Child care by design : a handbook for the planning and design of child care centers in Massachusetts

190 Pages·1993·7.4 MB·English

by  Massachusetts. Division of Capital Planning and Operations. Office of Programming

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A
handbookfor the planning and design
of Child Care Centers in Massachusetts
A
Publication ofthe
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Administration and Finance
Division of Capital Planning and Operations
Office of Programming
Published by the Office of the Secretary of State,
$7.85
Michael Joseph Connolly, Secretary
^3/337

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Division of Capital Planning and Operations
Gordon B. King, Acting Commissioner
Office of Programming
Chris Pilkington, Director
Brian McMorrow, Deputy Director
Cathy Ries Neal, Child Care Project Director
Archetype Architecture, Inc.
Joel Bargmann, AIA, Principal
Amir Degany, Technical Coordinator
&
Thomas J. Wallinga, Design Production
Schreiber Associates, Landscape Architecture Consultant
Rick Swartz Communications, Editing Consultant
Special Thanks to thefollowing individuals who
enthusiastically provided their time and energy
in supporting thisproject:
Fran Barrett, Director
Group Day Care Licensing, Massachusetts Office for Children
Lucy Hudson, Project Director
Massachusetts Trial Court Child Care Project
Lisa Monahan, Architect
Mav
Pardee, Partner
Mills and Pardee, Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts
May, 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forward
Introduction
DETERMINING THE NEED FOR A
Chapter
1
CHILD CARE CENTER
Determining the Need
Child Care Survey Form
PLANNING A NEW CHILD CARE
Chapter 2
CENTER
Establishing Ratios
Number of Children in a Center
Area Requirements Per Child
CODE & REGULATORY
Chapter 3
REQUIREMENTS
Overview ofCode Requirements
Checklist ofCodes and Regulations
Sample CodeAnalysis
LicensingofChild Care Centers
SELECTING OR PLANNING AN
Chapter 4
APPROPRIATE SITE
Space Selection
BuildingSurvey Checklist
DESIGN OF THE OUTDOOR PLAY AREA
Chapter 5
Guidelines for Play Area Design
THE PROTOTYPES
Chapter 6
The Basic Prototype
Examples ofPrototypical Child Care Centers
ProgramArea Chart
Prototype Variations
Prototypical Outdoor Play Area Plans
Table ofContents
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ESTIMATING COSTS
Chapter 7
Development Costs
Construction Costs
Furniture and Equipment Costs
Outdoor Play Area Costs
OutdoorPlay Area Elements: Cost Range
Operational Costs
Project CostEstimate Worksheet
OutdoorPlay Area CostEstimate Worksheet
Operational CostEstimate Worksheet
ROOM
DATA SHEETS
Chapter 8
Gross Motor Room
After School Room
Preschool Activity Area
Toddler Acdvity Area
Toddler Diapering Area
Infant Acdvity Area
Infant Diapering Area
Infant Napping Area
Kitchen
Laundry/Storage
Administration Office
Director's Office 8c Sick Bay
Adult Toilets
Children's Toilets
Entrance Lobby
Storage Rooms
Custodial Area
Mechanical/Electrical
Site and Building Access
Outdoor PlayArea
Exterior Storage Shed
Access to Remote Outdoor PlayArea
Table of Contents

FORWARD
Whatis the best arrangementforchild care? Child care centers can provide
an appropriate setting for the care of young children. Elements of a
successful center include a well-trained staff, a curriculum which respects
every child and an affordable program in a convenient location.
Identifying an appropriate site, and designing and constructing a physical
environment which is stimulating yet secure, is equally fundamental to
qualitychild care. As the state agency responsible for planning, design, and
constructionofstatefacilities, the MassachusettsDivision ofCapitalPlanning
andOperations (DCPO) isastrongadvocateforchildcare,andbelievesitcan
contribute to the discussion.
DCPO has a longstanding commitment to quality design in child care
facilities. In 1987, the agencyfirstprinted a handbook initially intended for
use in planning on-site centers at state institutions. Since that year, the
document has been revised often to reflect changes in building codes and
design standards, and as we learn more about the unique needs ofchildren
being cared for in centers. The handbook has proven a useful resource for
the private and well as the public sector.
This edition of the Child Care Handbook is the culmination of earlier
editions. As such, it offers a thoughtful presentation for all the parents,
providers, employers, and design professionals involved in the critical pro-
cessofcreatingchildcare. In addition toprovidingthe latestinformation on
the planning and design requirements for centers, this edition offers guide-
lines for outdoor play areas, a comprehensive review of the latest code
requirements, and a discussion ofconstruction costs.
DCPO is committed to the importance of quality child care for the
Commonwealth's youngest citizens. It is our hope that this publication will
be valuable to those who share our goals.
Cathy Ries Neal
Child CareProject Director
May 1993
Forward