HEAD START CENTER DESIGN GUIDE

6.2 Entry and Circulation

The standard for entrances, parking, service, and security are addressed below.

6.2.1 Entry Approach

Best practice indicates that the design of the center should incorporate a point of reference or landmark that serves as a welcome and a transition. The center entrance should be separated from the main entrances to the building and from service areas, unless the center is housed in a multi-purpose facility. A transition, such as a porch, could be at the main entry. This might be combined with a covered walkway, for instance, to connect with short-term parking and protect arriving children and parents from inclement weather.

In cold climates, there should be a canopy or recess at exit doors to ensure that doors can completely open without obstruction from snow and ice. Drop-off areas should be arranged so that a child and adult may exit the vehicle from the pedestrian side and proceed directly to the center without crossing traffic, or crossing in front of or behind vehicles.

6.2.2 Parking

Short-term parking should be provided for parents bringing their children to the center. There also should be accommodation for the disabled to park in this area. Enough parking spaces are needed to allow parents time for brief conversations with teachers.

Short-term parking for the center should be separated from other tenant parking and as close to the center as possible. Best practice indicates that the arrangement should minimize the risk to pedestrians and allow safe flow of vehicles.

As the site configuration and location allow, the employee parking spaces should be as close to the center as possible for ease of access and for safety. This will be particularly important in winter months when staff members may be required to leave the center after dark. Ideally, an unobstructed line of sight should be provided between the interior of the center director's office through the center entrance and into the short-term parking area.

The parking should never be arranged in a way that forces children or persons in wheelchairs to proceed behind parked cars. Walkways in front of vehicles must be protected by tire guards, bollards, or some other means to prevent any portion of a vehicle from advancing into the walkway. In addition, parking should be located away from busy intersections or vehicle circulation routes.

For emergency purposes, at least one parking space should be provided as near to the center entrance as possible. Disabled employees should be accommodated with one or more properly sized parking spaces as near the center as possible.

6.2.3 Service

Centers that will occupy part of an existing building will typically make use of that building's dock space and service access. In some situations, a center must provide its own service access, though a complete dock may not be necessary.

Note that each center should have a minimum of two egress points, and at least one should be designated as a service entry and be separate from the main entry. Service access for sanitation removal, food and supply delivery, and small van deliveries, if these are not provided by the main building, should be separated from short-term and staff parking. Likewise, a sanitation dumpster with screening may be necessary, if the main building does not provide one. Two service parking spaces may be desirable to avoid conflicts in deliveries.

6.2.4 Security

Best practice indicates that the center should be separated from public areas by buffer zones. Buffer zones are useful because they offer the center staff the time to observe individuals as they approach the center. In addition, they help shield children from unwanted wind, noise, and other disruptions. The center location and local conditions may necessitate the use of fences and screens to block views from outside the center. These should be sensitively designed to enhance the way the center relates to its context.