7.2.20-C19: Outdoor Safety

Outdoor program time is for children to learn about their outdoor environment, connect with nature, and learn about their own physical ability in a positive and creative manner. Educators plan experiences to promote children’s physical activity and motor development. Educators also provide settings that foster inquiry, create a sense of wonder, and stimulate all areas of development while ensuring a safe and healthy environment.

Staff are responsible for following the procedures outlined in this Outdoor Safety Policy 7.2.20-C19 during outdoor time:

Educator/Child Ratios

Educator/child ratios must be met at all times and proper supervision must be maintained at all times.

Amount of Outdoor Play Time

The outdoor program plan will ideally cover at least a two (2)-hour duration, weather permitting: one (1) hour in the morning and one (1) hour in the afternoon.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Educators are granted flexibility on the time requirements for outdoor play to mitigate challenges with accessing space and/or rotating children on playgrounds.

If the family group/cohort is unable to go outdoors, the Educator must record this in detail, outlining the reason(s) why, the temperature and the alternate activity provided in the Playground Log Book.

Physical Distancing While Outdoors

Each member of a Cohort must be separated by at least two (2) metres from any person who is not in the Cohort while outdoors.  Refer to Infection Prevention and Control (Sanitary Practices) 7.2.21-C19, Indoor Physical Distancing for suggestions.

Daily Outdoor Safety Procedures

Educators are responsible for:

  • Ensuring the play structures are only to be used by one Cohort at a time.
  • Bringing attendance records, emergency medications, emergency contact information and allergy lists to and from the playground. 
  • Completing an outdoor transition attendance during each outdoor time using Playground Outdoor Transition Procedure 7.2.20-1.
  • Referring to the daily inspection requirements set out below.

In case a child is injured, please refer to Accident Form 7.4.01, Playground Accident Form 7.2.20-2, Playground Injury Log Form 7.2.20-7, and LEF Accident Reporting Policy Confirmation 7.2.35.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Outdoor Play Structures, Toys and Materials

Play Structures and Toys

Educators are responsible for following the protocols laid out in Infection Prevention and Control (Sanitary Practices) 7.2.21-C19 when cleaning and disinfecting:

  • Toys used outdoors.
  • Play structures, play houses and structures, including high-touch surfaces before and after each use by each Cohort, and additionally as required (e.g., visibly dirty). 

Outdoor Material

In the event outdoor material is brought indoors, the following steps will be followed to minimize the risk of contamination:

  • Items will be picked from areas that are free of visible debris.
  • Children will practice hand hygiene after coming inside with outdoor material and after use of items from outside.
  • All Items brought in from outside will be sent home with children at the end of each day, or discarded.

Unable to Disinfect

Shared spaces and structures that cannot be cleaned and disinfected between Cohorts should not be used.

Gardening Safety

Gardening activities will be set up for children based on their individual interests and development.  When these activities are presented, Educators will follow these practices to avoid potential risks:

  • Raised garden beds and/or planters/pots will be used with commercially prepared soil and organic compost.
  • If/when seeds are planted, the soil will be covered with a mesh cover to ensure soil is protected from animals.
  • Once seeds have sprouted above soil level, the mesh will be removed.  Educators will check planters/plants and/or raised garden beds before children touch growing items.
  • Children and Educators will practice proper hand hygiene after gardening.
  • Any produce grown will be washed thoroughly and root vegetables peeled before they are eaten.

Sun Safety

Sunscreen

To ensure the children have appropriate sun protection, the following must be implemented:

  • Children must wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15, applied at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.
  • Sunscreen must be provided by the Primary Contact and Consent Form for Use of Sunscreen 7.4.26 must be signed annually by the Primary Contact to give permission for the Educators to reapply sunscreen.  The Primary Contact consent form is kept in the child’s file.
  • Children who are able to do so will reapply their own sunscreen.
  • Educators will exercise proper hand hygiene before applying the sunscreen, by following the Hand Hygiene Policy 7.2.56 and specifically:
    • Washing hands before and after each application
    • Wearing gloves
    • Wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment in accordance with Health and Safety, PPE Policy 7.2.30.

Other Sun Safety Practices

  • Educators will encourage children to:
    • Wear a hat at all times during outdoor play.
    • Drink water while outdoors.
    • Play in shaded areas and take frequent rests during gross motor activities.
  • Educators must ensure drinking water is available for children at all times when outdoors during the hot season.

Outdoor Water Play in the Hot Season

During periods of hot weather, LEF encourages the use of sprinklers, hoses and individual water play stations under the close supervision of adults at all times. 

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, LEF does NOT permit the use of group water play or sensory tables. Wading pools of standing water are NEVER permitted on the playground.

Heat Alert

When a heat alert has been issued by The City of Toronto, outdoor activities will only take place in the early morning.  

Safety from Cold and Windchill

To ensure the children have appropriate protection from the cold and windchill, the following must be implemented:

Winter Gear

Children and Educators should:

  • Wear warm, appropriate outdoor clothing – snowsuits or snow pants, a coat, hat, gloves or mittens, warm and waterproof boots, and neck warmer.
  • Dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer for the best protection.

Each Child Care Centre will endeavour to maintain a supply of spare winter gear for children or Educators who may need it.

Outdoor Winter Activities

  • Educators will plan and facilitate gross motor activities and physical activity to ensure children are moving and generating body heat.

Time to Be Spent Outdoors

During periods of colder temperatures, Supervisors will make informed decisions regarding time spent outdoors. These will be based on accurate windchill information from the Environment Canada website, site-specific conditions such as wind-sheltering trees or buildings, age and activity level of the children, and the physical conditions of the outdoor space.

