Children and adults are affected by the environment in which they spend their day. Careful design of a child care facility can improve the safety, effectiveness, and quality of programming in new facilities or remodeled existing buildings and outdoor areas. The following is a sample of national organizations and publications with information about child care facility design and development. Also included is information about licensing requirements and standards for child care centers.
National Organizations
- Building Child Care (BCC)
National Economic Development and Law Center
2201 Broadway, Suite 815
Oakland, CA 94612
888-411-3535
World Wide Web: http://www.buildingchildcare.org/index.htm
The BCC Project exists to provide a centralized clearinghouse of information and services designed to improve child care providers’ access to financial resources for facilities development projects in California. This project has built a network of information and services for people interested in acquiring, building, renovating, or expanding child care facilities. The project is funded by the California Department of Education. Publications include information on planning, predevelopment, development, start up, and other topics.
- Child Care Information Exchange
P.O. Box 2890
Redmond, WA 98073
800-221-2864
World Wide Web: http://www.ccie.com
Child Care Information Exchange is a publication that specifically focuses on the needs of child care center administrators. The Exchange frequently features articles on child care center environment and design. Exchange Press has the following materials that relate to child care center design:
- The Role of Culture in Designing Child Care Facilities—Creating Culturally Reflective Environments” (May/June 2001), by Vicki L. Stoecklin, notes that even at the schematic design phase, it is important to create children’s environments which reflect the culture, values, and traditions of the country or area where they are being located. This article reflects upon the experiences in researching and studying the culture of Doha, Qatar to create a schematic design for the model employer-supported child care facility.
- “Giving Your Building a Second Chance—Guidelines for Remodeling Your Center” (January/February 2001), by Francis Wardle, discusses factors supporting day care center remodeling, including assessment of building suitability for remodeling, documents to help in assessment, creation of a team, cost and funding, and overall design considerations.
- “Design Collaborations—Successes and Failures in Developing a Child Care Center Design” (November/December 2000), by Felice L. Silverman and Diane Driscoll, explores how thoughtful design of a child care facility enhances its safety, effectiveness, and high-quality programming, and helps reduce annual maintenance to high use areas.
- “Transforming Spaces: Rethinking the Possibilities—Turning Design Challenges into Opportunities” (January/February 2000), by Rochelle Bunnett and Diane Droll, discusses design of the physical environment for an early childhood program and provides six starting points and pertinent questions for redesigning.
- Places for Childhoods: Making Quality Happen in the Real World (1998), by Jim Greenman, demonstrates how centers can face real-world challenges and make quality care a reality. Special selections authored by recognized child care experts enhance this collection of updated articles written by Jim Greenman for Child Care Information Exchange.
- Caring Spaces, Learning Places: Children’s Environments That Work (1987), by Jim Greenman, presents additional detail on design considerations which support children’s developmental and learning needs.
For additional information, contact Jim Greenman at 612-729‑0718 or e-mail jgreenman@brighthorizons.com.
- Community Investment Collaborative for Kids (CICK)
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
501 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10018
212- 455-9800
World Wide Web: http://www.lisc.org/whatwedo/programs/cick/
CICK was created to improve the quality and expand the supply of child care in low-income communities through new investments in physical facilities. CICK works at the Federal, State, and local levels to develop sources of flexible and affordable financing to support child care facilities development in LISC program sites nationwide. CICK also provides project-specific technical assistance, resource materials, and training programs for LISC field staff, community development corporations (CDCs), and child care providers on all aspects of child care facility design, development, and finance.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
1509 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
800-424-2460
World Wide Web:http://www.naeyc.org
NAEYC is a nonprofit organization for individuals interested in early childhood care and education. The organization produces a resource catalog listing brochures, books, and videos, and has several publications available which can offer background information and detail on resources for early childhood facilities planning and design, including:
- Designs for Living and Learning: Transforming Early Childhood Environments (2003), by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter, published by Redleaf Press, available from NAEYC, offers simple and practical ideas for creative indoor and outdoor environments. The book features full-color photographs of real program settings for infants through primary grade children. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=318&Category=SPlay%20_%20Physical%20Env.
- Early Learning Environments That Work (2001), by Betty Exelby and Rebecca Isbell, published by Gryphon House and available from NAEYC, offers decorating ideas, storage tips, and organizational strategies designed to personalize and maximize workspace in a child care program. It discusses how to best utilize the environment and effectively use furniture, color, materials, storage, lighting, and more to support and encourage learning. Each chapter provides detailed illustrations and photographs to help teachers set up or rearrange their classrooms. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=158&Category=SPlay%20_%20Physical%20Env&SText=environments%20that%20work.
