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HEAD START CENTER DESIGN GUIDE

Table of Contents | Chapter: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Appendix: A | B | C | D | Selected References

Chapter 5: Planning the Location and Space

Sections: 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.10 | Table 5.1 | Table 5.2 | Table 5.3 | Table 5.4

5.10 Example Space Programs

The following GSA tables provide examples of space requirements for classroom and non-classroom space for centers with enrollment capacities of 74, 94, and 148 children, respectively. GSA arrived at these suggested space requirements after consultation with child care experts. Some room sizes, including classroom sizes, clearly exceed Head Start's minimum requirements, but should be considered when designing Head Start child care centers. Of course, designers should adjust the OFA and AFA to the anticipated enrollment capacity for specific projects.

 

Table 5.1 Example Space Program for 74 Children
Space Title Unit Size AFA Unit Size OFA Total OFA
Staff and Parent Areas Actual Floor Area
Occupiable Floor Area
Public Area
Vestibule .5 sq. ft. AFA /Child 49.5 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft.
Reception 1 sq. ft. AFA/child +25% 89.3 sq. ft.
Staff Area
Director's Office 1.7 sq. ft. AFA/Child 164.6 sq. ft. 164.6 sq. ft.
Sick Bay (If Required) .5 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 49.5 sq. ft.
Staff Lounge/Work 2 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 189.4 sq. ft.
Parent/Staff Conference 1.5 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 140 sq. ft.
Adult Toilet . 76 sq. ft. AFA/Child 12.4 sq. ft. 62.4 sq. ft.
Central Storage 1.5 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 140 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Staff and Parent Areas   11.9 sq. ft. OFA/Child 884.5 sq. ft
Service Areas
Laundry 1 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 89.3 sq. ft.
Warming/Central Kitchen 3 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 178.7 sq. ft.
Janitor's Closet AFA/Child +25% 49.5 sq. ft.
Telephone Closet AFA/Child 10 sq. ft. 10 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Service Area   5.7 sq. ft. OFA/Child 427.5 sq. ft.
Common Spaces Multi-purpose/Large Motor Activity, optional, but required in areas of the country with more than 36 inches of annual precipitation or temperatures below 39° F as a normal January daytime high temperature. Should be sized for 20 children minimum.   37.7 sq. ft. OFA/Child 236.3 sq. ft.
Play yard storage   2 sq. ft. OFA/Child 151.7 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Common Spaces   12.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child 905 sq. ft.
Classrooms      
Infant Areas Classroom of 8 Infants   107.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child 860.8 sq. ft.
Young Toddler Areas Classroom of 12 Younger Toddlers   90.4 sq. ft. OFA/Child 1,086.8 sq. ft.
Older Toddler Areas Classroom of 14 Older Toddlers   79.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child 1114.7 sq. ft.
Pre-School Areas Classroom of 20 Pre-School Children   75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child 1,506.4 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Classroom Spaces OFA/Child   82 sq. ft. OFA/Child 6075 sq. ft.
Total Center OFA   82 sq. ft. OFA/Child 8,291.7 sq. ft.*
  ( 102.2 sq. ft. OFA/Child ) ( 7,538.5 sq. ft.**)
Exterior covered area, where possible
* with multipurpose room included
** without multipurpose room