Supervisors may shorten the period of time spent outdoors when exposure risk is a concern.  Indoor physical activity alternatives will be provided during periods of reduced outdoor time or when there is a high exposure risk.   

When there is a high exposure risk according to the chart below, children will not participate in outdoor activities. For more information, See Environment Canada Website for more details – http://www.ec.gc.ca.

Wind Chill

Exposure Risk

Health

Concerns

What to Do

0 to -9

Low Risk

Slight increase in discomfort
  • Dress warmly
  • Stay dry

-10 to -27

Moderate Risk

Uncomfortable

Risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outside for long periods without adequate protection.
  • Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind resistant.
  • Wear a hat, mittens or insulated gloves, a scarf and insulated, waterproof footwear.
  • Stay dry.
  • Keep active

-28 to -39

High Risk

Exposed skin can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes

High risk of frostnip or frostbite: Check face and extremities for numbness or whiteness.

High risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods without adequate clothing or shelter from wind and cold.
  • Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant
  • Cover exposed skin
  • Wear a hat, mittens or insulated gloves, a scarf, neck tube or face mask and insulated, waterproof footwear
  • Stay dry
  • Keep active

If the Cohort is unable to go outdoors, the Educator must record this in detail, outlining the reason(s) why, the temperature and the alternate activity provided in the Playground Log Book.

Safety During Certain Weather Conditions

Children will not participate in outdoor activities under the following weather conditions:

  • Smog: When the Ontario Ministry of the Environment issues a Smog Alert, a Smog Advisory is issued by The City of Toronto. This alert is issued when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches or exceeds 50. (Please see Parent Information Board for ongoing information regarding smog alert notifications).  

Please note children will still participate in outdoor activities during a Smog watch. This is where there is a 50 percent chance that a smog day is coming within the next three days.

  • Heavy Rain, Thunder or Lightening:  Children will not participate in outdoor activities during heavy rain or lightning or when the Ontario Ministry of Environment has issued severe thunderstorm watch or warning.

Outdoor Program Planning

Educators are responsible for:

  • Circulating around the play area to engage with children, support them in assessing risk, and ensure play experiences are positive. 
  • Engaging children in physical activity and be creative in ways of implementing outdoor programming for the children
  • Ensuring children spend as much time as possible in outdoor activities.

Providing, posting and implementing an outdoor program plan that provides activities to meet the gross motor needs of the children and which provides creative stimulation. 

  • Providing toys and equipment which are made of materials that can be cleaned and disinfected.

The Supervisor is responsible for:

  • Reviewing the outdoor program plan
  • Ensuring Educators plan outdoor activities for children while meeting physically distancing requirements.
  • Ensuring the outdoor program plan is retained for six months.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, outings, special events, etc. will happen only in very limited circumstances and with prior written approval of the Senior Director of Children and Families.

Inspections of Playgrounds

Playgrounds must be inspected:

    1. Daily,
    2. Monthly,
    3. Seasonally, and
    4. Annually.

Daily Inspection

A daily inspection must be completed as follows:

  • two (2) times per day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon prior to the use of the playground,
  • by a designated staff member (see Information Board for designated Educator’s name),
  • by using and completing the two Playground Checklists – Daily 7.2.20-4-C19 and 7.2.20-8, and
  • filed in the Playground Checklist Binder or Folder found in the Supervisor’s office.

Monthly Inspections

Monthly inspections must be completed as follows:

  • monthly,
  • by the designated Educator responsible for the daily inspection,
  • by using and completing the Playground Checklist – Monthly 7.2.20-5 and 7.2.20-8, and
  • filed in the Playground Checklist Binder or Folder found in the Supervisor’s office.

Seasonal Inspections

Seasonal inspections must be completed as follows:

  • by the designated Educator responsible for the daily inspection,
  • at the beginning of each season, four times per year (winter, spring, summer, fall),
  • by using and completing the Playground Checklist – Seasonal 7.2.20-6, and.
  • filed in the Playground Checklist Binder or Folder found in the Supervisor’s office.

Supervisor’s Responsibilities Related to Daily, Monthly and Seasonal Inspections

The Supervisor is responsible for:

  • Reviewing monthly inspection checklists at the end of each month.
  • Ensuring playground inspections are occurring at the specified times and dates.
  • Ensuring an action plan is developed to address playground safety issues, see Playground Action Plan 7.2.20-3. The action plan must be approved by the Ministry of Education prior to implementation.
  • Ensuring all daily, monthly and seasonal checklists are filed in the Playground Checklist Binder or file folder kept in the Supervisor’s office. 

Annual Inspections by Safety Inspector to CSA Standards

Annual playground inspections must be completed by a 3rd Party Certified Playground Safety Inspector.

The Supervisor must:

  • Ensure that the annual inspection checklists are kept in the Licensing Binder.
  • Ensuring the annual inspection checklist is posted on the Parent Information Board.

Equipment, Renovations, Repairs etc.

Record Keeping

The Supervisor will ensure that a record is kept of repairs, removals or installation of equipment, including dates and companies in the Playground Repair Log.

CSA Standards

Any new equipment or renovations, repairs or replacements must meet the most current CSA Standard.

In Case of Non-Compliance with CSA

For structures and surfacing that do not meet CSA standards: the Supervisor is responsible for:

  1. Completing a Playground Action Plan and submitting it to the Ministry’s Program Advisor for approval
  2. Making sure the area of concern is closed until repairs have been completed to CSA standards.
  3. Ensuring the area of concern is inspected and approved by a 3rd Party Certified Playground Inspector before use.

Review and Signature

Outdoor Safety Policy 7.2.20-C19 must be reviewed and signed at least annually by all C&F Employees.

7.2.20-C19: Outdoor Safety

Effective Date: July 2, 2020

Revised:            

Prepared and Approved by Executive Director