If you’re currently the owner of a daycare centre, or you’re planning on opening one soon, you’ve probably put a lot of thought into the design of your indoor and outdoor spaces. After all, you want your daycare to be fun, educational and most of all, safe for your young charges.
One very important safety feature to think about is the fence that surrounds your daycare. Here are some things you should consider when choosing a new one for the property surrounding your daycare.
Material
Almost any material is suitable for a daycare fence. Wood, wrought iron, PVC and chain link are all commonly used. Whichever material you choose, however, it’s important to make sure that even the smallest child can’t slip through. The bars or pickets on a daycare fence should be no more than 10 centimetres (four inches) apart.
Height
In Ontario, any fence surrounding an outdoor play area must be at least 1.2 metres (four feet) high. This ensures that no child will be able to climb over the fence. If your daycare is located on a busy street, you may want to consider installing an even taller fence so no one can climb over from the sidewalk.
Gates
All fenced-in outdoor play areas in Ontario must have at least one gate that’s kept securely closed at all times. The best option is a self-closing gate in the same material and style of the fence. This type of gate has springs in the hinges that allow the gate to swing closed every time it’s opened. This way, you never have to worry about the door being accidentally left open.
Privacy
If your daycare is in a busy area, you’ll want your fence to provide some privacy so the kids can play in peace. One great choice is chain link with privacy slats, which block the yard from view, but don’t totally block the light. Using slats will also ensure that even the most agile child can’t get a foothold on the fence to climb over it.
Fence installation in the GTA
If you’re opening a daycare in the Greater Toronto Area, you need a fencing company you can trust. For a chain link or iron fence with a safety gate to match, you can depend on City Fence. For more information about our services and products or to request a free quote, contact us today.