Preschool children need closer supervision than older children, according to Public Playground Safety Handbook. Its guidance suggests that supervisors ensure that children are wearing footwear and that they stop unsafe behavior such as jumping from heights. The handbook also advises supervisors to direct children to the equipment most appropriate for their age.
According to the Public Playground Safety Handbook, preschool children differ from older children in physical ability along with intellectual and social skills. For those reasons playground design and the type, scale and layout of the equipment should reflect these differences. America's Playground Safety Report Card suggests having separate areas for preschoolers and older children. Equipment suitable for preschoolers includes: ladders of 60 inches or less; single-file stepladders; rung ladders; slides; swings (belt, full-bucket seats and rotating tires) and merry-go-rounds.
Many of the injuries that children sustain in playgrounds are a result of falls, so the type of ground surface used is critical. The best types of surface in this kind of environment are shock-absorbing materials including wood fiber, sand, pea gravel or shredded rubber. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission also advises the use of wood chips, mulch, and safety-tested rubber mats. The surfacing should extend at least six feet in every direction from the playground equipment.
All playground equipment and surfacing should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis by qualified staff. Daily, monthly and annual maintenance is recommended. Playground supervisors should report any broken piece of equipment immediately and not allow children to use the equipment until it has been fixed.