Once again Kidsafe (Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia) has found the most innovative best practice playspaces that inspire children and encourage them to join in healthy play. The Kidsafe 2012 National Playspace Design Awards, announced on National Kidsafe Day (23rd October), demonstrate what can be achieved in public places, schools and children’s services. The Awards recognise excellence and innovation in providing safe, creative playspaces for children across Australia and demonstrate wonderful achievements in playspace design in public places, school and children’s services.

Those wondering what makes an award winning playspace would appreciate the attention to detail combined with compliance to safety standards that still enable children to take a few risks and enjoy exciting challenges. The playspaces entered offered a wide range of play activities such as climbing, balancing and pretend play so that kids of all ages and abilities feel included and comfortable to stay for a while. Many included natural features like native plantings to attract local wildlife, or boulders and timber structures to climb. People may be surprised to find that children themselves often direct the design of their play spaces by being consulted at the planning stage and engaged in the design and construction process, leading to genuine child friendly spaces.

The entries were reviewed by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts from Kidsafe, children’s services, education, engineering, injury prevention, design and local government. The review panel were looking for quality, safety, fun factor and evidence that playspace providers had consulted with children. The review panel commented on the outstanding quality of this year’s entries and reported that the high standard of playspaces developed right around the nation were very impressive.

Kidsafe would like to thank all the members of the review panel who volunteered their time in this year’s awards program. Your efforts are much appreciated. Kidsafe also extends thanks to all the entrants who submitted very high quality entries. This year was tough for the review panel due to the excellence of design, resourcefulness and consultation with children that was evident in several of the projects.

To view the full list of results and images of award winning playgrounds, visit the website at kidsafensw.org.

NB: Dates are subject to change depending on venue availability

• Illawarra Region - Nowra Workshop 12th March 2013
• Illawarra Region - Inspection services 11th - 13th March 2013
• Central West Region - Bathurst Workshop 14th May 2013
• Central West Region - Inspection Services 13th - 15th May 2013
• Northern Region - Moree Workshop 18th June 2013
• Northern Region - Inspection services 17th - 19th June 2013
• North West Region - Nyngan Workshop 13th August 2013
• North West Region - Inspection services 12th - 14th August 2013
• Central Coast Region - Wyong Workshop 15th October 2013
• Central Coast Region - Inspection services 14th - 16th October 2013

For more information or to register for a workshop click here.

For more information regarding inspection services click here.

Contact the office on 02 9845 0893 if you would like to discuss a Kidsafe Playground Advisory Unit visit to your local region.

The Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit is available to review your plans prior to the forthcoming holidays.  Please call for a quote and once a signed service agreement is received we can proceed with your review of plan. Review of plans can be conducted up until the 19th of December 2012 for agreements received  prior to the 12th of December 2012.  Prices start at $350 and each quote is prepared on an individual basis. Submit your playground plans to the PAU for assessment against the Australian Standards for playgrounds.

Kidsafe NSW promotes the importance of children experiencing and learning about risk through safe, creative play.  The expert team at Kidsafe NSW provides a  Review of Plans service to assist designers and playground operators to create playgrounds that offer a balance between safety,    challenge, natural elements and sculpture.

Review of playground plans will provide organisations with a report and a checklist. The report itemises identified areas of potential non-compliance and provides practical design solutions.

The benefits:

• Independent review to the Australian standards relevant for playgrounds
• Written report and checklist

Click here for more information

Gardening is a valuable, educational experience for all children. Children can learn about the process of growing fruit, vegetables and herbs which can then be harvested and the fresh produce used in the kitchen. Children have the opportunity to be educated about the process of planting, weeding, watering and the lifecycles of plants and gardens.

When planning gardening activities with children, it is important to consider the following:

• The developmental stage and abilities of the children to comprehend and follow instructions;
• The children have the appropriate fine motor skills to confidently manipulate and use gardening tools; and
• Provision of guidance, opportunities to practice skills and active adult supervision when children are gardening.

Children learn by being actively involved and by watching adults demonstrate safe practices when gardening. Gardening is not only limited to the veggie patch, but may also include sensory gardens, bush tucker gardens and flowering gardens.

