Taking care of toddlers is no easy feat, and when you make it your business, it becomes even more challenging. Children need a space devoted to the needs of their age group, including education, hygiene, and play. New daycare construction or refurbishing an existing building is more involved than many realize, and it’s important to take time planning before you begin.

 

Law of the Land

A daycare facility can’t even open its doors if it doesn’t meet local and federal construction guidelines. As with any major construction, check with the permit department in your town to determine what regulations need to be followed before you begin designing any floor plans. Specific items to look out for include the following:

• Indoor/outdoor lighting
• Handicap parking
• American Disabilities Act compliance
• Secure entrances and ample exits
• Occupancy limitations

You may want to ask for copies of any pertinent statutes or regulations. As you design your building, keep all local, state, and federal requirements in mind.

 

Proper Planning for Daycare Floor Plans

Whether remodeling or commencing new daycare construction, having a cohesive daycare floor plan will help determine not only the flow of your space but the best order in which to build it. Keep the scope of your business in mind. If the daycare plans to house after-school programs, it helps to provide dedicated space for older children.

Creating office spaces and public areas separate from play and educational rooms will keep children away from locations they shouldn’t be entering. Your floor plan will give contractors a good idea of which areas need more time to construct. View our pre-contraction planning services page for more details on how we can help.

 

Sourcing Sustainably

One of the key factors in building child care facilities is sustainability. Play equipment, children’s furniture, and construction materials must be able to handle the rigors of daily learning and play for extended amounts of time. Keep in mind that surfaces should be able to handle daily use and cleaning without accumulating too much wear and tear.

In addition, energy efficiency and air quality control are important factors to consider. Because of their smaller size, children are affected by environmental concerns more than adults. Understanding how building materials age will help prevent accidental exposure to possibly harmful substances years down the road.

While any major building projects have their issues, daycare facilities have peculiarities all their own. When choosing a contractor to help finalize plans, make sure you choose a business that knows the regulations and grasps other intricacies of your project. Tech 24 Construction understands the value of providing children with the space they need to learn and grow and is ready to help you with any of your childcare construction needs.