Starting a loose parts shed is great, but it’s easy for schools to overlook the importance of establishing secure systems to ensure the shed remains safe and sustainable, particularly if something goes wrong.
We don’t want sheds to be shut down if someone gets hurt. Instead, we want them to become a thriving part of every school community.
So, here are our FIVE key attributes for maintaining a safe and successful loose parts shed:
1. School Wide Play Policies
If I were to ask you to have a look through your school health and safety policies, would I find anything about play and it’s benefits? Here, we zoom out from the actual shed and check that schools have some broad statements about how they provide and manage play at their kura. This does not need to be a 20 page document, it may just be 3 paragraphs that mention your policies on play, tree climbing, and loose parts.
Resources:
– Our Junky Monkey policies need to be robust, as PLAY is what we live and breathe, please take what you need from here and adapt and make it your own.
– Dominion Rd Primary have done some hard mahi around setting up school wide play policies with their Play Advisor from Sport Auckland. They are a perfect example of how policies can be written simply.
How often:
Once every 2-5 years
2. Risk Assessment Form
Zoom in slightly now, and look at creating a RAMS form for a particular area that you are planning on playing in. Kaiako are well used to filing these for activities out of school, and you may be saying that you don’t need this while you are on school grounds.
I would reassure you that this form only needs to be completed annually, as long as the area doesn’t change. Once it’s done, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of the space in use, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable play environment for everyone.
Resources:
– HERE is our RAMS Form to use as an example. Can you sit down with other play advocates in your kura and do this together?
How often:
Once a year
3. Rules or Agreements
To foster a high-trust environment where free play can thrive, it’s crucial to establish a safe container by clearly communicating expectations for play. This involves setting boundaries so that everyone shares a common kaupapa and feels seen, heard, and understood.
We recommend creating these agreements with students, as this approach gives them greater ownership and agency. Keep the rules brief and simple so that children can easily remember them. You may print these out and have them on the shed. Think about how you can make stduents and kaiako aware of these on a regular basis.
Resources:
– Here are Junky Monkeys Rules as a video and a poster.
How often:
Establish rules once a year, or as needed.
Discuss and reintroduce the rules every term or day if needed.
4. Daily Hazard Check
Here, we zoom in with a macro lens to examine the play area and resources available daily, ensuring that it’s safe for play in its current condition. I understand kaiako are busy, but this is a crucial step that can easily be overlooked or dismissed. Before the children begin playing, take a moment to grab your clipboard with the daily hazard checklist and assess any new risks. For instance, you might notice mushrooms growing in the area, a fallen tree, slippery surfaces from rain, or broken junk with sharp edges. Once identified, determine if the hazard can be safely mitigated or if it poses too great a risk, requiring a new plan. It’s essential to consider the potential benefits of some hazards, as we don’t want to unconsciously limit opportunities for risky play. Tim Gill has some great research about this.
Resources:
– HERE is an example of a Daily Hazard checklist we made for schools
– HERE is Junky Monkeys daily hazard checklist that we use before every session
How often:
Before EVERY play session
5. Spread the Word
Congratulations! You’ve ticked all the boxes to make your shed a safe and enjoyable place to play. Now, there’s one last, crucial step: spread the word. Don’t let these vital policies and decisions sit idle in a folder, gathering dust.If you’re reading this, you’re probably a bit of a play enthusiast like myself. By sharing your systems and policies with others, you’re educating them about the benefits of play and how to create a safe environment for it. While we never want anyone to get hurt using loose parts, the reality is that kids get hurt at school every day. If something does go wrong, these attributes will help everyone feel more reassured and reduce the risk of the shed being shut down.
Resources:
– Here is a video about what loose parts are to share with whānau
How often:
At every opportunity
If your kura needs some support with either kickstarting your own shed, or making your current one indestructible, we have some wrap around coaching that can make this dream a reality. CONTACT US to find out more.
Keep Playing beautiful people.
