Unsupervised playgrounds open, so why not get schools back early?
Calls for fast-track return to classrooms and creches as parks left to parents
THE Government is being urged to reopen schools now that playgrounds are open to the public.
Children’s campaigner Tanya Ward has led the calls, insisting we need to ‘close the gap on learning loss’ and reopen schools during the summer.
Playgrounds have been reopened to the public since Monday – with parental supervision only as councils take a hands-off approach.
Summer camps have also been given the go-ahead – with up to 15 children now allowed to mix together – leading campaigners to question why schools cannot reopen earlier than planned under the Government’s roadmap.
Ms Ward, CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said the reopening of playgrounds is ‘an important step’ but also called for Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone and her colleagues to bring forward the back-to-school date. Schools are set to reopen on a phased basis in late August or early September.
‘I certainly think a push to get children into schools earlier during the summer would be important and that’s to close the gap on learning loss, particularly in children that would be from a disadvantaged background,’ Ms Ward said. ‘We also know that there are families… where parents are both working, really struggling with primary school children. So trying to get schools open as early as we can, potentially in August, I think would be really important.’
Under the latest easing of restrictions, playgrounds have reopened around the country – with the Government leaving the responsibility of social distancing to parents.
There will be no set limit on the number of children allowed per playground and it will be left to parents to ensure there is no overcrowding. The Department of Housing told the Mail yesterday that it will be up to parents, not local-authority staff, to supervise their children when playing. A spokesperson said: ‘As would normally be the case, parents should supervise children in playgrounds, which will help to ensure they can stick to public health advice.’
The department also confirmed last night a ‘blanket capacity’ will not be in place for playgrounds.
The official said: ‘Work is underway by local authorities to prepare for the reopening of playgrounds. In some cases, temporary fencing needs to be removed and Covid-19 signage is being put in place.’
Initially, when the Taoiseach announced that only playgrounds that are supervised will be permitted to open from Monday, it led to some confusion. Dublin City Council
immediately released a statement saying it would not be reopening its 100 playgrounds because it would have to move hundreds of staff onto playground duty.
However, after seeking further clarification, DCC has now reopened playgrounds ‘under the same arrangements as prior to Covid-19’. A spokesman told the Mail: ‘The playgrounds will not be supervised by Council staff, however there will be clear signage regarding the need to adhere to social-distancing and handhygiene requirements, but the key supervisory responsibility will rest with the parents and guardians to ensure compliance.’
Many other councils told the Mail they also will not be deploying staff to marshal playgrounds.
Parents will also be left to judge if a playground is too busy to allow physical distancing, as the Government is not advising a capacity limit for the facilities.
Limerick City and County Council said it is not planning to provide supervision to playgrounds when they reopen in the coming days.
‘The Council had not provided supervision of playgrounds and skate parks prior to them being closed, and this won’t change when they reopen,’ it said.
Instead, the local authority is sanitising its playgrounds and adult equipment areas and erecting new signage. It is also advising parents to make sure they bring hand sanitiser with them on their visit to the playground and to ensure their children adhere to social and physical distancing.
Galway City Council staff will not be supervising its playgrounds, and a list of rules have instead been drawn up for parents. These rules include ensuring their child follows physical distancing rules, and applies hand sanitiser before, at regular intervals during and after use of the playground equipment.
They should also tell their child to avoid touching their face, eyes, nose and mouth.
Meanwhile, South Dublin County Council has begun reopening its playgrounds and skate parks on a phased basis, but will immediately begin a ‘rolling process of safety inspections’.
‘Our park rangers will provide the usual levels of supervision to ensure no crowding, while individual child supervision is a matter for parents who are responsible for public health advice compliance around social distancing, coughing etiquette and hand sanitation,’ it said.
Wexford County Council plans to have all its playgrounds open by Friday. ‘Our playgrounds are not supervised by council staff – and this will remain the situation as they reopen,’ the council said.
Fingal County Council has started inspecting its playgrounds and erecting signage to allow them to reopen this week.
‘This will remain the situation’