Building standards and physical environment considerations

​​The design and layout of an early childhood education and care environment significantly impacts the delivery of education and care programs and practices. When planning a new service, there are a number of building and design requirements to consider.

Building design and standards

As early in the planning and design stage as possible, factors specific to the individual layout of the premises and facilities should be considered in consultation with the architect, developer, planner and building practitioner.

The approved provider's certifier or relevant building practitioner is responsible for assessing physical building work, including alterations or repairs, against the Building Code of Australia (BCA), available through the Australian Building Codes Board website. Approved providers should engage early with their building practitioners about the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations (National Regulations) for a proposed development, building works or any building code issues.

Standards relevant to education and care services as outlined in the BCA include:

• kitchen facilities
• bath, shower-bath, showers
• laundry facilities
• bench-type baby bath
• number of toilets and hand basins
• window sill heights
• fencing and barriers.

Physical environment considerations

Approved providers must ensure that their service premises meet the physical environment requirements under National Regulations 84A and 103-117, including:

• sleep and rest (regulations 84A-C)
• premises, furniture, materials and equipment (regulations 103 and 105)
• fencing (regulation 104)
• laundry and hygiene facilities (regulation 106)
• unencumbered indoor and outdoor space (regulations 107 and 108)
• toilet and hygiene facilities (regulation 109)
• ventilation and natural light (regulation 110)
• administrative space (regulation 111)
• nappy change facilities (regulation 112)
• outdoor space—natural environment and shade (regulations 113 and 114)
• premises design for supervising children (regulation 115)
• glass (regulation 117) (family day care services only).

They must also consider the National Quality Standard, in particular quality area 3—physical environment.

To assist approved providers, the Regulatory Authority has prepared the following guidance for designing the physical environment. This is not an exhaustive or prescriptive list of considerations. Approved providers need to seek expert advice from their architect and building certifier to ensure all relevant building standards, codes and standards, as well as the requirements under the National Regulations, are met.

Fall risk areas

Fall risk areas are those where there is a risk of children falling from built areas above ground level and on natural, unimproved land where there is a sudden drop in height, including:

• decks, balconies and verandahs
• mezzanine floors
• openable windows without secure screens
• stairways, ramps and access pathways to buildings including retaining walls
• children's outdoor playground structures, such as forts.

Although the Building Code of Australia has balustrade and stair design requirements, under the National Law, approved providers must ensure balustrades and stairs at a building's entries and exits are safe and suitable for children. This includes child-height handrails installed at any entry, exit and emergency evacuation stairs, and a balustrade of a design and height that children cannot climb or fall over.

The Regulatory Authority recommends a minimum 1.8m balustrade height in areas regularly used by children. A 1.5m balustrade may be sufficient for areas children only use in emergencies (e.g. fire evacuation stairs), but approved providers should follow evacuation procedures (e.g. additional staff supporting children to use the stairs).

Barriers including balustrades, handrails, guardrails, infills and window protection devices such as security screens may prevent children from falls and injuries. When selecting 1, consider:

• the height from decks (including those on outdoor play structures), balconies, verandahs, mezzanine floors and windows to ground level (e.g. whether a potential fall of 4 metres requires a different barrier compared with a 1 metre fall risk)
• whether the design prevents climbing (e.g. whether it has non-climbable arcs outwards from the top of the balustrade and no footholds)
• how to safely use furniture and play equipment on decks, balconies, verandahs and mezzanine floors (e.g. whether children can move play equipment and climb over the barrier)
• ensuring adequate staff supervision of children, particularly in areas above ground level
• installing a second, lower handrail for extra stability and support for children in stairways but 1 that does not create a ladder
• installing protection devices such as security screens on openable windows in external walls where there is a significant drop to ground level and where the window opening is at a climbable height for children.

Fencing for outdoor spaces

When choosing a fencing option, all approved providers should consider:

• children must not be able to climb the fence using footholds in situations where, for example
• the design of the fence allows it to be used as a ladder
• objects, such as play equipment, have been placed against the fence or attached to it
• a tree stump or branch is located in such a way that it could be used to climb the fence.
• ongoing safety checks of fences and barriers should form part of the risk assessment developed by the approved providers and used by the educators
• approved providers are encouraged to regularly review the design and maintenance of all boundary fencing
• if an educator fails to adequately supervise the children, those preschool-aged and younger should not be able to leave the premises unaccompanied or undetected
• the excursions and regular outings provisions are not to be used as substitutes for accessing an outdoor space at premises where the fence does not comply with regulatory requirements
• although safety is paramount, fencing should also allow children to view the outside world, where possible, to connect them with the activities of their surrounds.

