HEAD START CENTER DESIGN GUIDE

10.10 Lighting

Well-considered lighting for each activity area is a key element in creating a home-like environment. The quality of light should remind children of a residential environment. Use broad ambient lighting for large-muscle activity spaces. Task lighting is important for manipulative activities. Lower light levels are needed for quiet and sleeping areas.

GSA suggests that the amount and orientation of natural light should be considered in the design. Variation in light levels up to a maximum of 500 lx should be acceptable in rooms with poor natural lighting capability. See Table 10.2 for the minimum suggested light levels for various functions. In addition the following should be provided:

• Use 500 lux (lx) on children's work surface for reading and close work.
• Use 250 lx ambient light for class and play areas, with additional task lighting up to 500 lx provided where appropriate.
• Ensure that light is capable of being dimmed in a range of 500 lx to 50 lx for sleeping and napping areas.
• Use 100 lx in stairs and corridors.
• Install dimmable light fixtures in classrooms and nap rooms.

Light levels in all rooms, including sleeping rooms, should be maintained at a sufficient level to allow observation of the space from adjoining spaces. Lighting should be used to emphasize areas, designate boundaries, create an environment, or support a certain activity.

When using fluorescent lighting, electronic ballast light fixtures are recommended. Their high-frequency cycles avoid perceptible flickering and allow dimming. Fluorescent lamps should have a color temperature of 4,100 degrees Kelvin with the highest possible color-rendering index (CRI). Minimum CRI should be 80 or greater. This is of paramount importance to the center's environmental quality. If there is adequate ceiling height, the better quality of reflected, ambient lighting from pendants or recesses is strongly preferred to troffer-style downlight fluorescent fixtures.

With reflected light, children, who are at a far lower vantage point than adults, will not look directly into the light source -- a cause of glare and eye fatigue. If troffer use is unavoidable, a specular finish and parabolic louver are recommended. Provide dimmable lighting in infant sleep areas and in all the classrooms. Task lights, such as those provided by residential-type pendant fixtures, should be used for reading, painting, and close work.

It is advisable to design for variety in lighting, using devices such as dimming controls, separate switching, adjustable directional fixtures, and pendant fixtures positioned over work areas. Consider using specialized lighting to display artwork, pools of light to create excitement and variety, and high levels of light to encourage physical activity. Provide food preparation areas with fixtures that have shielded or shatterproof bulbs.

Light entering from the exterior can be controlled with adjustable blinds, shades, or other types of window coverings. Window treatments on interior windows should allow clear visibility.

It is wise to ensure that there is adequate exterior lighting on a building to allow safe exterior circulation and site security.

All lamps should have shatterproof lenses or covers.

Table 10.2: Lighting Requirements

Space	Natural Light	Lighting (in lux (lx))
Vestibule	View	250-350
Reception	View	250-350
Main Circulation	blank	100-350
Director's Office	View	500
Sick Bay	blank	300 - 500 (dimmable)
Staff Lounge	View	500 (dimmable)
Parent/Teacher Conference	blank	500 (dimmable)
Adult Toilet	blank	150 - 250
Central Storage	blank	250 - 350
Laundry	blank	300 - 400
Kitchen	blank	300 - 500
Janitor's Closet	blank	300 - 400
Telephone Closet	blank	400 - 500
Multipurpose Space	blank	blank
Play Area	blank	300 - 500
Meeting Area	blank	300 - 500 (dimmable)
Play Yard Storage	blank	300 - 500
Infant Activity Area	Natural Light	250 - 500 (quiet areas dimmable)
Toddler Activity Area	Natural Light	300 - 1000 (quiet areas dimmable)
Pre-Schooler Activity Area	Natural Light	300 - 1000 (quiet areas dimmable)
School-Age Activity Area	Natural Light	300 - 1000 (quiet areas dimmable)
Cubby Storage Area/Locker	blank	300 - 500
Food Preparation	blank	300 - 500
Eating	Natural Light	300 - 500
Children's Art Sink	Natural Light	500 - 1000 (dimmable)
Sleeping/Crib/Napping	blank	50 - 500 (dimmable)
Diapering Station	blank	300 - 500
Children's Toilet	blank	300 - 500
Children's Hand-washing Sink	blank	300 - 500
Children's Private Toilet	blank	300 - 500