17 Jan 2018
Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit
2018 is an exciting year! The Playground Advisory Unit (PAU) team are busy developing new and exciting workshops, presentations and resources to assist anyone involved in the design, development, construction, supply, maintenance and/or operation of a playground. The PAU is a valuable source for information and resources.
Start preparing your entry for the 2018 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards! Entries open in April and can be submitted by service providers, design professionals, students, landscape contractors and playground providers/owners across Australia. Award details will be announced shortly.
Full descriptions of our services, resources and suite of information sheets are available on the Kidsafe NSW website.
Contact the PAU to introduce yourself, reconnect, discuss services, opportunities, let us know ‘what’s new,’ ask questions or just to say hello. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
The Team
Manager - Kay Lockhart. Kay’s primary focus is in play, risk benefit play and natural elements in playspaces. She is committed to the safety of children, and passionate about promoting safe play environments and providing up to date information to the community and industry. Kay continues to develop the unit, strengthen and create partnerships and build upon the service component.
Project Officer – Kim Cooke. Kim has a specific interest in creating opportunities for mindful play, through exploration of natural play spaces. She is enthusiastic about providing exciting, safe and challenging environments for children and young people.
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| Manager - Kay Lockhart |
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| Project Officer - Kim Cooke |
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Position Vacant
Kidsafe NSW is seeking an experienced project officer to be part of a small multi-disciplinary team that provides playground inspection services, design advice, training, and safe play information. The successful applicant will work with a range of service providers including education and care services, schools, local government, manufacturers and designers. Some regional travel will be required.
Relevant qualifications and experience, with particular reference to children’s playgrounds, is required in one or more of the following areas: playground design and construction; playground inspection; landscape design; landscape architecture; early childhood education and/or work health and safety.
Click here for a copy of the position description and key selection criteria.
Closing date: Wednesday 21st February 2018
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Accredited Playground Inspection Courses
Kidsafe NSW is approved to conduct the following nationally recognised courses:
Visual Playground Inspection Course - AHCPGD206 Conduct visual inspection of park facilities. This one day course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct routine inspection to identify visual hazards in parks, recreational facilities and playgrounds.
Operational Playground Inspection Course - AHCPGD305 Conduct operational inspection of park facilities. This 2 day course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct operational inspection of parks, recreational facilities and playgrounds to identify hazards, existing and potential risks, non-compliance with Australian Standards, and workplace health and safety requirements.
Click here for more information, training dates and registration details.
Contact Kidsafe NSW for in house training for your organisation.
P: 02 9845 0890 or E: a%C1%B5%8B%B0%84%D3%D4%BE%BB%A2%CE%D4%A1%BC%9D%95%DD%DC%B8o%9F%A3%E0o%C8%DA%E0%87%CA%C0l
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Regional Visits
The Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit (PAU) schedules visits to regional NSW throughout the year. The visit may include accredited training or workshops, and the opportunity for playground owners to engage the PAU for a Comprehensive Playground Inspection.
Inspection services for Sydney Metropolitan available at all times.
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Digging Patches
Digging (or mud) patches give children another medium to explore, encouraging imaginative and constructive, physical play. Mud play is not only fun, it has as much potential for learning as sand play and water play. These ‘patches’ can be constructed in a corner and integrated with plants and/or vegetable patches. It is recommended that digging patches are located away from the sandpit.
If there isn’t room for a digging patch in your playground, mud in a large tub, clam shell or trough can be used and of course this can be used outside or in!
Hygiene
Depending on the source of the mud, children may need to use gloves and avoid placing hands in their mouth or near their eyes and ears. Ensure fertilisers or chemicals have not been added to the soil (the use of potting mix is not recommended as the ingredients and moistness of potting mix make it the ideal breeding ground for potentially harmful bacteria). When finished playing, supervised hand washing must occur.
Size
If there is room and resources, a permanent digging patch can really add value to the playspace. Twelve square metres is a good size.
Construction
Digging patches can be constructed from a variety of materials. Borders can be defined with shrubs, boulders, logs, planks or bricks. For example, refer to sandpit construction in the Kidsafe NSW information sheet titled Sandpits. Soil can be sourced from the local nursery, local council or a building supplier.
Mix in approximately 1/3 sand to 2/3 soil to provide a more friable and digable mix.
Digging Patch Maintenance
It is recommends that the digging patch is inspected daily and regularly maintained:
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Rake the patch over daily to remove debris (sun and fresh air are good disinfectants);
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Turn over monthly to aerate and reduce the soil compacting and replenished when the soil level drops;
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Cover the digging patch when not in use. Mesh covers will allow rain to wash the soil, helping to keep it clean so long as the water can drain away;
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Remove any dirt and rubbish that may have accumulated; and
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Remove contaminated soil eg. if the soil has become contaminated with animal faeces.
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