Southwest Chinese Baptist Church (SWCBC)

Children Playground Rules

The basic concept of considering playground rules are:

• Is it safe for all people?
• Is it friendly to each other?
• Am I taking care of myself, others and the environment?

Playground injuries are the leading cause of injuries to children aged 5 - 14 in the school and church environment. It is estimated that more than 40 percent of playground injuries are related to inadequate supervision.

Adult presence is needed to watch for potential hazards, observe, intercede and facilitate play when necessary. Strings on clothing or ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment.

Equipment is primarily designed for the youngsters between 5 to 14. Generally, those in middle school and below are allowed use of the equipment. They have the right to enjoy the freedom to play. Likewise, adults have the right to enjoy the freedom to supervise and enforce the rules for ensuring a safe and orderly play environment.

One of our goals in establishing the playground is to teach children to behave in an appropriate manner and ultimately take responsibility for all their actions. Discipline is a responsibility that is shared between the home and church. Parents can be most helpful by being responsible for seeing that their children come to the playground and follow the rules.

In order to keep our playground safe and the equipment looking new and in good working order, several playground rules are applied to its use:

• Equipment is generally available during daylight hours and dry weather conditions only. No use of playground after sundown if adequate lighting not present.
• Proper footwear is required and no loose clothing especially with strings should be wore. Clothing is not to be tied on bars and/or used as support.
• Adult supervision is required for children under 12.
• Absolutely no kites flying because of the high-voltage power lines.
• Stay inside the playground area. The parking lot is off limits to all children.
• No climbing, jumping, playing on top of fences.
• Gravel is necessary for reducing fall impact and for good drainage. They are not to be picked up, thrown, or kicked for any reason.
• The following are not allowed around the playground equipment:
  • food, drinks or gum;
  • pets of any kind;
  • sticks, wooden or metal bats;
  • ropes;
  • roller skates, roller blades or skateboards;
  • hard balls such as baseballs, golf balls, etc.;
  • Frisbees;
  • games that involve any tackling, tagging, pushing, shoving, grabbing, pulling, knocking down, tripping, throwing, or, climbing or jumping on one another.
• Playground equipment is for all children. They should take turns and share the equipment.
• All children are expected to play cooperatively with other children.
• Use playground equipment for their proper purposes only.
• Follow directions of adults.
• No jumping off high from any climbing bar or platform.
• Slides:
  • climb the ladder and go down the slide one at a time;
  • go down in a sitting position, feet forward;
  • wait until the person before you finish the sliding first;
  • slide inside the tunnel slide, do not climb on top;
  • no clogging the tunnel slide;
  • no run or climb up the slides;
  • absolutely no fancy tricks.
• If anything wrong with the equipment or someone get hurt, notify any adult and/or get help.

ALL children will show respect and respond immediately to the playground supervisors. Children not following the above rules will:

• have time-out for FIRST offense, even if minor;
• be sent to the office for SECOND offense;
• lose privilege to use the equipment for THIRD offense.

Visit National Program for Playground Safety Web Site for more information about Playground Saftey.