ABSTRACT
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 654 Impact of the Physical Environment ................................................................................ 655
Learning ....................................................................................................................... 655 Health and Safety ........................................................................................................ 657
Environmental Considerations ......................................................................................... 658 General Design Requirements ........................................................................................ 658
Accessibility ................................................................................................................. 658 Safety ........................................................................................................................... 658 Noise ............................................................................................................................ 658 Lighting ........................................................................................................................ 659 Crowding ..................................................................................................................... 659 Indoor Air Quality ......................................................................................................... 661 Anthropometric Standards ........................................................................................... 664 Disabilities .................................................................................................................... 665
Caregivers ....................................................................................................................... 666 Detailed Design According to Age ................................................................................. 666
Infants: Ages 0 to 18 Months ....................................................................................... 667 Toys, Play Materials, and Equipment ....................................................................... 667 Furniture ................................................................................................................... 668 Sleeping ................................................................................................................ 668 Diaper Changing .................................................................................................. 669 Feeding .................................................................................................................... 670 Social Interaction ...................................................................................................... 671 Safety ....................................................................................................................... 671 Flooring .................................................................................................................... 672 Walls ......................................................................................................................... 672 Doors ........................................................................................................................ 673
Windows ................................................................................................................... 674 Storage ..................................................................................................................... 675 Lighting .................................................................................................................... 676
Toddlers-Ages 18 to 36 Months ................................................................................ 676 Toys, Play Materials, and Equipment ....................................................................... 677 Furniture ................................................................................................................... 677 Sleeping ................................................................................................................ 677 Table Activities ..................................................................................................... 677 Toileting .................................................................................................................... 678 Flooring .................................................................................................................... 679 Walls ......................................................................................................................... 679 Doors ........................................................................................................................ 679 Windows ................................................................................................................... 680 Storage ..................................................................................................................... 680 Lighting .................................................................................................................... 680
Preschoolers-Ages 36 to 60 Months ......................................................................... 680 Toys, Play Materials, and Equipment ....................................................................... 681 Furniture and Arrangement ...................................................................................... 682 Toileting .................................................................................................................... 684 Flooring .................................................................................................................... 684 Walls ......................................................................................................................... 684 Doors ........................................................................................................................ 685 Windows ................................................................................................................... 685 Storage ..................................................................................................................... 685 Lighting .................................................................................................................... 686
Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 686 References ...................................................................................................................... 686
Additional References ................................................................................................. 687
INTRODUCTION
Parents from every nation need assistance with caring for their preschool-age children. In situations where both parents work, the need is especially great. Approximately 13 million children in the United States under the age of 6 are in some form of nonparental care for at least some of the day (CPSC, 1999). This includes nearly 3.7 million children who attend day-care centers, Head Start, and nursery school programs.