Table 5.2 Example Space Program for 94 Children
Space Title Unit Size AFA Unit Size OFA Total OFA
Staff and Parent Areas Actual Floor Area
Occupiable Floor Area
Public Area
      Vestibule
     Reception
 .5 sq. ft. AFA/Child
1 sq. ft. AFA/Child 		62.4 sq. ft.
+25% 		62.4 sq. ft.
114 sq. ft.
Staff Area
     Director's Office
     Assistant's Workstation (In Centers over 80 Children) 		1.7 sq. ft. AFA/Child
.86 sq. ft. AFA/Child 		208.7 sq. ft.
100 sq. ft. 		208.7 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft.
Sick Bay (If Required) 79.6 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 100 sq. ft.
Staff Lounge/Work
     Parent/Staff Conference		 2 sq. ft. AFA/Child
1.5 sq. ft. AFA/Child 		+25%
+25% 		240 sq. ft.
177.5 sq. ft.
Adult Toilet .65 sq. ft. AFA/Child 79.6 sq. ft.  
Central Storage 1.5 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 177.5 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Staff and Parent Areas
12.9 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,260 sq. ft.
blank
Service Areas
Laundry 1 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 114 sq. ft.
Warming/Central Kitchen 3 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 354 sq. ft.
Janitor's Closet 10. 8 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 100 sq. ft.
Telephone Closet 8 sq. ft. AFA/Child 10 sq. ft. 10 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Service Areas
6.13 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 579.2 sq. ft.
blank
Common Spaces
Multi-purpose/Large Motor Activity, optional, but required in areas of the country with more than 36 inches of annual precipitation or temperatures below 39° F as a normal January daytime high temperature. Should be sized for 20 children minimum.
37.7 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 236.3 sq. ft.
Play yard storage
2 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 192.6 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Common Spaces
10 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 945.8 sq. ft.
Classrooms
Infant Areas
     Classroom of 8 Infants
107.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child
860.8 sq. ft.
Young Toddler Areas
     Classroom of 12 Younger Toddlers
90.4 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,086.8 sq. ft.
Older Toddler Areas
     Classroom of 14 Older Toddlers
79.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1114.7 sq. ft.
Pre-School Areas
     Classroom of 20 Pre-School Children
75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,506.4 sq. ft.
After-School Areas
     Classroom of 20 After-School Children
75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,506.4 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Classroom Spaces OFA/Child
75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child
7581.5 sq. ft.
Total Center OFA
111.9 sq. ft. OFA/Child
102.2 sq. ft. OFA/Child

10,3651 sq. ft. (multipurpose)
9,611.9 sq.ft. (no multipurpose)

 
Exterior cover area, where possible

753. sq. ft.

 

Table 5.3 Example Space Program for 148 Children
Space Title Unit Size AFA Unit Size OFA Total OFA
Staff and Parent Areas Actual Floor Area
Occupiable Floor Area
Public Area
     Vestibule
     Reception
 .5 sq. ft. AFA/Child
0.09 sq. ft. AFA/Child 		79.6 sq. ft.
+25% 		79.6 sq. ft.
79.6 sq. ft.
Staff Area
     Director's Office
     Assistant's Workstation (In Centers over 80 Children) 		1.7 sq. ft. AFA/Child
79.6 sq. ft. AFA/Child 		329.3 sq. ft.
100 sq. ft. 		329.3 sq. ft.
100 sq. ft.
Sick Bay (If Required) 79.6 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 100 sq. ft.
Staff Lounge/Work
     Parent/Staff Conference		 2 sq. ft. AFA/Child
1.5 sq. ft. AFA/Child 		+25%
+25% 		378.8 sq. ft.
278.7 sq. ft.
Adult Toilet .65 sq. ft. AFA/Child 120.5 sq. ft. 120.5 sq. ft.
Central Storage 1.5 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 278.5 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Staff and Parent Areas
11.8 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,845.34 sq. ft.
blank
Service Areas
Laundry 1 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 179.7 sq. ft.
Warming/Central Kitchen 3 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 557.4 sq. ft.
Janitor's Closet 10. 8 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 100 sq. ft.
Telephone Closet .11 sq. ft. AFA/Child 10 sq. ft. 10 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Service Areas
6.13 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 911.4 sq. ft.
blank
Common Spaces
Multi-purpose/Large Motor Activity, optional, but required in areas of the country with more than 36 inches of annual precipitation or temperatures below 39° F as a normal January daytime high temperature. Should be sized for 20 children minimum.
37.7 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 1,506.4 sq. ft.
Play yard storage
2 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 302.4 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Common Spaces
12.9 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 1,808.8 sq. ft.
Classrooms
Infant Areas
     Classroom of 8 Infants
107.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child
860.8 sq. ft.
Young Toddler Areas
     Classroom of 12 Younger Toddlers
90.4 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,086.8 sq. ft.
Older Toddler Areas
     Classroom of 14 Older Toddlers
79.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1114.7 sq. ft.
Pre-School Areas
     Classroom of 20 Pre-School Children
75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,506.4 sq. ft.
After-School Areas
     Classroom of 20 After-School Children
75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child
1,506.4 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Classroom Spaces OFA/Child
82.1 sq. ft. OFA/Child
12,150.2 sq. ft.
Total Center OFA
111.9 sq. ft. OFA/Child
107.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child

