Childcare Playground Equipment Annual Safety Inspection

Annual playground inspections by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) or thorough internal inspection are essential for childcare licensing and child safety. This comprehensive inspection covers all CPSC and ASTM F1487 safety standards for public playground equipment.

Industry: Childcare and Education
Frequency: Annually (plus seasonal reviews)
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Role: Director / CPSI or Qualified Inspector
Total Items: 32

Fall Zone and Protective Surfacing

Inspect critical fall zone surfacing.

Protective surfacing at adequate depth throughout entire fall zone?
Fall zone extends minimum 6 feet from equipment perimeter?
No hard surfaces (asphalt, concrete, compacted soil) under or around equipment?
No rocks, roots, or debris in fall zone?
Surfacing depth maintained uniformly including under swings and at slide exits?
Accessible route through fall zone surfacing meeting ADA requirements?

Entrapment and Entanglement Hazards

Inspect for entrapment and entanglement hazards.

All openings checked for head entrapment (4-9 inch range prohibited)?
No protrusions that could catch clothing or cause impalement?
No ropes, chains, or cables creating entanglement risk?
No S-hooks, bolts, or protrusions that could catch drawstrings?
Slide entry guardrails present and no entrapment at slide entry?

Structural Integrity

Inspect structural integrity of all equipment.

No excessive wobbling or instability in any equipment component?
All nuts, bolts, and hardware tight and secure with no missing fasteners?
No splinters, cracks, or weathered wood requiring repair or replacement?
No significant rust or corrosion on metal components?
No cracked, brittle, or deteriorated plastic components?
All equipment anchor points secure and footings intact?

Age-Appropriate Design

Verify equipment is age-appropriate and properly marked.

Age-appropriate use signs posted for all equipment?
Separate play zones for toddlers and preschoolers if both ages use playground?
Platform heights age-appropriate for children using the area?
Guardrails present on all elevated platforms over 20 inches for preschool age?
Slide chute length appropriate for height with flared exit?

Swing Equipment Inspection

Inspect swings and swing components.

All swing seats in good condition with no cracks or tears?
Swing chains or ropes free of damage, kinks, or missing links?
Swing fall zone extends 2x height in front and behind?
Tire swings have drainage holes to prevent water accumulation?
Swing frame uprights secure with no movement at base?

Annual Inspection Documentation

Complete annual inspection documentation.

Complete written annual inspection report prepared with all findings?
Photos taken of all identified deficiencies?
Deficiencies ranked by severity with immediate hazards addressed before reopening?
Repairs required from previous annual inspection verified as completed?
Annual inspection report filed and available for licensing review?

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Why Use This Childcare Playground Equipment Annual Safety Inspection?

This childcare playground equipment annual safety inspection helps childcare and education teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for director / cpsi or qualified inspector professionals, this checklist covers 32 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: annually (plus seasonal reviews).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Childcare Playground Equipment Annual Safety Inspection cover?

This checklist covers 32 inspection items across 6 sections: Fall Zone and Protective Surfacing, Entrapment and Entanglement Hazards, Structural Integrity, Age-Appropriate Design, Swing Equipment Inspection, Annual Inspection Documentation. It is designed for childcare and education operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annually (plus seasonal reviews). Each completion takes approximately 3-4 hours.

Who should use this Childcare Playground Equipment Annual Safety Inspection?

This checklist is designed for Director / CPSI or Qualified Inspector professionals in the childcare and education industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.