CHAPTER 3: ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE CENTER
An easy means of displaying children's art projects at children's level.
3.2 Staff
3.2.2 Administrators:
Also referred to as directors, these individuals are responsible for managing
3.2.1 Teachers:
the center, supervising the teaching staff, and communicating with parents,
Teachers care for and supervise the children. In a quality program, they
boards of directors and the GSA Regional Child Care offices. In small
promote learning and developmental activities through a curriculum
centers, the administrator may also assume a teaching role for part of the
designed for stimulation and development. Curriculum activities occur not
day. In large centers, the director will usually have a secretary or assistant
only in classrooms, but in play yards, multiple-purpose spaces, and on
to help with the administrative workload. The needs of the Center
excursions outside the center. Teachers are responsible for the children
Administrator can be met by providing:
while at the center, including greeting them and their parent when they
An optimal amount of visibility, particularly to easily observe those ap-
arrive. Teachers ensure that only authorized individuals pick up the children
proaching and entering the facility.
at the end of the day.
Locked space for personal belongings.
An adequately sized office with room for a desk, an office chair, at least
Teachers also prepare curriculum materials and projects for the children
two visitor chairs, filing cabinets, space for equipment (unless it is lo-
and confer with the parents and administrators. Teachers need time away
cated elsewhere) including a personal computer, printer, copier and fax
from their classroom in a separate lounge, which may double as a workroom.
machine.
They need adequate storage areas, not only for curriculum materials and
supplies, but also to lock up their personal effects. Because their job is
If provider personnel, including the administrator, are consulted during
demanding, the designer should focus on creating organized arrangements
design, their input about work flow, filing and equipment needs can be very
so that teachers may focus more easily on the children. This is one of the
valuable. However, the designer should be aware that the provider works
core challenges in designing a center. The design can facilitate the needs
under a GSA license. The provider, in effect, is the tenant and GSA is the
of teachers by providing:
owner or controller of the space. Therefore, provider's guidance should
Ample elevated wall hung storage (above children's level but also located
not be interpreted as a directive, especially when it contradicts elements of
to avoid the possibility of adults striking their heads on it). All elevated
this Guide or the direction of GSA personnel charged with control of the
storage should be designed to avoid the possibility of items inadvertently
space.
falling on children below.
Elevated electrical outlets for equipment such as audio devices. (There
3.2.3 Service Personnel:
should also be CD and tape storage.) Locations should be coordinated
Centers require food, laundry, janitorial service, delivery, waste and refuse
with the RCCC and with the provider (if possible).
removal, and general maintenance services. The design must provide
Planning and designing the center so that location of outlets is conve-
space and controlled access for personnel or contractors performing these
nient to elevated electronic equipment.
services.
Conveniently located, accessible adult toilet(s), complying with ADAAG.
Convenient storage for teachers' outer garments and items such as boots,
Some of the centers located in GSA-owned or controlled space purchase
etc.
catered food service, but the baseline facility should contain an in-house
A comfortable and private place to confer with parents.
preparation kitchen with heavy-duty equipment and a cooking staff.
A resource room where teaching materials and equipment can be stored
in an orderly and highly visible fashion.
Laundry services will typically be performed by the teaching staff. Infants
Locked space to store personal belongings.
and toddlers generally use disposable diapers provided by parents. All
A comfortable lounge which teachers can use for breaks, lunches, and to
soiled diapers are contained and processed separately from other waste
prepare teaching plans and materials.
Adequate shelving or counter space for teachers to display teaching ma-
terials within the center.
PBS-140 - July 2003
3-2
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