Risk Assessment Wizard

Create clear, professional risk assessments in minutes. List hazards, set measures and assign responsibilities, then download a clean PDF branded with your organisation.

Get Started

  • Create a Risk Assessment
Children playing in school playground
School & Education

Recess & Playtime Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for break times, playtime supervision, and outdoor play activities.

Create Risk Assessment Download Guide PDF
Free to use Instant PDF download Updated February 2026

In This Guide

1 Introduction & Overview 2 Activity Benefits 3 Hazards & Control Measures 4 Safety Checklist 5 Related Guides

The essential guide to recess and playtime safety

Recess and playtime provide essential opportunities for physical activity, social development, and unstructured play. These daily activities require systematic planning to manage playground hazards while encouraging active, creative play.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough risk assessment—from equipment safety and supervision arrangements to weather protocols, conflict management, and perimeter security.

Children on playground climbing frame
Educational
Activity Benefits

Why recess matters

Physical Health

Provides essential movement that supports physical health.

Social Skills

Builds social skills through negotiation and shared games.

Emotional Wellbeing

Supports emotional regulation and stress relief.

Focus & Learning

Improves focus and readiness to learn after breaks.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

Falls & CollisionsHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Falls from equipment, collisions during running games, trips on surfaces.

Control Measures
  • Impact-absorbing surfaces maintained
  • Equipment regularly inspected
  • Zoned areas for different activities
  • Staff positioned at high-risk areas
SupervisionHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Missed incidents, delayed intervention, children out of sight.

Control Measures
  • Adequate duty staff ratios
  • Assigned positions with sightlines
  • Communication system in place
  • Clear handover procedures
Perimeter SecurityHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Child leaves site, unauthorized adult enters, delayed response.

Control Measures
  • Fencing intact and secure
  • Gates locked during play
  • Visitor protocols enforced
  • Staff positioned near exits
WeatherMedium Risk
Potential Harm

Sunburn, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, slips on ice.

Control Measures
  • Shaded areas available
  • Water access during hot weather
  • Indoor alternatives for extremes
  • Ice and wet surface checks

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 21 hazards and 47+ control measures for Recess/Playtime, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Safety Checklist

Recess checklist

Playground

  • Equipment checked
  • Surfaces safe
  • Litter cleared
  • Gates secured

Supervision

  • Staff positioned
  • Ratios adequate
  • Communication ready
  • High-vis worn

Weather

  • Conditions assessed
  • Shade available
  • Water accessible
  • Indoor option ready

First Aid

  • Kit accessible
  • Trained staff on duty
  • Ice packs ready
  • Incident forms

Create your recess risk assessment now

Use our free template builder to create a comprehensive risk assessment in minutes.

Create Risk Assessment View Sample PDF