- Setting up for Infant/Toddler Care: Guidelines for Centers and Family Child Care Homes (1996) describes how to work with parents, keep children safe and healthy, and promote all areas of development. This resource also includes material on business aspects on setting up a program and serving children with special needs. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=228&Category=C&SText=setting%20up%20for%20infant.
- Places to Grow: The Learning Environment (1996) is a 30 minute video that focuses on the importance of the classroom environment, how the room is arranged, organization of space, scheduling of time, types of materials and equipment, and how adults interact with children. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.naeyc.org/shoppingcart/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=866&Category=C&SText=places%20to%20grow.
- “Out of the Basement: Discovering the Value of Child Care Facilities” (January 1998), in Young Children, by Carl Sussman, discusses the renovation of a space into a child care center. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.journal.naeyc.org/search/item-detail.asp?page=1&docID=1402&sesID=1111093787735.
- The National Children’s Facilities Network (NCFN)
Child Care Capital Investment Fund
18 Tremont Street, Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-5944
World Wide Web: http://www.ncfn.org/
NCFN is a coalition of nonprofit financial and technical assistance intermediaries involved in planning, developing, and financing facilities for low-income early care and education programs. The Network’s purpose is to share information on children’s facilities issues; initiate legislation and regulations affecting low-income early care and education facilities; and develop and support various financing strategies, initiatives, and programs.
- National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF)
National Institute of Building Sciences
1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
888-552-0624
World Wide Web: http://www.edfacilities.org
NCEF is a free public service that disseminates information about K-12 school planning, design, financing, construction, operations, and maintenance. NCEF’s resource list of links, books, and journal articles provide extensive resources on design guidelines, quality indicators, safety requirements, and lighting guidelines for American and international early childhood facilities. A list of resources for early childhood centers is available on the Web at http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/earlychildcenters.cfm.
- National Network for Child Care (NNCC)
World Wide Web: http://www.nncc.org
NNCC unites the expertise of many of the nation’s leading universities through the outreach system of Cooperative Extension. NNCC offers an internet source of over 1000 publications and resources related to child care. Links to articles on Child Care Center Design are available on the Web at http://cyfernet.ces.ncsu.edu/cyfdb/browse_2pageAnncc.php?subcat=Child+Care+Center+Design&search=NNCC&search_type=browse.
- Spaces for Children
1250 Addison Street, Suite 113
Berkeley, CA 94702
510-549-9980
World Wide Web: http://www.spacesforchildren.com
Spaces for Children focuses on developmentally-appropriate environments. Their expertise encompasses the overall programming and design of child care buildings, including complete architectural services, furniture, and play structure design. Their publications include:
- White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group
4036 Baltimore Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-931-1040
World Wide Web: http://www.whitehutchinson.com/
The White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group offers facility design services; planning, predevelopment, and development of child care facility services; and technical assistance and training in child care center business and financial management. Their services are available to child care centers, preschools, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs. Their publications related to designing facilities include the following:
- Benefits for Children of Play in Nature (2004), by Randy White, is available on the Web at http://www.whitehutchinson.com/cgi-bin/printer.cgi?p=/children/articles/benefits.shtml.
- The Great 35 Square Foot Myth (2003), by Randy White and Vicki Stoecklin, is available on the Web at http://www.whitehutchinson.com/children/articles/35footmyth.shtml.
- Creating Playgrounds Kids Love (2000), by Vicki L. Stoecklin, is available on the Web at http://www.whitehutchinson.com/children/articles/playgrndkidslove.shtml.
- Role of Culture in Designing Child Care Facilities (1999), by Vicki L. Stoecklin, is available on the Web at http://www.whitehutchinson.com/children/articles/childcarefacilities.shtml.
- Developmentally Appropriate Gardening for Young Children, by Vicki Stoecklin, is available on the Web at http://www.whitehutchinson.com/cgi-bin/printer.cgi?p=/children/articles/gardening.shtml.
- Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG)
World Wide Web: http://www.wbdg.org
The WBDG is a Web-based portal providing government and industry practitioners with one-stop access to up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria, and technology from a “whole buildings” perspective. The WBDG Web site is offered as an assistance to building professionals by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) through the funding of the Naval Facilities Engineering Office (NAVFAC) Criteria Office, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the Department of Energy (through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL]), and the assistance of the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC). The Web page on Child Care Facilities includes information on building attributes, emerging issues, relevant codes and standards, and major resources. This information is available on the Web at http://www.wbdg.org/design/index.php?cn=1.2.1&cx=0.
