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

CHAPTER 8:
FURNISHINGS AND
EQUIPMENT
This chapter provides general criteria regarding furnishings
and equipment for the center, including references to applicable
codes and regulations. At the end of the chapter is a list
of the furnishings and equipment that may be provided by the
Federal Government as part of the baseline provisions.
8.1 General Criteria
General criteria recommended by NAEYC for furnishings and equipment
are as follows:
� Age appropriate.
� Sufficient quantity.
� Sufficient variety.
� Durable.
� Readily accessible.
Additional general criteria for center furnishings and equipment are listed
below:
� Child-scale for child use.
� Adult-scale for adult use.
� Safe.
� Able to be easily cleaned.
� Adaptable, flexible, movable.
� Dual purpose, where appropriate.
� Stackable/hangable, if possible.
� Do not convey an institutional impression.
� Soft and “cushy,” where appropriate.
� Optimize the use of natural materials. Furnishings should contain
minimal amounts of formaldehyde and other chemicals which may affect
children (particularly those with allergies).
� Texture rich.
� Calm, soothing, coordinated color schemes.
PBS-140 - July 2003
CHAPTER 8: FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT
Furnishings and equipment within the center shall meet all applicable codes
and standards. Where synthetic materials are used, use products made
with recycled content, avoid finishes with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) content
to the extent possible. The following have established criteria pertaining to
play equipment for all age groups of children which must be referenced.
� Consumer Product Safety Commission
� American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for Juvenile Products
(1487-1-F 15.29, F1292-99,F1951-99,F2049-00, 36 CFR Part 1191)
Below is a reference list of ASTM requirements specific to a child care
center. Refer to the most recent standards.
� Chairs with high sides or foam nests for infant feeding - ASTM F-404
� Cribs - ASTM F-966 and ASTM F-1169
� Carriages/strollers - ASTM F-833
� Gates/enclosures - ASTM F-1004
� Hook-on chairs - ASTM F1235
� Toy safety - ASTM F-963
Evacuation cribs are required for all infants and, depending on local licensing,
for young toddler groups (typically one for every four children). These special
cribs must be of durable construction, be narrow enough to pass through a
915 mm door, and have sturdy caster wheels (approximately 100 mm in
diameter) which allow one person to easily roll the cribs over different indoor/
outdoor surfaces. The evacuation crib must have the capability of supporting
and transporting a minimum of four 18-month-old children weighing a total of
55 kg. The evacuation cribs will be placed closest to the exit in the sleeping
rooms. They also function as a standard sleeping crib.
8.1.1 Storage:
Adequate storage space which is easily accessible and near-at-hand, must
be provided for items such as carriages and strollers, wheeled toys, and
cots or mats for pre-school classrooms. In the initial design process, the
designer should elicit the number and approximate size of anticipated
equipment that will need to be stored.
Storage within the classrooms should be of adequate amount to allow the
classroom to appear uncluttered when occupied and should meet functional
needs. A combination of low open shelving, baskets, drawers, cabinets
with doors, boxes, chests, hooks that do not present a hazard, adult height
shelves, wall-hung cabinets, storage bags, buckets, crates, and bins may
be utilized.
8-1