1.1 Describing the Factors to Take Into Account When Planning Healthy and Safe Indoor and Outdoor Activities and Services

1.1 Describing the factors to take into account when planning healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments and services
There are many factors to consider when planning a healthy and safe indoor or outdoor activity. The main factors fall into these categories:
• Individual needs, age, ability of children
• Specific risks to individuals, such as pregnancy, sensory impairments
• The function and purpose of environments and servies
• The duty of care
• Desired outcomes for the children
• Lines of responsibility and accountability
It is important when planning an activity that firstly you choose the right environment for the activity. For example, if I was planning a scooter/bike activity, the appropriate environment to host it would be outside as indoors we have limited space. Next I would take into account the age and ability of the children I was involving in the activity, I would choose appropriate scooters and bikes/trikes for those children and make sure the equipment was all in good safe working condition. I would check that all the paths are an even level and free of any rubbish or debris that might interfere with the activity. It is also important to set boundaries, marking out specific areas where the children can play, whilst still in my view and away from any danger of passing cars and vehicles. I would explain these boundaries to the children, and possibly mark them out with cones so they are more visible. There would be constant supervision over the activity, with enough staff there to comply with ratio requirements.
Although every risk is evaluated and avoided to our best ability, it is not always possible to control those risks. The weather is a big factor to consider when planning an activity, in the case of wet weather condition; activities will need to be re-evaluated and further risks to be taken into account. Sometimes resulting in the environment of the activity to be changed, or even a new activity to be planned. At my setting we would limit the access to outside areas in cold and wet weather to avoid any extra risk.