Wood plastic composite Fencing Your Outdoor Play Area

Fencing Your Outdoor Play Area

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Fencing Your Outdoor Play Area

Meeting the individual developmental needs of each child in a family child care setting is a challenge. Your environment should promote independence, self-help skills, and learning through exploration and observation. At the same time, an outdoor play area must be safe and secure, permitting children to run and play freely within these defined boundaries. The family child care rule book defines supervision as “guidance of the behavior and activities of children…. for their health, safety and well-being by a provider who is within sight or sound of the children.” An enclosed outdoor play area is developmentally appropriate for young children and reduces liability risk for child care providers.

Outdoor Composite fencing

Selecting fencing, or “But I can’t afford a fence!”

If someone told you a fence for a play area could be completed for less than $100 and a little “sweat equity” would you build it? Just as the first car you owned probably wasn’t the fancy model you desired, so too the first fencing material you use may not be the lovely wooden fence of your dreams.

To meet the minimum 600 square feet requirement you need two 50 ft rolls of fencing material and approximately 10 posts, if posts are utilized for support every 10 feet. Acceptable materials include rolls of plastic or wire fencing, at least 48 inches (4 feet) high that may be purchased for around $30 a roll at many building supply stores.
Posts must be long enough to support the 4 foot high fence plus have 1 foot more of length to pound into the ground to meet licensing’s “permanent” requirement. Metal or wood posts 60 inches (5 feet) in length are usually sufficient. These are also sold at most building supply stores for around $2 each.

A gate is the final consideration. Even if children can enter directly from your home/center you will need to provide entry for a lawnmower or other equipment. Materials for a gate may be purchased at that same store. Wood (2×4) or PVC pipe, with leftover fencing material attached as a covering, can be made into a gate with a little effort. Remember to include hinges and latches on your shopping list. If you don’t have the skills or the tools to build a fence, consider asking for help from a relative, neighbor or parent of a child enrolled in your program.

Save your receipts, and the miles you drove to purchase these materials. These costs should be deductible as business expenses.) There are many ways to create your fence, but some are costlier than others. Let your budget be your guide.