Does your daycare have a suitable outdoor area? If you run a daycare in your home, you might be surprised to learn that grass is not a particularly safe surface for children, particularly young children, who either tend to be rather unsteady on their feet or who otherwise tend to have boundless energy, and frequently run the risk of falling and tumbling about.
Even long, luscious grass conceals a hard layer of earth beneath. To fall on this kind of ground is rather painful; in the worst case, it can cause serious injury, including bumps, bruises, and, in some instances, where there is enough force, broken bones.
Although you’d have to put kids in a bubble to stop the risk of any kind of injury in an outdoor play area, you can minimize the risk of injury by taking some simple precautions. One of the best precautions, surprisingly overlooked by many at-home daycares, is the provision of a surface softer than grass. Artificial grass or synthetic turf provide an excellent protective ground surface for outdoor play areas, particularly areas with climbing frames and raised play equipment.
The unique design of synthetic turf not only provides better cushioning, however, the outermost surface layer is also a lot cleaner and easier to maintain than grass.
Although there is a range of synthetic turf styles to choose from, most of standard turf designs include the following features that facilitate a considerable level of safety for children:
The following list shows the level composition of every synthetic grass group installed in the ground:
(a) A granulated rubber layer that allows the light penetrate in the set up while giving the entire grass ground a soft feel that makes it easier to walk around in.
(b) Rounded silica sand that serves as a synthetic soil and creates a soft feel of the entire setup.
(d) A Duraflo ™ Backing System that stands as a mid-ground connection between the substances contained in the upper and lower ground layers.
(e) A leveling layer that allows the water to penetrate through the drainage zone and allow a lengthened stay in the set up to reduce the constant need for water.
(f) A drainage zone that releases water absorbed within the synthetic grass system.
(g) Geotextiles that make it easier for the nutrients from the compost ground to penetrate the upper level of the set up and provide the entire grass with the mineral nutrients it needs from the actual ground to be able to keep its rich green color.
(h) Natural Subgrade (Compost) that acts as a soil-like ground level of the entire set-up, providing access to the natural nutrients needed to make the synthetic grass appear as natural as it should be.
At National Greens, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer top-quality synthetic surfaces and our products are truly designed with our customers in mind. The technology is cutting edge but our prices and fees are designed to be affordable. With us, you never have to compromise on safety or quality just because you are a small business owner operating on a tight budget. For more information about National Greens and guidance on how to select and arrange for the installation of synthetic turf for your home-based daycare, call us or visit us online.
