Comparative study on the satisfaction and actual conditions of playgrounds in kindergartens and child care centers in Daejeon

영유아교육기관의 실외놀이터 실태와 만족도에 대한 비교 연구 - 대전광역시를 중심으로 -

The purpose of this study was to investigate the satisfaction and current conditions of playground environment in kindergartens and child care centers in Daejeon. Data were collected from 112 directors of kindergartens and child care centers through a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using of frequency, percentage, mean, reliability analysis, crosstab, independent sample t-test, multiple regression. The major results showed the following. 1) 89.3% of subjects(100.0% of kindergartens and 79.7% of child care centers) have a playground. Most of playgrounds were located in the front yard. The playground's play equipments/areas were usually composed of slides, sand play areas, benches, empty playing fields, swings. Flowers/plants, shrubs were most of the natural factors of the playgrounds. 2) Slides and swimming pools of play equipments/areas were rated highest on the satisfaction level. Grass, flowers/plants, and shrubs as the natural factors of the playgrounds, were rated highest on the satisfaction level. 3) The playground was divided into 5 categories, which were made of manufactured play equipment settings, manipulative settings, rest settings, natural settings, adventure settings. Manufactured play equipment settings were rated highest on the satisfaction level. 4) Among 5 categories of the playground's play area, manufactured play equipment settings showed valid variables to playground's satisfaction level.