What is the Ofsted Guidance for School Playgrounds?
PlaySmart playgrounds are not just places for fun. They act as quasi-outdoor classrooms for child-led development – a learning playground for schools. So, what legislation and Ofsted guidance applies here?
In England and Wales, the Department for Education sets out statutory guidance for an ‘Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)’ framework, updated in 2024. This sets out standards schools/childcare providers must meet for, ‘the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5’.
There are two EYFS frameworks: one for ‘childminders’, and one for ‘group and school-based providers’. Relevant for children’s playgrounds, the learning and development requirements in the school-based EYFS has legal force under s. 39(1)(a) of the Childcare Act 2006, and the safeguarding and welfare requirements are given legal force under s. 39(1)(b) of the same Act.
What does Ofsted Guidance look for in School Playgrounds?
The EYFS frameworks explicitly state seven key areas of learning and development; statutorily enforced under the aforementioned Childcare Act 2006. Specifically, three of which are prime areas: ‘communication and language,’ ‘physical development,’ and ‘personal, social, and emotional development’. It is clear all three, and the other four areas (‘literacy,’ ‘mathematics,’ ‘understanding the world,’ and ‘expressive arts and design’) are all interconnected, relying upon one another.
‘Physical development’ has a strong emphasis on gross and fine motor skills, which outdoor play contributes to, by developing, ‘their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility’. Schools need outdoor play areas for children to let off energy during break and lunch break, ensuring better focus when the teaching begins. These play areas need to be high-quality, so both teachers and families have confidence their child will not face harm.on any equipment.
This is where PlaySmart comes in. We are always up to date with the latest Ofsted guidance, ensuring when we carry out work on playgrounds for schools, we are compliant with the EFYS framework. Ofsted Inspectors want to be sure children can use their playgrounds daily. We take this into consideration with our holistic, long-term approach to installation.
How PlaySmart can help Schools prepare for Ofsted Inspections:
With a particular emphasis on children aged 0 – 5, all equipment and environments must be safe, through compliant surfaces. Here at PlaySmart, we are members of the Association of Play Industries, and we meet BS EN 1176 (safety of playground equipment) and BS EN 1177 (impact-absorbing surfaces under and around playground equipment) standards. These standards ensure playgrounds meet anti-slip and fall protection requirements. Subsequently giving you peace of mind that your playgrounds are safe, especially important when those stressful Ofsted Inspections take place!
Don’t just take out word for it. Wycombe Abbey School stated, “PlaySmart were able to offer a professional and competitive service, with the works being carried out on time and to the highest of standards that we would expect at our site. Myself and all of the team here at the Abbey are very pleased with the final result and will be looking to PlaySmart in the future.”
If you want to learn more about how we consider playground safety in all our surfacing choices, check out our top tips for keeping children’s outdoor play safe and fun.
Learning through Play, and SEND Considerations:
The Department for Education published a report in 2015 strongly advocating outdoor play as being a form of effective teaching, boosting a child’s confidence, language capability, physical development, and creativity. When a school has a high-quality playground, a child’s behaviour and concentration increases.
Safe children’s playgrounds are optimal locations for exploration their creativity, building confidence, and socially interacting with their peers. In particular, we also recognise where the EYFS framework stresses inclusivity in design for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We will work with you to supply, install, and maintain the correct flooring solution for your playground, taking account of wheelchair and buggy accessibility. For example, we installed hybrid grass at Tinsley Meadows Primary School, increasing accessibility, and removing a dangerous mud slide issue.
Looking to learn more about Children’s Playgrounds?
Ofsted emphasise the multi-faceted nature outdoor environments and each playground for schools should provide for children. They aren’t just for fun; they are outdoor classrooms, which require consideration for factors such as drainage solutions, weather protection over time, and aesthetics.
If you are looking for a safer surfacing solution, we have over 20 years of experience. Check out the previous work we have completed in the education sector. We are specialists in surfacing and landscape creation, so no query is too niche. If you’re interested in finding out more about what we do, fill out our contact form, or give us a call on 01564 742811.
