What feature is essential for maintaining a secure outdoor play area?

A secure outdoor play area is critical for ensuring the safety of children in a child care setting. The presence of secure fencing around the perimeter serves as a fundamental safety measure. It prevents unauthorized individuals from entering the play area and keeps children from wandering off into potentially dangerous areas nearby, such as roadways or unfamiliar locations.

Secure fencing provides a physical barrier that allows children to explore and engage in outdoor play while minimizing risks associated with their safety. This built environment feature is essential not only for keeping children within designated boundaries but also for providing peace of mind to parents and caregivers about the overall safety of the play environment.

Other options such as open access for parents could lead to safety hazards if the area is not properly monitored. While frequent staff supervision is important, it cannot replace the need for physical security measures like fencing. Outdoor lighting, while beneficial for visibility, is not directly relevant to maintaining the security of the play area itself. Therefore, the secure fencing stands out as the most essential feature for ensuring a safe, contained space for outdoor activities.