Key Internal and Associated External Spaces: Overall Design Issues
Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings contain a variety of internal and external areas that range from infant spaces up to school-age childcare spaces for older children. Depending on the size of the setting, it may also include staff rooms and offices, family rooms, toilets, and other ancillary areas. In all cases the children’s spaces should form the heart of the setting to be connected and integrated within the whole setting. Outdoor space is a crucial element, and should be designed in tandem with the internal layout to ensure a good relationship between inside and outside and direct access for children to nature and the outdoors.
When designing or retrofitting internal and external ELC spaces consider the Key Design Issues as framed by the selected Síolta Standards
(See Introduction page 16):
Provide spaces that enable choice and encourage active participation.
Design accessible, supportive and inclusive spaces for the children’s families.
Provide spaces that encourage positive interactions between children, families and staff.
Design indoor and outdoor spaces that promote movement, play, creativity and exploration.
Provide flexible spaces that support the role of practitioner as environmental planner and evaluator, while also providing areas for reflection, study and quiet work.
Provide welcoming, accessible settings that form strong community connection while also increasing visibility and interaction between the setting and the community.
