HEAD START CENTER DESIGN GUIDE

The following Head Start Program Performance Standards, 45 CFR Part 1304, are relevant to facilities. Those cited apply to fixed, built-in environments. A summary of the official guidance is included where applicable. Where appropriate, relevant sections of this guide are cited.

Performance Standard 1304.21(a)(5)(i): (5) In center-based settings, grantee and delegate agencies must promote each child's physical development by:

(1) Providing sufficient time, indoor and outdoor space, equipment, materials and adult guidance for active play and movement that support the development of gross motor skills.

Performance Standard 1304.22(e)(6): Potties that are utilized in a center-based program must be emptied into the toilet and cleaned and disinfected after each use in a utility sink used for this purpose.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(1): (a) Head Start physical environment and facilities. (1) Grantee and delegate agencies must provide a physical environment and facilities conductive to learning and reflective of the different stages of development of each child. (See Section 4.1.2 of this guide.)

Guidance: There should be developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor environments that are safe, clean, attractive, and spacious.

Indoor environments include: Floor coverings and soft elements such as rugs and cushions; an open area on the floor allowing for the safe movement of infants and toddlers; a configuration of existing space that promotes individual and group activities; low, open shelves, which allow children to see and to select their own materials.

Outdoor environments include: A variety of surfaces, such as soil or sand for digging; hills; flat, grassy, and hard areas for wheeled toys; areas of sunlight as well as shade or portable shade equipment; a variety of equipment for riding, climbing, balancing, and digging; areas for individual and small group play.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(2): Grantee and delegate agencies must provide appropriate space for the conduct of all program activities.

Guidance: There should be doors, gates, counters, and walls to keep food preparation areas separate from other areas; cribs and cots for infants and toddlers are kept at least 3 feet apart. There should be space for children who become ill during the day and cannot be sent home; there is sufficient space for program activities and support functions, including office work, the storage of staff belongings, food preparation, janitorial services, and children and parent activities.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(3): The center space provided by the grantee and delegate agencies must be organized into functional areas that can be recognized by the children and that allow for individual activities and social interactions.

Guidance: Classrooms should be divided into functional areas, using child-sized, age-appropriate shelving; low walls; large pillows; mats; or platforms to separate the different areas. Space for preschool children and older toddlers is arranged to facilitate a variety of large group, small group, and individual program activities. Active or noisy areas are separated from inactive or quiet spaces. Activity areas are near necessary resources. (For instance, art areas are near water.)

Indoor traffic patterns should keep preschool children from running, yet enable them to move easily between areas.

Playgrounds should be laid out to ensure clearance space from walkways, buildings, and other structures, and to avoid crowding in any one area. Outdoor separate space should be provided for each type of activity - throwing or kicking balls, climbing hills, digging, and using stationary playground equipment.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(4): The indoor and outdoor space in Early Head Start or Head Start centers in use by mobile infants and toddlers must be separated from general walkways and from areas in use by preschoolers.

Guidance: Mobile infants and toddlers must be kept away from surfaces and equipment that may injure them. Carpeting should be well padded, secure, and clean.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(5): Centers must have at least 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child available for the care and use of children (i.e., exclusive of bathrooms, halls, kitchen, staff rooms, and storage places) and at least 75 square feet of usable outdoor play space per child. (See Sections 5.3.1 and 7.2.3 of this guide.)

Guidance: Indoors: cribs and cots should be at least 3 feet apart. If less than 75 square feet of accessible outdoor space is available per child, a large indoor activity room meeting the 75-square- foot room requirement-per-child should be used. This indoor space should accommodate activities performed outdoors. These interior spaces must be ventilated with fresh air when windows cannot be opened.

An adjoining or nearby school yard, park, or playground that is safe, clean, and provides drinking water and toilet facilities may be provided in lieu of on-site outdoor play area.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(6): Facilities owned or operated by Early Head Start and Head Start grantee or delegate agencies must meet the licensing requirements of 45 CFR 1306.30. (See Section 4.3 of this guide.)

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(7): Grantee and delegate agencies must provide for the maintenance, repair, safety, and security of all Early Head Start and Head Start facilities, materials, and equipment.

Guidance: Outdoor play areas must be free of broken glass, stones, sharp objects, standing water, poisonous plants, brush or high grass, and ice and snow accumulations. There should be a system to monitor entry into the building. Staff should check the facility regularly for damage or other conditions that present hazard to children (e.g., plumbing, electrical, structural problems). Leases and rental agreements should specify the landlord's responsibilities for maintenance and repairs. A facility that is unsafe, unclean, or otherwise in disrepair will be suspended from use.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(8): Grantee and delegate agencies must provide a center-based environment free of toxins, such as cigarette smoke, lead, pesticides, herbicides, and other air pollutants as well as soil and water contaminants.

