Preschool New Play Ground... Safe?

Kids play on cement all the time, whether or not they are in school.
I grew up that way too.
My kids too.
My kids went to Preschools... in which one had an outdoor/grass playground. The other was a cement outdoor but covered playground.
It is FINE.

The see-saw... perhaps should be on the rubber playground.

Well, we play on cement all the time don't we? The sidewalk, the street, the bike path, the patio, the area around the pool.
Now I wouldn't want swings or a high climbing play structure on a cement surface, but other than that, I don't see the problem.
Are you sure you're okay with this preschool? You ask a lot of questions about it's policies and safety issues. I think if you're not comfortable there maybe you should look at a few other schools. That might give you a little more perspective.

Yes, kids can and should play on cement. I would not be concerned.

Everything you described going onto the cement doesn't sound like anything that needs a soft area for landing. If you are launching cars and houses you have a more serious issue that cement.

The only thing they could fall off of is the sea saw but with just a bit of supervision that should be fine as well.

We are required, in Oklahoma, to have at least 2 different surface types and concrete is often a good one since the kids can bounce balls, jump rope, ride a bike or skate, etc....on it.

We had concrete for the kids in every playground I have ever worked at, even the one I owned. If the kids are wearing appropriate school wear shoes they should be safe. Often parents do not make sure their children are wearing no skid soles but allow flip flops and sandals. These are not the right things they should wear. They need shoes that they don't need to constantly tie over and over, they need closed toed shoes with complete heel coverage to protect their feet so they can run and play. Most schools don't allow less in their dress code. Some do and those kids get hurt.

I think it's perfectly fine to have concrete in a play yard. All elementary schools have hard surfaces for the kids to play on, especially when it's muddy.

Kids have been playing in driveways, on roads and on sidewalks forever. I wouldn't recommend cement for the 1 year old new walkers, but 3 and 4 year olds are fine. You couldn't use the ride on toys, or bounce balls, or play hopscotch on anything else. What's the worst that might happen, a skinned knee?

Being originally from NY where there is the concrete jungle even swings are on cement in places. That being said a little cement area to kick balls around etc is fine. Do chalk drawings etc. Seesaw I have to say I would not like to see.

As the others said, it should be fine. THey are not climbing on anything so they won't fall and hit themselves. The see saw should be fine with the supervison they have.

I would not worry about it.

I lived in Brazil and 4 days after moving there I fell down 1/2 a flight of stairs and tore all the ligaments in my ankle. My parents were at the American Embassy party and the babysitter let us run wild in the hotel! My mom was ready to pack up and move back to the states!

I understand your concern, but we have been playing on concrete forever as many have mentioned. Your kiddo will be okay. For some of those activities you do need a concrete surface. Not sure about a see saw. Love them but not a fan of them for little ones.

Enjoy your experience! We loved ours! Saw so much of South America!!

It depends what the cement is being used for. I don't think it's safe at all to have a climbing structure or swings on cement. But if the area is for riding bikes, using push cars, or playing basketball, I think cement is fine. My son's school has a grass area, a sand area, and a cement track (like a sidewalk) that circles around the grassy part so they can ride their tricycles. It sounds like the toys they put in the cement area are safe for that surface.

It's perfectly fine for kids that age to play on cement. My son's kindergarten (German preschool) had a large outdoor area. There were: a large grassy area, a large sandbox with lots of toys, a playhouse, a cement area, and various climbing structures. The climbing structures were built over a thick layer of sand. In the cement area kids could ride small bikes or other riding toys. They could also play with balls there or on the grass.

Preschools in the country where I live frown on parents helping out in the classroom or during outdoor play time. But preschool teachers go through a lot of education and training and know what is developmentally appropriate for kids that age. You will have to trust that your child's teachers know their jobs and know what is right for their students. Parents in this country tend not to be so overprotective of their kids as they are in the States.

I would not be worried about cement if the kids are not climbing up onto structures.

I was OK with the idea until I read that there is a see-saw on the cement and riding toys are involved too.

Bouncing balls, fine. But picture your kid falling from the raised side of a see-saw onto the cement. Head first. And if there are riding toys, are the kids wearing helmets? Would you let your kid ride on the sidewalk (cement) or road (asphalt) without one? If not, don't let your kid ride a riding toy on this cement without one.

Before the "Let them do what they want and get scrapes!" moms chime in that I'm being too worrisome, I'll add:

"Each year, an estimated 15 children ages 14 and under die and more than 200,000 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for playground equipment-related injuries. More than 70 percent of playground-related injuries involve falls to the surface." (from Preventinjury.org). And concrete is a surface that no elementary school I've ever seen here would use under a play structure.

I know some folks will say, "Gee, that's only 15 dead kids a year. Not that many, so what are the odds that MY kid will be one?" I can't live with that kind of thinking so I wouldn't let my kid ride or use the see-saw on the concrete at this preschool. I'd recommend they move the see-saw to grass or an appropriate surface and reserve the concrete just for balls, games like four square, play houses, etc.

I'm not sure why shoes even came into it in one post. This isn't about scraped feet or knees. It's about heads hitting concrete. This isn't a private driveway with kids bouncing balls, it's a surface with a see-saw on it.

It sounds fine. If they had put monkey bars or something kids could easily fall off of onto cement, it would be a concern, but as is, it sounds perfect for ride on cars and a playhouse :) If you want to offer suggestions, I'd tell them to bring out a water or sand table and a couple of playground balls and paint hopscotch as well!

My son went to two preschools and BOTH had large cement areas in their play yards for exactly the activities you describe. There were wood chip and sand areas under the swings, monkey bars, slides etc.

His current Kindergarten playground has a grass area, a play structure with wood chips AND a large cement area as well.