Small objects in outdoor play spaces

Children under two years of age must not have access to small objects, such as bark or pebbles, which can be a choking hazard for young children. 

ACECQA, ACCC and Kidsafe all recommend any object smaller than a table tennis ball can be a choking hazard and should be kept well out of reach of children under the age of three years. This should be considered when providing play materials and designing outdoor spaces for children  at education and care services.

This applies to all new service approvals from 1 November 2019 and services that undertake significant outdoor upgrades.

If your service was approved on 1 November 2019 or after:

• Ensure children under two do not have access to small objects that could cause choking.
• This may include having policies to ensure small objects are not brought in from home.

If your service was approved before this, your options are:

• Replace small objects with more suitable materials where possible or when upgrading.
• Carry out risk assessments and have practices in place to reduce risk.

Further information:

• Outdoor learning environments: best practice principles, Education Standards Board fact sheet
• Babies and outdoor play, ACECQA information sheet
• Information sheets on playground safety by KidsafeSA
• Guidance on buying safe toys and making a DIY safety tool for checking the size of small objects from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.