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Supporting a child safe environment

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    Once you've chosen a location for your playgroup, you’ll need to consider potential risks and safety both indoors and outdoors.

    General facilities

    For general facilities consider if you have access to the following (or if you can create it):

    • baby changing facilities
    • toileting facilities
    • indoor areas with natural light, ventilation, heating and cooling
    • shaded outdoor areas
    • access to water for handwashing, cooking, cleaning up, water play or gardening
    • a kitchen area for basic cooking activities, playdough making and tea and coffee
    • rubbish disposal
    • a comfortable and private area where mothers can breastfeed (this may be a comfy couch in a reading corner).

    Remember to also consider how these things support a child safety.

    TIP: Think about the number of families who can attend your playgroup in the space you have available.

    Safety considerations for indoors and outdoors

    Playgroups may be offered in many different environments. Depending on your chosen location, consider the following questions:

    • Are the doors, fences and gates adequate?
    • Is there safe access to toilets and changing areas?
    • Are all power points fitted with safety covers?
    • Are all power and blind cords out of reach of children?
    • Are cords to urns and jugs out of reach?
    • Are all furniture, screens and similar items safe from toppling?
    • Are there choking hazards in the environment?
    • Are toys maintained for safety and hygiene?
    • Is the outdoor area regularly maintained (for example soft fall and outdoor equipment)?
    • Are poisonous substances such as detergents kept out of reach of children?
    • Are paints and toxic materials kept out of reach or in a locked cupboard when not in use?
    • Are there any other hazards that you need to consider?
    • Can children be easily supervised at all times?

    You should also consider:

    • having an up-to-date first aid kit available
    • displaying telephone access and emergency numbers
    • developing and displaying a fire evacuation plan
    • maintaining an accident and incident book
    • making sure you're aware of local child protection laws
    • mandatory reporting requirements and how to report child abuse

    You'll need to make sure that parents understand they're responsible for the safety of their children. You'll also need to make sure parents understand that children often need support to play safely with others and that they may need to intervene in play to keep all children safe.

    TIP: For a safe learning environment, we recommend you don’t have hot drinks around children. If you choose to have hot drinks, consider using travel mugs or cups with secure lids.

    Resources on child safety

    Find child safety resources and information sheets on Kidsafe SA, including:

    Raising Children Network‘s resources are aimed at parents, but you can use the safety advice for your playgroup. Find specific advice for the age groups you have:

    Water play safety

    When offering water play experiences, you’ll need to have safety measures in place.

    You must make sure:

    • children are supervised by their parent at all times when playing with water
    • all water containers are emptied when they aren't supervised.

    Resources on water play safety

    Choking risk and prevention

    When offering any play experiences you will need to consider the size of play materials and resources. Choking hazards for babies and young children include anything smaller than a 20-cent coin.

    For more information visit Choking prevention & hazards: children | Raising Children Network

    Sun safety and shade

    UV damage during childhood significantly increases the risk of skin cancer so it’s important to help children develop good sun protection habits from the start.

    Even when it's cool or overcast, the sun's UV can still be damaging.

    You should plan for hot weather conditions, for example by bringing outdoor activities indoors.

    Use and promote the 5 SunSmart steps whenever UV levels reach 3 or higher:

    • Slip on covering clothing.
    • Slop on SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen.
    • Slap on a wide brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears.
    • Seek shady spaces to play and learn.
    • Slide on sunglasses.

    Download the 5 SunSmart steps poster (PDF 370KB).

    TIP: Consider having sunscreen available for families to use at playgroup.

    Resources on sun safety

    Find supporting resources and information on Cancer Council SA – Resources for Early Childhood Centres.

    TIP: Make sun safety part of your routine and sing a song.

    Risk assessment and management

    Scan your environment and consider potential hazards both indoors and outdoors.

    You can use checklists to identify potential hazards to children and adults and conduct a risk assessment to minimise any potential risks.

    When assessing for risk, examples of things you’ll need to consider include:

    • the developmental needs and abilities of the range of children attending your playgroup
    • appropriate playing surfaces and soft fall areas around climbing equipment
    • checking for poisonous substances or plants in the outdoor area
    • checking the stability of indoor furniture and equipment
    • safe and secure storage of chemicals.

    Playgroup facilitators can also contact their local Playgroup association for more information and support in relation to assessing risk and providing child safe environments. In South Australia this is Playgroup SA or Playgroup Australia if you're outside South Australia

    Child protection risk

    You’ll also need to consider any potential child protection risks.

    Refer to the department's child protection policies and guidelines including the protective practices guidelines.

    Consider other policies or procedures, depending on the governing body for your playgroup.

    Toileting policies

    Establishing a policy and procedure around toileting is essential. If the toilets are located in an area with shared access to the public, community or school or preschool, then you need to develop appropriate guidelines for the safety of playgroup families attending, as well as others who may be sharing the facilities.

    This might include making sure a child is only toileted or changed by their parent or carer. A policy and procedure would also need to consider allocations of responsibility in those instances where a parent or carer has more than one child, and at least one child needs toileting.

    Conflict between families

    Other potential challenges could be conflict occurring between families. Think about how you can support families to resolve conflict. You could support this through strategies, policies or guidelines.

    Resources on risk management

    Department staff can refer to the following intranet resources:

    Learning Together Communities Team
    Email: Education.LearningTogetherCommunities@sa.gov.au