Additional Publications
- Meeting the Need: Accepting the Challenge: Developing Quality Early Education Facilities for Connecticut (March 2005), by David Wasch, Carl Sussman, and Amy Gillman, published by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation/Children’s Investment Partnership, discusses the track record of the State’s two major facility financing programs—the State Department of Education (SDE)School Construction Grant Program and the Tax-Exempt Financing Program of the Child Care Facilities Loan Fund, administered by the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) with the Department of Social Services (DSS). The focus of the study was to determine the cost and effectiveness of using these programs to create additional facilities in the State. The study’s major finding is that to address the projected need for quality facilities to serve 15,000 more children through a combination of CHEFA/DSS Tax Exempt Financing and SDE School Construction grants, an annual State appropriation of at least $17 million for 30 years is required. This is based on construction costs at the beginning of 2005. The report contains a series of recommendations to help guide and support the development of new quality facilities by expanding and strengthening the State’s two existing financing programs. Access to this resource is available on the Web at http://www.lisc.org/resources/2005/04/connecticut_7829.shtml?Social+&+Economic+Development.
- Child Care Facilities: Quality by Design (May 2004), by Tony Proscio, Carl Sussman, and Amy Gillman, published by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), describes the interaction between building design and the quality of child, offers examples of effective efforts to create superior child care facilities, and recommends further steps to bring the issue more squarely into the discussion of what both communities and children need for health, growth, and success. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.lisc.org/resources/assets/asset_upload_file269_7064.pdf.
- Child Care Center Design Guide(July 2003), published by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), contains criteria for planning and designing child care centers in GSA-owned or controlled spaces. It includes planning for space and location; site design; interior space design; furnishings and equipment; interior finishes; and technical criteria. This resource is available on the web at http://www.gsa.gov/gsa/cm_attachments/GSA_DOCUMENT/Design%20Guide_R2FD38_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf.
- Child Care Financial Planning and Facilities Development Manual (Revised 2003), by the National Economic Development and Law Center (NEDLC), addresses key components of financial planning and managing the child care facility development process. Chapter Two includes information on selecting a site, design of the interior facility and the playground, and securing a contractor. Chapter Three provides instruction on managing the site construction and ensuring the safety of the facility and the site. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.buildingchildcare.org/publications_ccc.htm#2.
- Making a Place for Children: Child Care Facility Planning Manual for Washington State (2003), by Jan Gleason and Sally Knodell, for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, is a resource for the development of a quality center serving children from infancy through school age. It offers a description of the steps to take in designing a facility, references to the published requirements, and design considerations for indoor and outdoor elements of the facility. The manual offers a general overview of program considerations. This resource is available on the Web at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/esa/dccel/facmanual.shtml.
- Aesthetic Codes in Early Childhood Classrooms: What Art Educators Can Learn from Reggio Emilia (October 2001), by Design Share, compares the messages contained in the physical environments of early childhood classrooms in Reggio Emilia, Italy with typical early childhood settings in Canada and the United States. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.designshare.com/Research/Tarr/Aesthetic_Codes_1.htm.
- Guide to ADA Accessibility: Guidelines for Play Areas (May 2001), by U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (The Access Board), is intended to help designers and operators in using the accessibility guidelines for play areas. These guidelines establish minimum accessibility requirements for newly constructed and altered play areas. It provides specifications for elements within a play area to create a general level of usability for children with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that children with disabilities are generally able to access the diversity of components provided in a play area. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.access-board.gov/play/guide/guide.pdf.
- Child Care Design Guide (2001), by Anita Rui Olds, published by McGraw-Hill, provides detailed information about the planning and design of child care centers for architects, interior designers, developers, and child care professionals. The book is organized into four parts: the child’s environment; the design process; ingredients of good design; and the functional spaces. Step-by-step explanations are provided of interior and exterior layout and design principles through case studies. It includes licensing and code requirements, operational standards and strategies, and checklists, charts and graphs. It features over 300 floor plans for infant and toddler, preschool, and afterschool spaces, plus areas for outdoor play. Additional information is available on the Web at http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0070474494.html.
- Head Start Center Design Guide for Head Start Facilities (April 2000), prepared for the Head Start Bureau (HSB), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), by the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Resource Center, contains suggested criteria for planning, designing, and renovating Head Start centers. The content is based on the U.S. General Services Administration’s Child Care Center Design Guide. The objective of this guide is to promote centers that are safe, child-oriented, developmentally appropriate, beautiful, environmentally sensitive, and functional. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.headstartinfo.org/pdf/hscenterdesignguide.pdf.
- Child Care Financial Planning and Facilities Development Manual [Centros de cuidado infantil manual para la planificación financiera y el desarrollo de instalaciones] (April 2000), by the National Economic Development and Law Center (NEDLC), addresses key components of financial planning and managing the child care facility development process. Chapter four describes the child care facility development process, including a process breakdown and the different tasks, roles, and responsibilities that must be managed in order to build a new child care facility or renovate an existing one. Chapter five presents information on financing and renovation for family child care providers, including instructions on creating a budget and financial statements and suggestions for planning a renovation project. For additional information about the English and Spanish editions, contact NEDLC at 510-251-2600 or on the Web at http://www.buildingchildcare.org/publications_ccc.htm.
