This study aimed to provide a basis for developing sound outdoor play environments in early childhood education centers. The study explored the play environments based on the current conditions and difference in current conditions between a kindergarten and a day care center. The subjects were 96 early childhood education institutes (47 kindergartens, 49 day care centers) located in Gwang Ju. Data was collected through a questionnaire presented to teachers to examine the conditions of outdoor play environments. The assessment scale used to measure the outdoor play environment was developed by Sin Dong Ju (2005). The questionnaire consisted of two parts; the first part focused on space arrangement and equipment, the second part analyzed safety. In each part of the questionnaire, 20 assessment items were provided, respectively. Participants rated each assessment item for existence and function on a scale from 1 to 5. Results from the study showed that early childhood education centers were most concerned about safety when they had organized outdoor play activities and outdoor environments. The space arrangement and equipment of early childhood education centers in Gwang Ju scored lower than average the outside safety parts. The results of comparative analysis on early childhood education center types showed that kindergartens scored in the classroom and outdoor environments, but scored noticeably lower in safety than the day care centers, which scored higher in all parts.