The Design and Development Phase of a Childcare Centre
This article looks at the importance of appropriate and compliant design.
Design
Mistakes made at this phase can be very costly to correct. It is vital to use care and attention to detail to avoid this.
Buildings need to be designed for the purpose as there are many details you will need to have correct to achieve a service approval. The building must meet BCA certification codes and meet specific requirements for additional safety and regulatory requirements. Many architects are not familiar with these. It is often a case of “they don’t know what they don’t know”
If the building is a multi-story project, you have additional regulations to meet. These relate to the safety of children in emergency situations or in case of a necessary evacuation. This aspect of the project will impact many elements of operation, including how you deploy age groups in the building. The Department of Education takes this issue very seriously so you will be checked on all aspects of this matter.
It is well worth engaging a childcare consultant to work with your architect/designer to save time and money in the long run. Your centre will not achieve an operating license if specific requirements are not correctly addressed. Retrofits cost time and money, so plan and build well in the first instance.
Design Considerations
Orientation of your land
Drainage and safe removal of water and waste
Positions of entry and egress points to comply with traffic flow expectations of council
Provision of appropriately sized spaces for car parks, buildings and outdoor play space
The number of car park spaces required by the council
Access and safety rules
Utility areas and other areas required to establish and maintain hygiene and safety rules
Appropriately sized indoor, verandah and outdoor play areas with the correct adult and child furniture, equipment and facilities
Spaces designed to optimise visual supervision, whilst being respectful of children’s right to privacy in some areas
Spaces that are naturally well lit and fresh, yet also soothing and calm for young children, and suitable to meet the various rest time needs of all groups of children
Storage – there is NEVER enough storage (or the right kind of storage) planned in childcare centres as any childcare team member will happily tell you
Understanding of the flow of movement in each age group and how each space is used by the staff each day – what do they need at hand and how often?
Non-public spaces used to support programs offered in the centre – meeting rooms, staff rooms, research and prep areas, archive spaces and so on
Perimeter considerations such as appropriate and safe fencing, outdoor fixed equipment, shade and other elements needed to meet compliance expectations
Natural light and fresh airflow throughout the building to ensure young children's developing brains are given the best support possible
Tempered water at the appropriate places and hot/cold water provided
Understanding of the kinds of materials and surface finishes required to meet the legislation needs of the development
If food is cooked on-site, a range of requirements must be addressed to achieve a commercial kitchen license to operate
Landscaping will be required to beautify and complete the design. There are specific rules about how this looks, what it may include and how far it encroaches into the block of land. This must be included in the design with planting specified prior to approval being granted
An ability to build in eco-friendly elements where possible to meet sustainability requirements
This non-exhaustive list provides an indication of the level of detail required to create a compliant centre. Again, it is worth engaging a consultant who is familiar with the detailed requirements of this sector to ensure your project is not delayed by costly corrections. If your building is not correct, it will not achieve service approval. You will not be able to open for business until all details have been corrected and addressed.
The design phase is the time to get it right. Engaging an experienced design team who understand the compliance requirement of Childcare Centres legislation will be the best decision you can make.