Guidance: The facility must work with health officials to determine inspections that are conducted for environmental hazards such as asbestos, radon, and formaldehyde. Inspection and removal of any environmental or health hazards should be by certified or licensed contractors.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(9): Outdoor play areas at center-based programs must be arranged so as to prevent any child from leaving the premises and getting into unsafe and unsupervised areas. En-route to play areas, children must not be exposed to vehicular traffic without supervision.

Guidance: Streets crossed should be clearly marked by traffic lights and have marked crosswalks. Fences or other physical barriers should be installed to separate the outdoor play areas from vehicular traffic and other dangers. Fences and other physical barriers should be high enough and constructed well enough to prevent children from exiting the area. When a rooftop is used as a play area, it should be enclosed with a fence that is high enough to prevent falls and constructed of materials that can prevent children from climbing the fence. The rooftop must have an approved fire escape. Bus loading and unloading areas must be safely configured.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10): (10)Grantee and delegate agencies must conduct a safety inspection, at least annually, to ensure that each facility's space, light, ventilation, heat, and other physical arrangements are consistent with the health, safety, and developmental needs of children. (See Section 4.1.8 of this guide.)

Guidance: Fire prevention measures (e.g., absence of flammable materials, presence of currently inspected and fully charged fire extinguishers, smoke detectors with working batteries, exits, and evacuation routes) must be in use. Painted surfaces must be lead-free. Inspections should be conducted of playground equipment and surfaces, electrical outlets, water supply, toilets and hand-washing facilities, diaper and changing areas, ventilation and air quality, and sewage and waste disposal systems. Adaptations to the facility must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(i): In climates where such systems are necessary, there is a safe and effective heating and cooling system that is insulated to protect children and staff from potential burns.

Guidance: Safe cooling and heating systems should be checked by staff or by other appropriate professionals to ensure that tribal, state, and local laws are followed. Heating and cooling units should be vented properly. Radiators, hot water pipes, and similar equipment should be screened or insulated to prevent burns and other injuries. Heating units, including baseboard heaters hotter than 110 degrees Fahrenheit, should be inaccessible to children. Electric space heaters that are UL-approved should be placed in locations inaccessible to children and at least 3 feet from curtains, papers, and furniture. These heaters also should have protective coverings to prevent injury. Portable open-flame and kerosene space heaters and portable gas stoves may not be used. Electric fans must be inaccessible to children. Heating and ventilating equipment should be professionally inspected annually, or immediately after there is a concern or malfunction. An inspection should verify that the equipment is properly installed, cleaned, and maintained.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(ii): No highly flammable furnishings, decorations, or materials that emit highly toxic fumes when burned are used.

Guidance: Agencies are to follow state, tribal, and local licensing regulations and the guidelines of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the flammability of materials, furnishings, and equipment.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(iii): - Flammable and other dangerous materials and potential poisons are stored in locked cabinets or storage facilities separate from stored medications and food and are accessible only by authorized persons. All medications including those required for staff and volunteers are labeled, stored under lock and key, refrigerated if necessary, and kept out of the reach of children.

Guidance: Cleaning materials, detergents, aerosol cans, pesticides, medications, poisons, chemicals used in lawn-care treatments, and other toxic materials should be stored in their original containers and entirely separated from food and out of children's reach. Medications must be under lock and key, have child-protective caps, labels, and be stored away from food at the proper temperature.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(iv): - Rooms are well lit and provide emergency lighting in the case of power failure.

Guidance: Test emergency lighting regularly. Light fixtures should contain shielded or shatterproof bulbs. The facility should not have sodium or mercury vapor lamps since they produce toxic fumes. In case of power failure, electrical and circuit breaker panels are to be readily accessible to authorized adults and the circuits clearly labeled. Lights used in places where infants look at the ceiling should not be unnecessarily harsh, bright, or glaring.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(v) - (v): Approved working fire extinguishers are readily available.

Guidance: Agencies should support fire prevention by:

• Determining the size, type, placement, and number of fire extinguishers to be installed by consulting with the fire marshal or an insurance company fire loss prevention representative, and by examining local building and fire codes.
• Placing fire extinguishers in accessible locations and making staff aware of their precise locations.
• Providing staff with training on how to use fire extinguishers and posting instructions for their use on or near the extinguishers themselves.
• Servicing fire extinguishers annually and tagging them with the service date.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(vi): An appropriate number of smoke detectors are installed and tested regularly.

Guidance: Smoke detectors are to be placed throughout the facility, no more than 40 feet apart, and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Smoke detectors and evacuation procedures are to be tested monthly. Smoke detectors are to be replaced annually. The facility should comply with all smoke detection requirements in state, tribal, or local building codes and should conduct installation and testing of the fire alarm system as prescribed by state, tribal, or local licensing requirements.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(vii): Exits are clearly visible and evacuation routes are clearly marked and posted so that the path to safety outside is unmistakable.

