29 Oct 2014

2014 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards
The 2014 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the provision of safe, creative playspaces across Australia. Fifty-six entries were received from all over the country and featured innovatiove use of space and resources in early childhood centres and schools, as well as expansive, well-resourced public playspaces.
All the entries showed a strong commitment to creating great places for children (and adults!) to play.
The winners were announced as part of National Kidsafe Day. A celebration was held at Livvi’s Place, Timbrell Park, Five Dock where Ms Megan Mitchell, National Children’s Commissioner, presented the NSW awards. Thanks to the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, Leycester Meares Bequest, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald (Nova Broadcaster), City of Canada Bay and The Wiggles for supporting National Kidsafe Day.
|
|
Congratulations to the WINNERS!
Education and Care Services
Winner: Casino West Little Jarjums Preschool, Casino NSW
Highly Commended: Aboriginal Children’s and Family’s Services, Whyalla, Ceduna and Christie’ Beach SA
Highly Commended: SDN Beranga Education and Care Centre, Rooty Hill NSW
Leycester Meares Bequest Award
Special Recognition Balgowlah North Public School, Kulkana Before and After School Care, North Balgowlah NSW
|
|
Schools
Winner: Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane QLD
Highly Commended: Auburn Public School Inclusive Sensory Garden, Auburn NSW
Innovative Design Elements
Winner: Bondi Public School, Bondi NSW
Highly Commended: Circa 1886 Grotto, Clyde North VIC
|
|
Public Playspaces Category A
Winner: Bendigo Botanic Gardens Heritage Playspace, Bendigo VIC
Highly Commended: Merri Park Playground, Northcoate VIC
Highly Commended: Yallingup Play Space, Yallingup WA
Public Playspaces Category B
Winner: Bollygum Adventure Playground, Kinglake VIC
Highly Commended: Buluk Park Playspace, Docklands VIC
Highly Commended: Plough and Harrow Play Area Renewal, Abbotsbury NSW
Public Playspaces Category C
Winner: Melbourne Zoo Growing Wild, Parkville VIC
Highly Commended: Port Adelaide Renewal Hart’s Mill Surrounds, Port Adelaide SA
Click here to view the winning entries.
|
|
Too Hot to Play? Protecting children from burns and scalds in the playground
In the Australian climate, playground equipment and surfacing can heat up rapidly and remain hot. This can cause serious burns and scalds to skin upon contact.
At surface temperatures greater than 50 degrees Celsius, tender young skin can be burned severely within seconds and may require surgery. Playground surfacing and equipment (including plastic parts) can exceed this temperature on dry, bright sunny days with temperatures in the high twenties.
The following recommendations aim to help prevent playground burns and scalds on hot, sunny days:
Test the surfaces: Metal slides, poles, guardrails, barriers and other playground equipment may pose burn/scald risks if the equipment is exposed to direct sunlight.
- Carefully place your hand on equipment surfaces to check if they are hot.
- Use caution, don't expose yourself to burns.
- Alternatively, use a thermometer to measure the temperature. If the surface temperature is 50°C or more children should not play in the playground.
- Keep re-checking temperatures as the day progresses. Parents, carers and educators need to assess the environment regularly to determine whether the playground is suitable for use.
Rubber and synthetic grass have been known to cause burns on the soles of children's feet on hot days, particularly dark coloured surfaces. On dry, bright sunny days, dark coloured surfaces can exceed 60ºC.
In addition:
- Children should wear shoes at all times, and
- Adequate clothing to prevent sunburn as well as any contact scalds from sitting or kneeling.
- Wetting the area with water may assist in cooling the surface temperature however this may only serve as a temporary solution.
- Be Sunsafe. Visit the Cancer Council website for information on sun protection for babies and children:
|
|
Shade for Play
Outdoor play is important for children of all ages. Playground providers need to include of shade when creating playgrounds, under the harsh Australian sun. Adequate shade in a playground limits the possibility of over-exposure to UV radiation and creates a comfortable environment for both children and adults.
A shade audit will assist in determining the sun patterns likely to occur in the playground and whether there is adequate shade. The audit can be used to ascertain the most suitable location for installing equipment to take advantage of the shade created.
Kidsafe NSW recommends the following:
- Conduct a shade audit—make sure your shade is really needed and is in the correct position.
- Consider whether trees or a built structure will give you the best result.
- Make sure the shade will fall where and when you need it by mapping the shadow projections of the proposed shade structure.
- Ensure that the shading material used offers the highest rated fabric possible.
- Think of ways to reduce indirect UV radiation—reducing reflectivity or increasing the shaded area are both good strategies.
- Consider how comfortable your area will be in the cooler months and whether you need to consider ‘warm’ shade.
Natural Shade
The use of natural shade can be one of the most effective and aesthetically appealing ways of providing shade. Vegetation offers seasonal variations in perfume, colour and sounds. Many species produce colourful flowers or have attractive foliage or bark. Some make good habitats for wildlife and many species can be used to screen for privacy or unwanted views, and provide wind protection. Trees provide the best shade quality, filtering sunlight and lowering summer temperature by an average of 8-10ºC.
Other materials cannot accomplish these things as well as vegetation can. The use of vegetation for shade also has a number of environmental benefits including:
- Less need to use non-renewable resources (used in many building materials)
- Energy saved in comparison with built shade systems, which often have high embodied energy. (This is the sum of all energy used to produce a material, product or structure including extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing, assembly and transportation)
- Fewer disposal problems as plants generally act as nutrients during decomposition
Environmental benefits can be gained by using indigenous (or local native) plants for natural shade. Their use is important for flora, habitat and genetic conservation. Local native plants are also suited to local conditions and therefore require less maintenance. If non-local or overseas plants are used then care must be taken to ensure they will not become environmental weeds.
For more information:
|
|
Playground Tour - 'Shade, Play and Planting - Techniques That Work'
Kidsafe NSW in partnership with Parks and Leisure Australia NSW/ACT and Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects invite you to attend our upcoming Playground Tour. Tuesday 11 November 2014 9.30am-1.30pm
Topics include:
- Effective shade
- Risk analysis tools
- Natural and man-made shade structures
- Seasonal factors
- Skin cancer research
- Burns prevention
Click here for details and to register.
Contact Kay Lockhart, Kidsafe NSW on 02 9845 0891 for information.
|
|
|