How to help your caregiver with this topic

• Dress your child for outdoor safety:



• Make sure no drawstrings, tabs or loops are exposed.


• Have layered clothing for the possibility of changing weather.


• At a minimum, supply a change of socks and pants for playground encounters with mud, snow or rain.




• Supply sunscreen, and written permission for its application. Ask that it be applied to your child before outdoor playtime on sunny days and before field trips.



Note: Children should wash hands when they come in from the playground so they don’t eat or rub eyes with sunscreen on their hands.


• Teach your child to share and take turns.



• Organize other parents in a playground work session on a regular basis (with the support and permission of the child care program’s director). This is a good way to get to know other families. Do a safety check and make repairs and upgrades, such as:




• Re-distribute surfacing material (pea gravel, etc.).


• Fill in holes.


• Look around for wasp and bee hives, or remove standing water that could breed mosquitoes.


• Check the fence and gate, fix hazards.


• Check all equipment for loose bolts, hinges, screws, etc.


• Sand and refinish any rough surfaces.


• Scrub outdoor toys and furniture.


• Build a shade gazebo for a hot slide.