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3 Key Internal and External Spaces
- Key Internal and Associated External Spaces: Overall Design Issues
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- Internal Spaces for Children
- Overarching features: integrated, playful and multisensory spaces
- Overarching features: flexible spaces for movement and active play
- Overarching features: design for all children
- Design features for children under 12 months
- Design features for children aged 1 to 2-years
- Design features for children aged 2 to 3 and aged 3 to 5 years
- Design features for children aged 6 to 14 years
- Design features for sleep and rest
- Children’s toilets
- Nappy changing areas
- Outdoor clothing and footwear changing areas
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- External Spaces and the Outdoors
- Overall Design considerations and awareness
- Creating a relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces
- Covered outdoor spaces
- Outdoor spaces: designing for all children
- Outdoor spaces: designing for infants and toddlers
- Outdoor spaces: roof terraces and balconies
- Outdoor spaces: outdoor toilets or direct access to toilets
- External storage of outdoor toys and materials
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- Key Internal and Associated External Spaces: Overall Design Issues
-
- Internal Spaces for Children
- Overarching features: integrated, playful and multisensory spaces
- Overarching features: flexible spaces for movement and active play
- Overarching features: design for all children
- Design features for children under 12 months
- Design features for children aged 1 to 2-years
- Design features for children aged 2 to 3 and aged 3 to 5 years
- Design features for children aged 6 to 14 years
- Design features for sleep and rest
- Children’s toilets
- Nappy changing areas
- Outdoor clothing and footwear changing areas
-
- External Spaces and the Outdoors
- Overall Design considerations and awareness
- Creating a relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces
- Covered outdoor spaces
- Outdoor spaces: designing for all children
- Outdoor spaces: designing for infants and toddlers
- Outdoor spaces: roof terraces and balconies
- Outdoor spaces: outdoor toilets or direct access to toilets
- External storage of outdoor toys and materials
Laundry and Utility
Design considerations and awareness
Laundry and utility areas are an essential part of ELC settings and will typically contain a washing machine, dryer, or airing cupboard. An area for cleaning equipment and products may be included in this room or be stored in a separate room. The cleaning area should contain a large sink and draining board, a lockable storage area, and a low-level sluicing sink.
The laundry and utility should not be accessible to children and it should be separate from the kitchen or food preparation area.
Universal Design Guidance
- Ensure laundry and utility areas are lockable and inaccessible to children.
- Ensure all appliances are accessible and usable for a person with sensory, physical or cognitive difficulties.
- Provide adequate space to allow people with physical challenges, a pregnant mother, or a person with mobility aids to comfortably and safely use the space.
