Lighting#

Lighting must be appropriate to the activities offered or purpose of each room. For example, use brighter lighting in activity areas and softer lighting in sleep rooms.

Check the lighting requirements in the Building Code.

Consider if additional windows or skylights are required.

See the lighting, ventilation, temperature control and acoustic materials licensing criteria.

PF111 Lighting, ventilation, temperature control and acoustic materials

Ventilation#

All areas used by children must have adequate circulation of fresh air to maintain good air quality. 

Ventilation can be:

• natural – for example, opening windows and doors to achieve cross-ventilation
• mechanical – must be on during all licensed hours and appropriate for the size and purpose of the room.

Ventilation for specific appliances and areas#

Clothes dryers should be vented to the outdoors.

Bathrooms, nappy change areas and laundries need to be well ventilated. If they are internal rooms, mechanical ventilation is required – check with your local National Public Health Service or building authority.

Sleep areas must be well ventilated to allow air to circulate so old air can exit and fresh air can enter. At least 2 openings are usually needed to achieve this – check with your local National Public Health Service.

The Building Performance website has information to check your service complies with the Building Code.

Building Code compliance – Building Performance

See the lighting, ventilation, temperature control and acoustic materials licensing criteria.

PF111 Lighting, ventilation, temperature control and acoustic materials

Maintaining a comfortable temperature#

A safe and effective system to heat and cool rooms must be in place to maintain a comfortable temperature – a minimum of 18 degrees – while children are present. This includes sleep areas and bathrooms. The system or systems you choose should be able to work effectively in response to the climate in your area. 

WorkSafe has information about temperature in the workplace.

Temperature at work – WorkSafe

See the relevant licensing criteria.

PF111 Lighting, ventilation, temperature control and acoustic materials

HS118 Room temperature

Types of heating#

There are many types of heating you could consider for your centre:

• Ceiling heaters or wall-mounted fan heaters placed above floor level (higher on the wall). These are safe and appropriate for education and care services because they are out of the children's way. If they are not at ground level, they do not use up space that could be used for other things like equipment display or couches.
• Infrared heaters are good for heating large spaces.
• Heat pumps are very efficient and cheap to run. They can also provide air conditioning in the summer. Extra fan heaters can be helpful to heat a room quickly.
• Oil-filled column heaters are good in sleep rooms if space allows, but must be guarded and secured for earthquake safety. They should also have a thermostat to prevent overheating. Ensure the plug is out of reach or permanently wired in.
• Underfloor heating can be a good for infants and toddlers who spend much of their time on the floor.
• Ceiling fans help circulate heat and work well when combined with fan heaters or under-floor heating.
• Water-filled radiators need guards around them to protect children. They usually have only limited temperature control.
• Night stores can be a useful additional heat source. They should also be guarded.

Dangerous heaters

Electric bar heaters and heaters with fuel reservoirs like kerosene/gas bottles are dangerous in centres.

Thermometers#

Any thermometers fixed on walls need to be positioned out of children's reach and no higher than 1500mm above the floor. 

Natural heat#

Think about capturing natural heat from the sun, for example, double glazing and window positions. These decisions can save money as well as be aesthetically pleasing. 

Acoustics#

High noise levels and noise reverberation can make it hard to communicate and negatively affect children’s learning or wellbeing.

When you are building or undertaking renovations consider the acoustic properties of the spaces in your premises. For example, large open play spaces with high ceilings and unbroken hard surfaces will be noisy and have a high reverberation time. 

Consider using different methods to absorb or diffuse sound waves:

• Install acoustic materials/tiles on ceilings and upper walls.
• Configure furniture to minimise sound reflection between hard, parallel surfaces. For example, place open shelves or cubby holes on walls opposite each other.
• Have carpeted areas.
• Use soft furnishing like curtains, big cushions and upholstered furniture like couches and chairs.
• Hang complex shapes like mobiles, wall and ceiling hangings to break up spaces.

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, Regulation 45 – New Zealand Legislation

PF111 Lighting, ventilation, temperature control and acoustic materials

HS111 Noise levels – Ministry of Education