Guidance: Agencies should ensure the safe evacuation from the facility by following the recommendations of the National Fire protection Agency (NFPA) including the suggestion that exits have a minimum width of 36 inches. Exits must be unobstructed and not padlocked or chained shut during program hours. All exit doors are to operate easily and open outward. Entrance and exit routes should be examined and approved by local fire authorities and clearly marked. Monthly fire and evacuation drills should be conducted. The facility should have enough evacuation cribs and strollers available to evacuate infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities who cannot walk on their own, and smooth ramps on which evacuation cribs and strollers can be wheeled. There are to be at least two exits on each floor of a building, each of which leads to an open space at ground level.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(viii): Indoor and outdoor premises are cleaned daily and kept free of undesirable and hazardous materials and conditions.

Guidance: There are to be outward-opening, self-closing doors, closed windows, screening and curtains, and any other effective means to prevent entrance of flies or other airborne insects. Basement windows used for ventilation and all other openings to a basement or cellar should not permit the entry of rodents. Each foundation, floor, wall, ceiling, roof, window, exterior door, basement, cellar hatchway or other opening is to be free from cracks and holes. Trash and garbage containers are to be placed in designated areas. Play areas should not provide shelter or a breeding ground for pests.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(ix): Paint coatings on both interior and exterior premises used for the care of children do not contain hazardous quantities of lead.

Guidance: Qualified professional assistance should be obtained for testing surfaces (exterior and Interior) painted prior to 1978 for lead levels of 0.06 percent or more. If professional inspection reveals paint with excessive lead levels, agencies are to obtain qualified professional assistance in removing lead-contaminated paint, or the area is to be refinished with lead-free, encapsulant paint or other locally approved, nontoxic materials. Sanding, scraping, or burning of high lead surfaces should be strictly prohibited, and the agency is to ensure that no paint containing hazardous quantities is ever used. Products containing lead are to be replaced immediately.

Agencies with concerns about lead paint should seek the assistance of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorities.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(x): The selection, layout, and maintenance of playground equipment and surfaces minimize the possibility of injury to children.

Guidance: Playgrounds and playground equipment is to be designed, installed, inspected, and maintained with the children's safety in mind so that equipment does not pose the threat of serious falls and will not pinch, crush, or entrap the head or any part of a child's body or clothing. All playground equipment is to be installed in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions over shock-absorbing materials, and equipment is to be securely anchored to the ground. The agency is to consult the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to insure proper surfaces surrounding playground equipment and to verify if any recalls of equipment have occurred. Equipment is to be situated so that the clearance space allocated to one piece of equipment does not encroach on that allocated for another piece of equipment. Moving equipment, such as swings, is to be located toward the edge or corner of a play area, or the space is to be designed in another way to protect children from running into the path of the equipment.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(xi): - Electrical outlets accessible to children prevent shock through the use of child-resistant covers, the installation of child protection outlets, or the use of safety plugs.

Guidance: Agencies are to prevent shocks by insuring that all electrical equipment and appliances are properly grounded, and that all electrical cords are in good condition and placed out of the reach of children. All electrical outlets are to be covered with child-resistant safety covers, unless childproof electrical outlets are installed.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(xii): Windows and glass doors are constructed, adapted, or adjusted to prevent injury to children.

Guidance: Windows and glass door panels in rooms used by children are to have safety guards (e.g., rails or mesh), or are to be constructed of safety-grade glass or polymer. Windows that can be opened are to be equipped with childproof devices that do not block natural light, and screened when open so children cannot pass through the windows or become stuck in any way. All glass doors are to be marked with opaque tape or other materials..

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(xiii): Only sources of water approved by the local or state health authority are used.

Guidance: Agencies are to ensure that their facilities are supplied with piped running water that is under correct pressure and from a source approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or by the state, tribal, or local health authority, and that provides an adequate water supply to every available fixture. When water is supplied by well or other private source, the agency is to ensure that it meets all applicable federal, state, tribal, and local health standards, and that it is approved by the local health department or its designee. The agency is to keep documentation of water supply approval on file.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(xiv): Toilets and hand-washing facilities are adequate, clean, in good repair, and easily reached by children. Toileting and diapering areas must be separated from areas used for cooking, eating, or children's activities.

Guidance: Agencies are to ensure that the following guidelines are met:

• Accessible toilets and sinks are to be provided at a ratio of roughly 1 to 10 for toddlers and preschool children. A maximum toilet height of 11 inches and a maximum hand sink height of 22 inches are recommended. (Step stools or low platforms are used where toilets or hand-washing facilities are too high.)
• Every toilet room door is to be easily opened by children from the inside and the outside.
• A hand-washing sink is to be accessible to each classroom and group of infants.
  
