8VAC20-781-260 Indoor and outdoor play areas and equipment 

(J) Sandboxes:  this requirement for a cover effectively prohibits programs from using public parks, which typically contain sand play areas without covers.  This is a hardship for urban programs.  Sand with proper drainage is perfectly safe.  There is actually research that shows mold and bacteria grow more readily in covered sandboxes that don't allow sun and open air to slow down that growth.  Based on my observation of public school pre-K playgrounds, unfortunately, the likely impact of this regulation is not that covers will be installed; it is that sandboxes will be phased out/removed - and sand play is so beneficial to children's development!  Sensory play is important!  Is there really significant documented issues with uncovered sandboxes??

(T) It would be a great benefit, especially to keeping young children with regulation challenges and special needs in group care, to allow small, mini-trampolines - even if only over protective surfacing.