16,645.7 sq. ft. (multipurpose)
15,892.5 sq.ft. (no multipurpose)
Exterior cover area, where possible

153.2 sq. ft.
Table 5.4 Example Classroom Spaces
Space Title Unit Size AFA Unit Size OFA Total OFA
Infant Areas
Classroom of 8 infants
Activity Area .57 sq. ft. AFA/Infant +25% 247 sq. ft.
Support Areas
Cubby Storage 6 sq. ft. AFA/Infant +25% 60.3 sq. ft.
Food Preparation 3 sq. ft. 37.6 sq. ft. 37. 6 sq. ft.
Eating/Table Area 39.8 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft.
Nursing 20 sq. ft. 24.7 sq. ft. 24.7 sq. ft.
Sleeping 29.7 sq. ft. AFA/Infant +25% 300.2 sq. ft.
Diapering Station & Storage 39.8 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft.
Adult Toilet 49.5 sq. ft. 62.4 sq. ft. 62.4 sq. ft.
Storage 3 sq. ft. AFA/Infant +25% 30.1 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Infant Areas
107.6 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 860.8 sq. ft.
blank
Younger Toddler Areas
Classroom of 12 Younger Toddlers
Activity Area 45.1 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 677.9 sq. ft.
Support Areas
Cubby Storage 6 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 90.4 sq. ft.
Food Preparation 30.1 sq. ft. 37.6 sq. ft. 37. 6 sq. ft.
Napping 44.1 sq. ft. 54.9 sq. ft. 54.9 sq. ft.
Hand washing Sink 20 sq. ft. AFA/Sink 50.6 sq. ft. 50.6 sq. ft. (2 sinks)
Toddler Toilet 30.1 sq. ft. AFA/Toilet 75.3 sq. ft. 75.3 sq. ft. (2 toilets)
Diapering Station & Storage 39.8 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft.
Storage 39.8 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 45.2 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Younger Toddler Areas
90.4 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 1,084.6 sq. ft.
blank
Older Toddler Areas
Classroom of 14 Older Toddlers
Activity Area 45.1 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 809.1 sq. ft.
Support Areas
Cubby Storage 6 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 104.4 sq. ft.
Children's Art Sink 20 sq. ft. 24.7 sq. ft. 24.7 sq. ft.
Children's Hand washing Sink 20 sq. ft. AFA/Sink 50.6 sq. ft. 50.6 sq. ft. (2 sinks)
Children's Toilet 30.1 sq. ft. AFA/Toilet 75.3 sq. ft. 75.3 sq. ft. (2 toilets)
Diapering Station & Storage 39.8 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft. 49.5 sq. ft.
Storage 3 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 52.7 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Older Toddler Areas
82.9 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 1,084.6 sq. ft.
blank
Pre-School Areas
Classroom of 20 Pre-School Children
Activity Area 45.1 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 1,129.8 sq. ft.
Support Areas
Cubby Storage 6 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 150.6 sq. ft.
Children's Art Sink 20 sq. ft. 24.7 sq. ft. 24.7 sq. ft.
Children's Hand washing Sink 20 sq. ft. AFA/Sink 50.6 sq. ft. 50.6 sq. ft. (2 sinks)
Children's Toilet 30.1 sq. ft. AFA/Toilet 75.3 sq. ft. 75.3 sq. ft. (2 toilets)
Storage 3 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 75.3 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for Pre-School
75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 1,506.4 sq. ft.
blank
After-School Areas
Classroom of 20 After-School Children
Activity Area 45.1 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 1,129.8 sq. ft.
Support Areas
Lockers 6 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 150.6 sq. ft.
Children's Art Sink 20 sq. ft. 26.9 sq. ft. 25.8 sq. ft.
Boys Toilet with Sinks 49.5 sq. ft. AFA/Sink 62.4 sq. ft. 62.4 sq. ft.
Girls Toilet with Sinks 49.5 sq. ft. AFA/Toilet 62.4 sq. ft. 62.4 sq. ft.
Storage 3 sq. ft. AFA/Child +25% 75.3 sq. ft.
Sub-Totals for After-School
75.3 sq. ft. OFA/Child
 1,506.4 sq. ft.

Go back to Section 5.9 Go forward to Chapter 6

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