Outcome 2 of the National Framework for children services states children are connected with and contribute to their world. Gardening allows for education and care services to demonstrate their commitment to this outcome for children by implementing various activities for children in the garden.

What do I need to know about potting mix?

Potting mix is the easiest way to fill small growing spaces such as pots and small garden beds. Potting mix does present some risks as it may contain bacteria Legionella longbeachae. Potting mix is a safe product to use providing basic precautions are observed.

Kidsafe NSW recommends that you take suitable precautions when using potting mix such as:

• Purchase a product that complies with the Australian Standard (AS 3743);
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using the product;
• Wear a dust mask that fits over the nose and mouth;
• Dampen the mix with a light spray of water;
• Always wear gloves when handling potting mix;
• Provide children with adequate fitting gloves;
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after use; and
• Store the potting mix securely away from children.

For more information regarding gardening for children, visit the following links:

• Kidsafe NSW Playground Safety Fact Sheets
• Kidsafe NSW Playground News
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
• KidsGrow Program, Nursery and Garden Industry Australia
• NSW Early Childhood Environment Education Network (ECEEN)
• Vegie Guide, Gardening Australia

Spatial networks have been very popular in Australia for many years (even decades!). They inspire children to challenge themselves, negotiate their way through the ropes, climb to the highest point and offer important physical activity opportunities. Spatial networks are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and the large scale spatial networks appeal to older children and adolescents. In March 2012, Standards Australia published AS4685 Part 11 Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for spatial networks.

What is a spatial network?

A spatial network is comprised of a network of rope cables that create a web of 3 dimensional cells and geometrical shapes (see examples pictured). Spatial networks are distinct from planar nets that are simply a 2 dimensional ‘sheet of cargo net’ that may adjoin playground equipment. There are a wide variety of spatial networks available in different shapes and sizes. Most spatial networks range from 3 to 9 metres in height.

How is it that spatial networks can be so high?

The fall height of a spatial network is determined by identifying the highest point at which a direct fall to the playing surface could occur. When climbing a spatial network the climber engages all limbs to support the climb, and adopts a forward leaning position. In the case of a slip and fall, these factors make it probable that the climber will fall directly downward, rather than fall away from the equipment. The highest a direct fall to playing surface may be is 1.5m in Education and Care Services (children’s services) and 2.5m in public playspaces.

Spatial networks comprise of several mesh layers that overlap and no more than 1m vertically above each other. This network type is designed to capture falls occurring at any level of the spatial network. Therefore, a direct fall to playing surface from a 10m height is not possible and would be captured by the network.

What are the risks?

Although there has been few reported injuries associated with the use of spatial networks, the following are some of the risks and issues Kidsafe NSW has identified:

• Falls
• Entrapment
• Overcrowding
• Hard surfaces
• Maintenance
• Vandalism
• Misuse
• Age appropriateness

However, where the right product has been selected the benefits of a spatial network far outweigh the risks!

What are the items to inspect on a spatial network?

Inspection of a spatial network requires the inspector to assess the following features:

• Determine the highest direct fall to the ground (as discussed above);
• Correct fall zones and surfacing;
• Cables are in good condition;
• Potential finger entrapment hazards within connections;
• Ensure long vertical tunnels have not been created with the design of the network that allow direct falls of more than 1.5 / 2.5m;
• Potential bound and unbound head and neck entrapment hazards within the spaces created by the cables; and
• Correct dimensions of the cells within the networks.

How do I know the spatial network I am purchasing meets the AS?

AS 4685 Part 11 Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for spatial networks presents all the design requirements and specifications for spatial networks and is available for purchase from SAI Global.

However, it is strongly recommended that customers request certificates of compliance to AS4685 from the spatial network suppliers/manufacturers.

Undertake a risk assessment to assist you to make a decision as to which spatial network to purchase. The supplier of the item can provide you with information to inform your assessment such as compliance with Australian standards, installation, maintenance and age appropriateness.

Kidsafe NSW also recommends a post installation inspection by an independent inspector once the spatial network is installed.

Kidsafe NSW offers a comprehensive inspection service, which includes a completed checklist and full report. More information about this service is on our website at kidsafensw.org or contact the Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit on 02 9845 0893.