Approved providers of centre-based services should consider other applicable legislation, building codes and standards. For example, the Building Code of Australia specifies fencing requirements that must be provided around an outdoor play space in an early childhood centre. The code's definition of an early childhood centre excludes education and care primarily provided to school-aged children in outside school hours settings.

In assessing the adequacy and ongoing maintenance of the fence, approved providers of family day care services should consider:

• some fencing material may present a specific climbing risk unless physical adjustments are made to it or access is denied to it, e.g. flexible chain wire, rigid wire mesh or horizontal slats
• in some cases, a fence made from chain wire or rigid wire mesh may not pose a risk because children are unable to access it. This may be because
• dense vegetation is planted so closely to the fence and is of such a height that children cannot access the fence or use the vegetation as a platform to climb
• the chain wire may be covered with tightly fitted material in such a way that a child could not use the gaps in the wire to gain a foothold. In this case, the condition of the material would need to be checked regularly to ensure it is kept taut and in good repair so that it continues to prevent children from climbing the fence.

Read the factsheet—fencing requirements at a family day care residence for more information.

Premises design for supervising children

Approved providers should consider the following.

Children's toilet and hygiene areas

• Toilets, hand-washing and drying facilities should be located where children can safely and quickly access them from indoor and outdoor play areas.
• For children under school age, windows should be installed at heights that enable adult supervision, while maintaining the children's dignity.

Nappy change facilities

• Any nappy change facilities should be designed and located so that staff can view the entire children's activity areas while changing a nappy.
• A gate or half-door should be installed with child-proof latches to prevent children's unsupervised access to the nappy change area.

Designated sleep rooms

• Windows should be positioned so staff can observe the children while they are sleeping.
• Windows should not be painted over or covered with materials that obstruct supervision.

Food and bottle preparation areas

• A door or gate should be installed with child-proof latches to prevent children younger than 5 years of age accessing the food preparation area without supervision.
• Staff must be able to supervise children, especially those younger than 2 years of age, at all times from the food preparation area.

Indoor and outdoor play spaces

• The height and placement of furniture and play equipment must be considered to provide educators with a clear view of children at all times.
• Areas where supervision is poor must be avoided, for example corners where no supervision is possible from the main activity areas.
• Some play spaces should be created that give children a sense of privacy but always allow for clear supervision by staff.

If the Regulatory Authority considers the design of a service's premises does not facilitate adequate supervision, we will raise our concerns with the approved provider.

Premises, furniture and equipment

Approved providers of all services should consider:

• the environment where children are educated and cared for
• the levels of supervision required within the environment where children are cared for
• how children use different pieces of equipment
• the surface, corners, weight and stability of furniture and equipment
• recommendations from organisations, such as Kidsafe, on fall zones and suitable heights of furniture, equipment and playground equipment.

Equipment should meet the relevant Australian Standards, where applicable, and be maintained to these standards.

Approved providers of centre-based services should consider:

• keeping records of inspections and maintenance of playgrounds and equipment
• asking equipment manufacturers and installers to supply inspection information to maintain particular equipment and products
• use of daily/weekly routine visual inspections to identify obvious hazards (including through damage or general wear and tear) in surfacing, fixed and mobile equipment, moving parts, swings, ropes, chains, tyres, fences and sandpits
• use of monthly/quarterly operational inspections to check equipment stability and any wear in moving parts, static equipment, metal frames, timber structures, slides and linking items
• using a qualified person to complete regular and/or annual comprehensive inspections.

Approved providers of family day care services must:

• conduct an assessment (including a risk assessment) of each approved residence or venue before education and care is provided, and at least every year after that to ensure the ongoing safety, health and wellbeing of children
• ensure that equipment and resources must be safe, clean, in good repair, sturdily built and of appropriate height and position in the yard
• ensure that every reasonable precaution should be taken to protect children from harm or a hazard that could cause injury (e.g. not locating a swing too close to a concrete wall or locating a slide so that it finishes on top of hard ground or cement)
• ensure that home-made equipment / resources / fixtures that are available in residential premises for children to use are in line with and maintained according to an Australian Standard where applicable
• undertake regular checks for safety purposes whether equipment carries an Australian Standard marking or not.

