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

Academy of Early Childhood Programs. This is a division of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Receipt of
accreditation entails approximately one year if the center “passes” at the
first opportunity. Accreditation is defined by the Accreditation Criteria and
Procedures of the National Association for the Education of Young Children
published by the NAEYC.
Refer to Chapter 4 of the Guide for more information. Child care centers
must also comply with State and local licensing regulations and any other
applicable standards before opening.
The initial stages of the project are the most valuable for the inclusion of
sustainable features. See Appendix E for this information.
2.4 GSA’s Authority
United States Code 40, Section 590 (formerly 490b) gives Federal agencies
the authority to establish child care centers in Federal facilities. This
is sometimes referred to as the “Trible Amendment.”
The Child Care Program of GSA is responsible for the following:
� Policy clarification on issues which impact child care centers in GSA
space. In addition, GSA compiles data on child care centers and execution
of the programs’ policies. Through its design reviews, the physical
status of a center is measured against the baseline set forth in this Guide.
The purpose is long-term budgeting for the nationwide program to establish
a “master plan” that brings all centers to a minimum level established
in the Guide.
� Resources and training to Regional Child Care Coordinators and Property
Managers and the national child care community.
� Periodic training events for regional program coordinators, center staff,
providers, governing boards, and agency representatives, as well as
provision of training materials.
� Special projects and publications on new initiatives and policies.
� Sponsorship of the Interagency Task Force on Federal Child Care.
� Consultation on Planning, Concept Design Review and final approval for
center design concept. In order to expedite the design process and to
help ensure that the final outcome meets national program objectives,
the facilities expertise of GSA’s Office of Child Care must be involved in
the design and planning process at the earliest stages. When a Prospectus
Development Study (PDS) is initiated, for instance, which GSA’s
PBS-140 - July 2003
CHAPTER 2: MISSION, GOALS, ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY
Portfolio Management Division has determined will involve a new or
expanded child care center, GSA’s Office of Child Care must be involved.
It is at the planning stage that the important budgeting decisions are made.
The planning process recommends allotment of funds for components and
features which, while having a higher first cost, will lower the life cycle
costs of the center. Unless these are considered at the initial planning
stages before actual design begins, the budget will rarely be adequate to
ensure their incorporation. When that happens, the Government has missed
an opportunity for long-term savings.
When the Regional Child Care Center Coordinator (RCCC) recommends
approval of the design concept, working drawings for the project may proceed.
The Office of Child Care must also review the drawings as the details
are developed (typically at the 50-60 % level of completion) to ensure
that the level of detail is congruent with the objectives of the Design Guide
and the Program.
GSA has a network of 11 RCCC’s (see Appendix C for telephone numbers
and addresses) who deliver the following services:
� Provide guidance, assistance, and oversight to Federal agencies during
the development and operations of child care centers.
� Provide program review, and oversee licensing compliance.
� Provide on-going technical assistance and resources to governing boards,
organizing committees, and Federal agencies, as well as, (indirectly) to
child care center directors and providers.
2.5 Center Management
GSA does not directly operate GSA child care centers. GSA grants authority
for the day-to-day management of the center either to a Board of Directors
or to a private provider. These entities use Federal space to operate
the child care center under a revocable license agreement, which includes
a series of special conditions.
The principle management model and the parties involved are as follows:
The Board of Directors (which is not a GSA entity) contracts with private
sector providers. Variations of this model may exist, depending upon circumstances.
For instance, the sponsoring agency may obtain the license
and contract directly with the provider. GSA has a Board of Director’s
Manual which can be obtained, together with other information, through
the RCCC.
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