CHAPTER 7: INTERIOR SPACE DESIGN
use. A teacher closet with a rod for hanging coats and shelving above it is
The following architectural features and equipment are required for large
preferable. In addition to the spaces required in the classroom, discussed
motor activities:
below are spaces located elsewhere in the center, which provide specialized
Play equipment
activity settings for use by children, teachers, and parents. These areas
Protective resilient surfaces in fall zones
should not be considered part of the minimum activity square footage area
Hard surface pathways for wheeled toys
required in the classroom.
Storage for equipment and supplies
7.6.13 Multiple-Purpose and Large-Motor-Activity Spaces:
7.6.14 Sick Bay:
If space is available, consider providing a versatile, large, open area for
The sick bay, which must be able to be supervised by the director or assistant
activities. Such spaces are less important where climate is temperate
director, is used for temporary isolation of ill children until they can be taken
enough to allow extensive use of the exterior and a play yard is available.
home. In some locations a sick bay is required but, in fact, they appear to
A multi-purpose room is mandatory where climate forces gross motor
be rarely used. Typically, a sick child will wait on a cot in an alcove adjacent
activity, that would occur typically in a play yard, to take place indoors. The
to the center director's office, if state licensing allows, rather than being
space can also be used for group gatherings or meetings. Locating the
secluded.
multi-purpose room near the kitchen and including a pass through can
increase the versatility of the room. Multiple-purpose space should be
If the sick bay is a separate space, locate it adjacent to the director's office
flexible enough to offer a variety of opportunities for large motor activity.
and near a toilet. Provide a cot or bed with a night light. This area should
Multi-purpose space must also be provided if adequate outdoor play yard
have simple, pleasant, cleanable finishes, and lockable storage for first aid
space is not available in the short term but should never be considered an
supplies. A bookshelf for the storage of books and toys would be
adequate permanent substitute for exterior play. Play equipment should
appropriate. A view to the exterior is preferred.
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 pendant-
7.6.15 Service Spaces:
hung lighting fixtures, to be accommodated. Windows are of less import-
Spaces for service areas such as kitchen, laundry (with adequate storage
ance than in classrooms, although natural lighting from non-breakable
and counter space for separating clean and dirty laundry), janitor's closet,
skylights would be highly desirable, as well as energy efficient. The space
and telephone equipment room should be located to the rear of the facility
may have movable partitions or perhaps a carpeted, raised area for dramatic
near the service entrance, removed from children's activities. Major food
play. Acoustical treatment may be required to reduce noise level (see
staging and serving activities should be centralized in a kitchen area. The
Chapter 10.6).
service areas, in general, should not be accessible to children, although
children can be provided views of interesting activities occurring in the
Provide the following architectural features in the multiple-purpose area
kitchen. For example, it is desirable to locate the multi-purpose area near
where possible:
the kitchen, which makes it easy for children to work on cooking projects
High ceilings.
(such as making cookies and placing them on baking sheets). Such an
Acoustical treatment on walls and ceilings, together with possible acous-
arrangement also provides a venue for group lunches and other gatherings.
tical separation between the multi-purpose and the adjoining rooms.
The kitchen should be located near the pre-school classrooms since these
Impervious flooring. If carpeted areas are desired for soft areas, they
children are primary users of the kitchen.
should be provided by non-slip areas rugs.
7.6.16 Kitchen:
A hard, durable, washable surface as wall finish.
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
PBS-140 - July 2003
7-19
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