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Type of Building | Playrooms | Bathroom | Kitchen | Isolation, Office, Staff Lounge, Storage
Outdoor Play Area | Parking Facilities

Type of Building:

1. Preferably one story, fire safe construction, located in the correct zone, and structurally meeting all state and local building codes.
   
2. Adequate outdoor area (75 sq. ft. per child minimum) readily accessible to the indoor play areas and toilets for capacity desired.
   
3. Window area meets mandatory requirements of not less than 8% of the floor area.
   
4. Windows that open (with screen) or a mechanical ventilation system providing fresh air at the rate of 7.5 cubic feet per minute per occupant.
   
5. Exit doors that swing outward or toward the natural means of egress.
   
6. Doors that are not less than 3 feet wide.
   
7. Each floor occupied by children must have at least 2 exits. Acceptable egress to the outside from all areas used by children for play, napping and food service.
   
8. Playrooms adequate for good programming and teacher ratio.
   
9. Plumbing, heating and wiring according to state and local code specifications.
   
10. A fire alarm system or interconnected smoke detectors.
    
11. Consider the location in relationship to where parents work, live, drive past, etc.

 

Playrooms:

1. Suitable size and arrangement to permit good program planning and necessary supervision (children need to be within sight and sound of a caregiver at all times), considering 35 sq. ft. per child as a minimum.
   
2. Adequately heated in the winter and ventilated in the summer.
   
3. Floors that provide for safety, warmth and cleanliness.
   
4. Permits storage within reach of where used, allows for the storage of children’s play equipment on low open shelves, and for the children’s personal belongings in cubbies. Space needs to be available for the storage of children’s outer garments at their own level.
   
5. Furnishings can be arranged so as not to interfere with exits and permit storage when not in use.
   

Bathrooms:

1. Readily accessible to the indoor and outdoor program.
   
2. One toilet is required for the first 10 children, with one additional toilet for every 15 children. There needs to be one sink for every 2 toilets (In addition, each self-contained classroom or area serving children under age two shall have a sink with hot and cold running water within the room or area).
   
3. Staff will need to have toilet facilities.
   
4. Fixtures need to be suitable in size and height. If not, provisions for platforms need to be considered.
   
5. Doors need to be openable from the outside.

Kitchen:

1. Adequate space and equipment to provide for food service capacity.
   
2. Meets state and local code requirements (consider dishwashing regulations).
   
3. Insures good program planning in relationship to food service.

Isolation, Office, Staff Lounge, Storage:

1. Adequate to meet use-need and readily accessible.

Outdoor Play Area:

1. Close access to indoor play area and bathrooms, providing 75 sq. ft. per child minimum space and permitting supervision.
   
2. Provision for shaded area.
   
3. Adequately fenced, surfaced and drained.
   
4. Permits best equipment placement considering safety factors and good program planning with supervision.

Parking Facilities:

1. Permits parent or designated person ease in dropping off and picking up of children.
   
2. Allows for enough parking spaces for employees at any given point throughout the day. Allows for a handicapped zone.

    

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