- Building for the Future: A Guide to Facilities Loan Funds for Community-Based Child and Family Services (January 5, 2000), prepared for the Finance Project, is a guide for policy-makers, funders, program directors, and opinion leaders trying to expand and strengthen the system of supports and services for children and families. It provides information upon which to assess the feasibility and potential impact a specialized lending program might have on addressing the capital needs of those who deliver supports and services to children and families. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.financeproject.org/facilityfund.htm.
- Design Standards for Children’s Environments (2000), by Linda Cain Ruth, published by McGraw-Hill, addresses the design or maintenance of spaces where children are the primary users covering both commercial and residential designs and products. Part I provide anthropometric data of children from birth to age 18, offers dimensions for typical objects within the child’s built environment; synthesizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety guidelines for play areas; and provides dimensions of typical, and sometimes untypical, products that are often found in children’s environments. Part II features a source list developed for designers that lists products appropriate for use in children’s environments. Part III outlines the development of children’s abilities and perceptions in the first stages of life from birth to age 10, and offers a bibliography of the most effective and highly regarded resources in the area of children’s design.
- Facility Management Child Care Resource Book (July 1999), published by the General Services Administration (GSA), provides maintenance and operations guidelines for managing GSA child care centers within the same standards and level of a GSA operated facility. Areas covered address cleaning standards and guidelines; equipment funding and inventory; maintenance of living environments and problem areas; checklists for school safety, health, and security; designing and remodeling; and playground maintenance. Also covered are the roles and responsibilities of child care providers, and comments on operation costs and quality. Final sections address issues on fundraising such as legal considerations and steps to fundraising success. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.gsa.gov/gsa/cm_attachments/GSA_DOCUMENT/Facility%20Resource%20Book_R2E-c-oQ_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf.
- Tribal Child Care Facilities: A Guide to Construction and Renovation (2006), prepared for the Child Care Bureau, ACF, HHS, provides technical assistance in addressing major areas of the child care facility construction and renovation process, including conducting a child care community needs assessment, identifying a site, financing costs, developing a business plan, conducting an environmental assessment, building and designing a facility, and hiring contractors. A glossary of terms and resources are provided. Appendices contain a sample notice of Federal interest, a list of construction and renovation documents and deadlines, and an application of Title III (Public Accommodations) of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the Tribes. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.nccic.org/pubs/tribguid.html.
- Design of Child Care Centers and Effects of Noise on Young Children (1999), by Design Share, outlines design issues related to noise and child care centers. This resource is available on the Web at http://www.designshare.com/Research/LMaxwell/NoiseChildren.htm.
Regulations and Standards
There are no Federal regulations for early child care and education programs. Each State develops its own minimum standards for licensing early childhood programs. Standards generally address such issues as group size, adult-to-child ratio, staff qualifications, and maintaining safe and healthy environments. The following resources and publications have useful information about State standards.
- Child Care Law Center (CCLC)
221 Pine Street, Third Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-394-7144
World Wide Web: http://www.childcarelaw.org
CCLC is the only organization in the country working exclusively on the legal issues concerning the establishment and provision of child care. The Center’s major objective is to use legal tools to foster the development of quality, affordable child care programs. Established in 1978, the CCLC serves as a Statewide legal support center providing free legal training and legal services to attorneys and others who work on child care issues for low-income families throughout California. CCLC also provides legal assistance and information to nonprofit centers, family day care providers, parents, policy-makers, community and governmental agencies, unions, and employers throughout the country. In addition to its small legal staff, the Center is able to call upon attorneys who provide technical consultation and pro bono legal representation.
- Information about space requirements and other regulations for each State is available from the State office responsible for licensing of child care programs. These offices are listed under Contact Information in NCCIC’s State Profiles. This information is available on the NCCIC Web site at http://nccic.org/statedata/statepro/index.html.
- Individual States’ Child Care Licensure Regulations of the child care licensing standards for center-based child care for all 50 States and the District of Columbia is available on the Web site of the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/states.htm.
- Stepping Stones (2nd Edition) (2003)is a compilation of the standards from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs found to be most directly related to assuring the health and safety of children in group care. This resource is available on the Web at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STEPPING/index.htm.
- Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs, 2nd Edition (2002),available from the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care,addresses many health and safety concerns that arise in children’s settings, including nutrition, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, playground safety, and prevention of communicable diseases. This resource is available on the Web at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/CFOC/index.html.
