PBS 140 Child Care Center Design Guide - The Whole Building ...

management policies affecting center development, standards with which
design and operations must comply, and the GSA goals and objectives for
center design and operation.
Chapter 3: Children and Adults in the Center. The chapter identifies
those who use the center and how they tend to utilize it. A discussion of
children’s basic developmental needs and activities for each age group,
and how these needs and activities impact the design of the center, is also
included.
Chapter 4: NAEYC and Other Standards. The NAEYC criteria for operational
programs, including child group sizes and staff-child ratios, are
summarized.
Chapter 5: Planning for Space and Location. The chapter describes
criteria used in selecting a center location together with planning and programming
space requirements, as well as example space programs for
various center populations.
Chapter 6: Site Design. Concepts and criteria for site design and design
of play yards are provided. The general types of outdoor areas and the
relationships of these areas to other outdoor and indoor spaces are described.
Detailed criteria for materials, features, furnishings, and equipment
required in these spaces are given.
Chapter 7: Interior Space Design. The chapter provides concepts and
criteria for the design of the interior spaces within a child care center. Major
types of spaces include entry and circulation, staff, classroom, common,
and service spaces.
Chapter 8: Furnishings and Equipment. General criteria regarding furnishings
and equipment for the center, including references to applicable
codes and regulations, are provided in this chapter. At the end of the chapter,
there is a list of the furnishings and equipment that may be provided by
the Federal Government as part of the baseline provisions.
Chapter 9: Interior Finishes. The chapter provides a consolidated discussion
of finishes required in child care centers, establishes the baseline
finishes, and discusses acceptable options.
PBS-140 - July 2003
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE GUIDE
Chapter 10: Technical Criteria. This chapter includes technical criteria
and identifies the pertinent regulations which will apply to the Guide.
Appendices: Appendix A provides additional technical information on
metric conversion. Appendix B provides listings of appropriate plantings in
the vicinity of child care centers. See Appendix C for the GSA Office of Child
Care and Regional telephone and mailing information. Appendix D includes
two “Design Checklists” designed for use by designers of new facilities and
for those assessing existing centers. Appendix E provides additional information
on providing a healthful indoor and outdoor environment. Appendix F
provides accessibility standards. Appendix G provides information on playground
solicitation requirements.
Index: The index provides the page number locations of subject categories
and specific terms contained within the Guide.
1.5 Glossary of Terms
Actual Floor Area (AFA) - The square meters required as measured from
the inside of partitions, doors, and glazing. AFA includes area required for
built-in case goods, fixtures, and equipment. (See Table1.1 on page 1-5)
ADAAG - Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines.
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) - The organization
that develops standards and provides related information on characteristics
and performance of materials, products, systems, and services.
Architectural (or Facility) Program - A written and sometimes graphic
document that specifies the architectural requirements that the building
design must satisfy.
Board of Directors - A group, ideally of 7-11 individuals, with diverse professional
backgrounds and skills to support the selection and oversight of a
private center service provider. The board should be a non-profit corporation
tasked with fund-raising and distribution of tuition assistance. Boards coordinate
closely with GSA’s Regional Child Care Coordinators.
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