Plan J is a five-step process that helps you move from the design to the unveiling of your playground with the assurance that everything will unfold without a hitch.

Using all the past experiences of our customers, we have designed the typical portrait of complete project in which everything is rigorously controlled. The benefit? A project that is completed without surprises and glitches, without delays and cost overruns, and a playground that meets all expectations.

The best way to obtain the right answers is to ask the right questions. Jambette has made a list of all the questions that need to be asked before the play structures and modules that will give life to your project are even identified.

Complete the Plan J questionnaire

Make sure that you have thought of everything :

• Measure the total surface area of your playground
• Accessibility of the area by the machinery (around and inside)
• Present installations to be kept or removed
• Development capacity of the space in the medium and long term
• Intended age groups for the play structures and modules
• Purpose of the playground (physical development, psycho­motor development, socialization, etc.)
• Budget available for equipment and its installation
• Project timeline
• Internal resources that need to be called upon for design
  and completion (architects, contractors, volunteers, etc.)

While a Jambette representative has the most expertise and is the most reliable source in helping you imagine what your space will look like, nothing is quite as exciting as browsing through our catalogue, selecting components and laying them all out. Many tools are available to assist you :

• At www.jambette.com/jambette-store/all-products, you will find all our products and a link to the colour chart.
• At www.jambette.com/jambette-store/catalogue, you can create your own Jambette catalogue by selecting the criteria that apply to your project.
• At www.jambette.com/service/acquisition-from-a-to-z/sales-team, you will meet those whose mission is to guide you throughout your entire project.

Moreover, throughout their careers, Jambette representatives have made many observations worthy of consideration.

Here are just a few :

• In school yards and near public buildings, place sand pits a good
  distance from entrance doors. When they are too close, the sand
  inevitably gets tracked into the building, which ends up scratching the floors.
• When building new constructions (e.g. day-care centres), plan to have a fence with a double gate. When work needs to be done inside the fence, it will be easier for the machinery to gain access.
• There is a practical side to planning a playground project for young children right next to sports fields for older children. Parents can watch both more easily.
• Providing furnishings (benches, tables) near play areas makes visits for parents and/or grandparents more appealing.
• When developing a new park, it’s good to start with a module that includes slides and swings. Checking the age groups of children in the area, as well as the presence of child care services, helps determine the modules that will be most suitable.
• For safety reasons, slides and swings are better off placed in areas with limited traffic (at the back of the yard, for example).
• Play structures set up in school yards are best designed to accommodate a large number of children over a short period of time (recess, lunch hour).
• Grassy surfaces do not flourish in small spaces like the yards of day-care centres.
• Separating the area intended for 18 month to 5 year olds from the area intended for 5 to 12 year olds is a very good idea, but they must not be too far apart. Parents who have children in both age groups must be able to watch them.
• Provide shade around the play areas.
• Good lighting reduces the risks of vandalism.

A crucial step of your project, the validation of selections, allows you to check that everything is perfect from all points of view: selection of play structures and modules, choice of colours, layout plan and of course everything regarding costs and timelines. The most productive way to complete this step is to meet with a Jambette representative with two things: your answers to the Plan J questionnaire and your layout plan. You will be able to compare them against one another and check that all your objectives will be met. If improvements can be made, this is the time to make them!

Your best guarantee for durability is professional installation. Jambette provides a full turnkey installation service that helps you avoid any hassle. We can also supervise installation by a third party. If you decide to take charge of the installation yourself, we remain available to advise you as needed.

• Further details are available at www.jambette.com/service/acquisition-from-a-to-z/installation.
• For maintenance, visit www.jambette.com/safety.
• For information on our products’ full warranties,
  visit www.jambette.com/service/warranties.

The J-Day has arrived. The ribbon-cutting ceremony can be held, and the children can take over what will very quickly become their playground. Take some photos and send them to us at event-pictures@jambette.com!