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

use. A teacher closet with a rod for hanging coats and shelving above it is
preferable. In addition to the spaces required in the classroom, discussed
below are spaces located elsewhere in the center, which provide specialized
activity settings for use by children, teachers, and parents. These areas
should not be considered part of the minimum activity square footage area
required in the classroom.
7.6.13 Multiple-Purpose and Large-Motor-Activity Spaces:
If space is available, consider providing a versatile, large, open area for
activities. Such spaces are less important where climate is temperate
enough to allow extensive use of the exterior and a play yard is available.
A multi-purpose room is mandatory where climate forces gross motor
activity, that would occur typically in a play yard, to take place indoors. The
space can also be used for group gatherings or meetings. Locating the
multi-purpose room near the kitchen and including a pass through can
increase the versatility of the room. Multiple-purpose space should be
flexible enough to offer a variety of opportunities for large motor activity.
Multi-purpose space must also be provided if adequate outdoor play yard
space is not available in the short term but should never be considered an
adequate permanent substitute for exterior play. Play equipment should
be carefully considered to ensure that it will work well within the confines of
an enclosed room which may have features, such as sprinklers and pendanthung
lighting fixtures, to be accommodated. Windows are of less importance
than in classrooms, although natural lighting from non-breakable
skylights would be highly desirable, as well as energy efficient. The space
may have movable partitions or perhaps a carpeted, raised area for dramatic
play. Acoustical treatment may be required to reduce noise level (see
Chapter 10.6).
Provide the following architectural features in the multiple-purpose area
where possible:
� High ceilings.
� Acoustical treatment on walls and ceilings, together with possible acoustical
separation between the multi-purpose and the adjoining rooms.
� Impervious flooring. If carpeted areas are desired for soft areas, they
should be provided by non-slip areas rugs.
� A hard, durable, washable surface as wall finish.
PBS-140 - July 2003
CHAPTER 7: INTERIOR SPACE DESIGN
The following architectural features and equipment are required for large
motor activities:
� Play equipment
� Protective resilient surfaces in fall zones
� Hard surface pathways for wheeled toys
� Storage for equipment and supplies
7.6.14 Sick Bay:
The sick bay, which must be able to be supervised by the director or assistant
director, is used for temporary isolation of ill children until they can be taken
home. In some locations a sick bay is required but, in fact, they appear to
be rarely used. Typically, a sick child will wait on a cot in an alcove adjacent
to the center director’s office, if state licensing allows, rather than being
secluded.
If the sick bay is a separate space, locate it adjacent to the director’s office
and near a toilet. Provide a cot or bed with a night light. This area should
have simple, pleasant, cleanable finishes, and lockable storage for first aid
supplies. A bookshelf for the storage of books and toys would be
appropriate. A view to the exterior is preferred.
7.6.15 Service Spaces:
Spaces for service areas such as kitchen, laundry (with adequate storage
and counter space for separating clean and dirty laundry), janitor’s closet,
and telephone equipment room should be located to the rear of the facility
near the service entrance, removed from children’s activities. Major food
staging and serving activities should be centralized in a kitchen area. The
service areas, in general, should not be accessible to children, although
children can be provided views of interesting activities occurring in the
kitchen. For example, it is desirable to locate the multi-purpose area near
the kitchen, which makes it easy for children to work on cooking projects
(such as making cookies and placing them on baking sheets). Such an
arrangement also provides a venue for group lunches and other gatherings.
The kitchen should be located near the pre-school classrooms since these
children are primary users of the kitchen.
7.6.16 Kitchen:
The type of food service that will be provided for the center impacts the
scope and size of the kitchen area. Reference requirements of centers
locality. If the center includes commercial kitchen equipment, a wet chemical
extinguishing system shall be installed in accordance with the requirements
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