Family day care educators:

• should minimise the risk of injury to children, but the Regulatory Authority does not expect that they incur undue expense to achieve this. For example, educators should place equipment on areas that provide natural soft fall such as grass, sand or tan bark, or if these natural soft fall materials are not available, use suitable fall mats
• must maintain the soft fall (natural or artificial)
• should ensure there are safe fall zones for the different ages of the children at the service and that they adapt their supervision of these play resources accordingly.

Sleep and rest physical environment considerations

Approved providers of all services should consider the following.

Sleep and rest areas or rooms

• Consider children's need for calm, comfortable and secure surroundings as they rest.
• Provide clear lines of sight to children under 18 months as they sleep (e.g. are children able to be clearly observed through a window?)
• Ensure the temperature, lighting and ambience of the sleep room or area encourage sleep and rest.

Cots, beds and bedding equipment

• Ensure cots, beds and bedding equipment meet mandatory Australian safety standards and are labelled accordingly.
• Adhere to all product safety advice relating to cots, beds and bedding equipment.
• Ensure cots, beds and bedding equipment are appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the children who will use them.
• Ensure cots and beds are assembled according to manufacturers' instructions and that instructions are kept in a place known to the nominated supervisor and educators.
• Use mattresses that are the right size for the cot or bed and ensure they are firm, flat, clean and in good condition.
• Ensure cots do not contain toys, books, cot bumpers, doonas, pillows and other items that could be hazardous to sleeping babies and young children.
• Ensure all cots, beds and bedding equipment are clean, maintained and regularly checked for damage to safety latches and moving parts.
• Provide safe bedding for children according to their age and developmental stage.
• Ensure bassinets are not used. Bassinets are not allowed on the education and care service premises while children are being educated and cared for by the service.
• Ensure babies are not left to sleep on mats or floor mattresses. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot that meets the mandatory Australian Standard.

Location of cots and beds

• Ensure there are enough cots and beds available for all children who require sleep or rest throughout the day.
• Ensure cots and beds are not positioned under or near windows, curtains, blind cords or electrical appliances.
• Allow enough space between the cots or beds to ensure children using them cannot physically disturb 1 another while resting.
• Allow enough space between cots or beds for educators to move freely between children—educators must be able to tend to a resting child without touching another cot, bed or child.
• Ensure any area that is permanently set aside for the use or storage of cots or beds is excluded from calculations of unencumbered indoor space.

Supervision

• Position cots or beds in areas that allow supervision of sleeping or resting children at all times.
• Ensure supervision windows in sleep rooms are not obstructed by posters, paintings or curtains.
• Ensure sleeping children are checked at regular intervals and these checks are documented.

Policies and procedures

• Ensure the physical environment for sleep and rest is maintained throughout the day by the service’s nominated supervisor and educators.
• Ensure that educator practices support children’s need for sleep and rest.

Vehicle access

Physical factors affecting road safety

When assessing potential safety issues relating to vehicle access and how any risks will be managed, the approved provider should consider relevant matters such as:

• speed limits of any adjoining roads. For example, a 60km/h adjoining road presents a higher risk than a 40km/h designated 'School Zone' adjoining road
• the flow and direction of traffic. For example, what direction do cars enter the service's carpark from? Is traffic congestion more prevalent at certain times of day?
  
• any need to install adequate safety barriers and/or bollards to protect children's outdoor areas/rooms adjoining carparks and roads
• the design and location of pedestrian access areas such as footpaths, entrance gates, access ramps and walkways to ensure the safe passage of children to and from the service to adjoining vehicle access areas such as 'drop-off and pick-up zones', car parks and roads
• proximity of the service to other public venues—for example, schools, early childhood services or entertainment venues such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas or sporting venues—which experience high levels of traffic and congestion at peak times which coincide with 'drop-off and pick-up' times at the service
• the location of other public amenities near the service, such as service stations, train and bus stations, shopping centres or storage facilities where heavy vehicles access the adjoining roads (such as trucks, buses and trains) and which may present additional road safety risks to children
• use of signage, fencing, safety gates and barriers which affect the routes that children are able to take and encourage safer travel.

