Shade Planning for Early Childhood Centers

Grounds For Play
Sep 5, 2018 · 4 min read

Sun protection should start as early as birth, so what better timing to make an impact on young minds regarding the risks of sun exposure than at your early childhood facility. Various studies show that the risk of skin disease increases significantly when someone suffers from as little as one severe sunburn in his or her childhood or youth. There can also be damage done to a child’s immune system and eye sight when being overly exposed to UV rays, so it’s never too early to start taking sun protection seriously.

Various studies show that the risk of skin disease increases significantly when someone suffers from as little as one severe sunburn in his or her childhood or youth.

Children are at your child care facility for much of the day. Seeing as the sun’s UV rays are at their highest intensity between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., this greatly interferes with normal outdoor recess time spent on your playground. This fact can definitely make any parent or early childcare facility director uneasy when planning the activities of each classroom. That is why it’s important to make sure your outdoor playground and learning centers are shaded to keep children safe from the sun’s harmful effects. In addition to keeping children protected, your outdoor playground and learning equipment investment will also last longer as it prevents early fading and keeps the equipment cool to the touch.

Natural tree shade over a reading/stage area and outdoor dining area.

Types of Child Care Center Playground Shade

Protection from the sun can come in the form of large trees or commercial shade structures installed on your property. If you have large trees on your property, this can make for ideal quite time spots for outdoor reading when paired with child-sized benches. Shade canopies are ideal for shading your commercial playground equipment, musical gardens, sandboxes, and other similar areas. They not only add protection from the weather’s elements, but they can also add to the overall playground environment theme. Shade structures come in many different styles, colors, and shapes; you can even get them in the shape of flowers! Not only are you providing a solution to your property, it will also enhance the look of the outdoor landscape. Parents love these added benefits when deciding which childcare facility to trust with their children!

Protection from the sun can come in the form of large trees or commercial shade structures installed on your property.

Square Hip End shade structure over a sandbox.

A simple 12’ umbrella can shade a small play or picnic area. Choose a hip end structure, the most versatile playground shade, to protect outdoor musical instruments, outdoor classrooms, sandboxes, and small playground structures.

Budgeting for Your Playground Shade

Wanting a shade and adding a shade to your facility are two different things. Shade structures for childcare centers can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more. It all depends on what your specific outdoor needs are. There is no need to fret because there are plenty of different options when it comes to ways to buy playground shade. Be sure investigate grant opportunities for your area. Grant possibilities can range from your local government and agencies to state and federal options. Involve the community in your endeavor by setting up fundraising and crowdfunding campaigns. You also have the option of many co-operative purchasing and leasing programs that many early childhood facilities make use of.

Don’t wait. Act now!

It’s now time to make sun protection outdoors a priority for children and your staff alike. The benefits far outweigh the risks of being overexposed to the sun’s UV rays during the day. So if you’re in the planning phase of a new project or will be soon, be sure to include shade as part of the project.

Get More Information

For more information about the benefits and options to add shade to your outdoor playground and other school grounds, visit Grounds For Play online.

GroundsForPlay

Building better play environments, NOT just playgrounds. We are a leader in educational playground equipment design and manufacturing. #BuildBetterPlay

Grounds For Play

Written by

Building better play environments, NOT just playgrounds. We are a leader in educational playground equipment design and manufacturing. #BuildBetterPlay

GroundsForPlay

Building better play environments, NOT just playgrounds. We are a leader in educational playground equipment design and manufacturing. #BuildBetterPlay

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