Strait Regional Centre for Education

Roles and Responsibilities

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

• Provides leadership and capital construction funding of new school construction, including playgrounds.

• Educational Facility Design Requirements are governed by the Province of Nova Scotia Department of Public Works Building Infrastructure Design and Construction DC350 Manual, July 2024.

• Part 2 of the DC350 manual, Educational Facilities Design Requirements, was developed to further identify the minimum acceptable design, construction and installation standards for schools built in Nova Scotia, including playgrounds and play spaces.

• This portion of the DC350 was generated by a committee of representatives from the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works with input from architects and engineers from the private sector.

• This resource will support the design of revitalized playgrounds or replacement or enhancement of existing structures and site elements.

• Site elements will be designed to suit each site and development program. The requirements for each school, including the number and size of facilities, will consider the school population and grade configurations, and be determined by the Province and the School Planning Committee. Site elements will generally consist of the following:
  
  - Field equipment and structures
  - Sports fields
  - Play systems
  - Play surfaces
  - Outdoor basketball equipment
  - Paved areas
  

• The Contractor shall carry an allowance for recreation equipment, not including the cost of installation and safety surface, as outlined Department of Public Works Building Infrastructure Design and Construction DC350 Manual, July 2024.
  

• All equipment installed in schools shall be approved, supplied and installed to current CSA Standards.
  

• To accommodate learners' diverse learning styles and preferences, each classroom and school ground will allow optimal opportunity for the use of a range of communication modes and activities. (DC350, School Design Requirements, section 1.6)

Regional Centre of Education 

The Nova Scotia Education Act governs the responsibilities of educational entities, school boards and educational institutions. In accordance with this Act, educational entities manage and control its public schools, programs and related services in the school region under its jurisdiction. (2018, c. 1, Sch. A, s. 61.)

The Governor in Council Education Act Regulations under the Act require an education entity to provide teaching aids, materials and supplies, and repair and maintain equipment required to conduct the public school program and related services in classrooms, school libraries, laboratories, music rooms, audio-visual rooms, gymnasiums and auditoriums, and other areas in which the program or portions of the program are conducted. (S.N.S. c.1, Schedule A,2018).

Further, an education entity may declare any building used for public school purposes or any part of a building used for public school purposes, or the appurtenances or grounds thereof, to be unfit for public school purposes. (2018, c. 1, Sch. A, s. 74; 2023, c. 10, s. 106).

Roles Specific to Playgrounds on School Property

Appropriate school and Regional Education Centre staff will:

• Maintain playgrounds located on school property;

• Remove equipment that is deemed unsafe;

• Participate in the planning and execution of playground enhancement projects to ensure all statutory, regulatory and policy requirements are met and the project is suitable for the school facility;

• Approve the membership of the volunteer planning committee;

• Engage with community partners/organizing committee at the onset of planning phase;

• Take leadership on site preparation and development;

• Hire contractor and define specific roles and responsibilities;

• Manage the tender and procurement process;

• Manage the fundraising account;

• Ensure compliance with design requirements;

• Ensure compliance with insurance requirements for installation of equipment;

• Provide ongoing inspections and maintenance of play spaces;

• Provide oversight and submit completed grant applications; and

• Prepare final report and submit to funding agencies.
  
  

Playground Planning Committees

• Engage with schools and the SRCE at the onset of planning;

• Meaningfully engage with all members of the school community to ensure that the perspectives of different abilities, ages, cultures and genders contribute to the design of a play space that is inclusive, accessible and meets the needs of all users;

• Investigate potential partnership agreements between Regional Centre for Education and municipality;

• Research funding sources (i.e. municipal, provincial, federal, corporate) and contribute to application process;

• In collaboration with the RCE, prepare outline of costs and obtain budgetary pricing;

• Select equipment and design details prior to making grant applications, including accessibility features; and

• Engage in and lead approved fundraising activities that may involve community partners.

Municipalities

The Municipal Government Act outlines the responsibilities of municipalities, which includes expending money required by the village for playgrounds, trails, bicycle paths, swimming pools, ice arenas and other recreational facilities and the maintenance of public spaces such as parks and playgrounds. Part XVIII, Section 423. (ab)

Generally, if the playground is part of a public park, the municipality is responsible. If it is on school grounds, the Regional Centre for Education or the school would manage maintenance.

Communicate with municipal units to discuss partnership opportunities with the proposed project.