Precautionary measures—addressing road safety

Approved providers should identify and implement precautionary measures to address the risks to children’s health and safety that carparks, roads and road-related areas may present, such as the installation of:

• guard rails, bollards or barriers
• increased signage
• reinforced fencing, particularly for indoor or outdoor play areas that adjoin a busy main road or a carpark
• speed bumps on streets or roads in the immediate area.

The Regulatory Authority may request that the approved provider provide statement from the engineer overseeing the installation that:

• it is designed to withstand the particular risk posed by vehicles
  
• was installed in accordance with the product safety specifications.

Additional requirements for multi-storey buildings

Applicants proposing to operate an education and care service in a multi-storey building need to address evacuation risks in these buildings. A multi-storey building is defined as a building with more than two storeys, including the ground floor and each level of a split storey (or a mezzanine).

Extra planning and care is required to ensure the safe egress of children, both in the design and location of a premises, and in the development, rehearsal and updating of emergency and evacuation procedures.

Applicants should refer to NQF multi-storey building resources relating to premises design considerations (PDF, 1.6MB), service approval applications (PDF, 389KB) and emergency and evacuation policy and procedure guidelines (PDF, 447KB).

Services in multi-storey buildings should locate the youngest children (e.g. non-ambulatory children and young toddlers) on the ground floor, or on a level that provides the easiest possible egress to a safe assembly area outside the premises and away from the building. In multi-storey buildings shared with other occupants, this egress to an assembly point away from the building should be direct—that is, it does not include travelling through sets of stairs (including fire isolated stairwells), busy occupied areas, traffic or other hazards, or obstructions.

Services in multi-storey buildings shared with other occupants present additional evacuation risks for children, particularly if proposing to locate a service above ground level. There is increased risk to children evacuating via stairwells at the same time as others, significant heights and travel distances may be involved, and increased supervision may be required. The Regulatory Authority will consider the availability of direct egress at the point of service approval assessment for such services.

Additional building measures may be required under the National Construction Code, for example, fire separation, fire compartmentation, fire-isolated stairways and ramps, quick response sprinklers, and child height handrails. Approved providers should consult with their building practitioners in this regard.

The Regulatory Authority also imposes additional requirements on approved providers operating services in multi-storey buildings. In those instances, where outdoor play spaces adjoin a balcony, deck or verandah (with a significant fall in height on the other side), approved providers are required to install a non-climbable zone and a fence of at least 1.8 metres.

Considerations for emergency and evacuation procedures

The NQF requires education and care services to have emergency and evacuation policies and procedures and plans. For services operating in multi-storey buildings, the expectation of the Regulatory Authority is that these are developed by, or in consultation with, an appropriately qualified expert, such as a fire safety engineer or fire safety adviser. In multi-storey buildings shared with other occupants, the procedures need to have regard to the evacuation arrangements for the whole building, including how children's evacuation may be impacted by evacuation from other storeys and evacuation in stages.

The Regulatory Authority may impose conditions on service approvals in multi-storey buildings, which require approved providers to have an ongoing engagement with their fire safety expert—that they observe and report on required 3-monthly evacuation rehearsals and make improvements to their procedures accordingly. Other evacuation-related conditions imposed could include limiting the number of non-ambulant infants and the storey they are on, and engaging additional staff members to assist in evacuations.

Additional measures required by the Regulatory Authority

During the assessment of an application for service approval, the Regulatory Authority may require that reasonable additional measures be taken by the approved provider to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of children, for example:

• installation of 1.8 metre barriers where children have access to significant fall risk areas (e.g. built areas above ground level such as decks, balconies and stairways)
• installation of a greater number of toilets or showers than the number required under the BCA to ensure adequacy and that the toilets are not only developmentally and age appropriate, but that they can be safely used and conveniently accessed by children
• installation of additional safety barriers and bollards where outdoor play areas adjoin/abut carparks or where additional vehicle access needs to be addressed.

The Regulatory Authority may also impose conditions on a service approval to help ensure the ongoing health, safety and wellbeing of children.

If the Regulatory Authority is satisfied that the service, if permitted to operate, would constitute an unacceptable risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of children, it must refuse to grant a service approval (National Law section 49(1) (a)).

Help and support

For questions about meeting requirements, please contact your regional office.​