• Utility sinks are to be used for rinsing soiled clothing or for cleaning toilet training equipment.
• A separate sink is provided for washing and sanitizing mops and cleaning equipment.
  
• Diapering areas are not to be located in dental hygiene or food preparation areas and are never to be used for the temporary placement or serving of food.
  
• Diapering areas are to be separate from adult bathrooms.
  
• Changing tables should have impervious, nonabsorbent, clean surfaces, and be sturdy, at an appropriate height for adults to work at when standing, and equipped with railings.
  
• Storage areas are to be close to or within diapering areas for clean diapers, wipes, gloves, and other supplies.
  
• Hand-washing sinks are to be adjacent to the diaper changing tables.
  

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(xv): Toilet training equipment is provided for children being toilet trained.

Guidance: Child-sized toilets, safe step aids that can be sanitized, and modified toilet seats (where there are only adult-sized toilets) should be used in all facilities. If child-sized toilets, step-aids, or modified toilet seats cannot be used, potty chairs that are easily sanitized are to be provided for toddlers, preschoolers, and children with disabilities who require them. Hand-washing sinks must be located nearby.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(xvi): All sewage and liquid waste is disposed of through a locally approved sewer system, and garbage and trash are stored in a safe and sanitary manner.

Guidance: Waste is to be kept away from children's indoor and outdoor activity areas used for storage and preparation of food. Raw or treated wastes are not to be discharged on ground surfaces.

Performance Standard 1304.53(a)(10)(xvii): Adequate provisions are made for children with disabilities to ensure their safety, comfort, and participation. (See Section 4.1.2 of this guide.)

Guidance: The facility is to be accessible to persons with disabilities by making accommodations such as ramps and railings, wider pathways, and wheel-chair-accessible toilets, sinks, and drinking fountains. The physical environment is to be maintained in a consistent and stable manner for children with visual or hearing problems. Appropriate space is to be provided for children who may require individual therapy or activities.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1): Grantee and delegate agency must provide and arrange sufficient equipment, toys, materials, and furniture to meet the needs and facilitate the participation of children and adults.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1)(i): Equipment, materials, and furniture are supportive of the specific educational objectives of the program:

Guidance: (If fixed) A variety of climbing structures and steps as well as other structures that are safe for exploration are provided.

In outdoor environments, a variety of materials are provided as well as equipment and structures for climbing, riding, pushing, pulling, and digging. Materials should be offered that extend indoor activities to the outdoors.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1)(ii): Equipment, materials and furniture are supportive of the cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the children.

Guidance: Materials used should demonstrate acceptance of each child's gender, family, race, language, and culture. Environments should be established and maintained to support the culture of the children. The outdoor area safely should utilize the natural environment, adding culturally relevant structures and materials when possible.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1)(iii): Equipment, materials, and furniture are age-appropriate, safe, and supportive of the abilities and developmental level of each child served, with adaptations if necessary for children with disabilities.

Guidance: All federally assisted programs, including Head Start, must be accessible to persons with disabilities, including staff, parents, and children. This does not mean that every building or part of a building must be physically accessible, but the program services as a whole must be accessible. Structural changes to make program services available are required if alternatives, such as reassignment of classes or moving to different rooms, are not possible. For nonverbal children, communication boards, computers, and other assistive technology devices may be helpful. Surfaces are to ensure safety of children with disabilities and promote their learning. Staff are to ensure that children with physical disabilities have chairs and other pieces of furniture of the correct size and type for their individual needs as they grow.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1)(iv): Equipment, materials, and furniture are accessible, attractive, and inviting to children.

Guidance: Learning materials are to be easily accessible on low shelves that children can explore by themselves. Materials are to have interesting shapes, textures, and colors that invite play, exploration, and learning. Equipment and furniture is to be child-sized, age-appropriate, and adaptable for children's use. Equipment and materials should be selected and designed to give children choices.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1)(v): Head Start equipment, materials, and furniture are designed to provide a variety of learning experiences and to encourage each child to experiment and explore.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1)(vi): Head Start equipment, materials, and furniture are safe, durable, and kept in good condition.

Performance Standard 1304.53(b)(1)(vii): Head Start equipment is stored in a safe and orderly fashion when not in use.

Guidance: Each activity area is to have its own storage space. As much space as possible should be reserved for children's use by storing materials in locations not to be used by children. Children must not be able to pull over bookcases and shelves. Outdoor equipment is to be stored in a shed or other enclosed storage space to protect these items and to keep the outdoor area free from clutter.