoyment it also brings danger. Children need to learn about danger and risk taking however in order to make our garden a safe environment, and to reduce the risk of possible accidents, we have put the following procedures in place:

• All minded children will be supervised by a registered childminder or an Ofsted approved childminding assistant at all times
• Children will be taught the dangers of the equipment in a way that is suitable for their age and stage of development and understanding
• Children will be encouraged to take turns and share equipment
• The equipment will be thoroughly checked and cleaned before use in line with our daily risk assessments
• The equipment will be checked for wear and tear/damage regularly and withdrawn from use if faulty
• Children will be encouraged to participate but will not be made to do any activity that they are uncomfortable with
• We have had child safety Astroturf™ installed to minimise the risk of accidents