Premises and facilities criterion 13
Outdoor activity space is:
- connected to the indoor activity space and can be easily and safely accessed by children;
- safe, well-drained, and suitably surfaced for a variety of activities;
- enclosed by structures and/or fences and gates designed to ensure that children are not able to leave the premises without the knowledge of adults providing education and care;
- not unduly restricted by Resource Consent conditions with regards to its use by the service to provide for outdoor experiences; and
- available for the exclusive use of the service during hours of operation.
Related to clause 45(1)(a)(i&ii) of standard.
Rationale/Intent:
The criterion aims to:
- uphold a minimum level of quality education by ensuring that children have easy access to the outdoor environment
- uphold children's safety by ensuring that the outdoor environment is securely fenced so that 'escape' is less likely
- uphold children's safety and a minimum level of quality education by ensuring the area is well-drained and has suitable surfacing.
The criterion is underpinned by the belief that the opportunity for outdoor play is an important feature of the education and care of young children in New Zealand.