Classroom Space
- Classrooms serving toddlers and preschool age children will ideally need to have appropriately sized toilets within the classroom space. There needs to be at least one toilet and sink for every 16 children if serving infants, toddlers or preschoolers. For programs that services only school age children, there needs to be one toilet and sink for every 25. Bathrooms must mechanically ventilate to the outdoors.
- Classrooms for infants and toddlers will need separate sinks to accommodate food prep and hand washing for diapering.
- Classrooms for preschool age children will need low sinks for the children and higher sinks for adult use.
- DPH regulations state that infants and toddlers can be in groups of no more than 8 children while preschool and school age children can be in groups of no more than 20. There must be at least one adult for every 4 infants/toddlers and there must be at least one adult for every 10 preschool or school age children.
- Classrooms for any age group need:
- Adequate natural lighting
- Space/storage for personal belongings
- Floor surfacing appropriate for messy activities as well as carpeted areas for comfort and softness
- Ventilation and climate control
- Space for parent’s use
- Space that is easily supervised (no hidden areas)
- Separate areas for different types of activities (quiet/noisy, messy/neat, etc)
- Materials displayed at child height, easily accessible by children, and organized to promote independent use
- An atmosphere that is not visually over stimulating
- Adequate storage for equipment and supplies
------------------------------
Continue to:
|
