UFC 4-740-14
1 August 2002
aimed at establishing optimal design, though, when appropriate, specific maximum or
minimum requirements are stated. The center design must meet the needs of children,
caregivers, administrators, and parents by performing the following functions:
Support the staff's care of children by creating safe and healthy
environments that allow them to focus their efforts on the care and nurture
of children. Provide features that encourage positive relationships
between staff, children, and parents.
Create an environment that comfortably accommodates the needs of well-
qualified staff in order to attract and retain them.
Facilitate family involvement in the center, particularly with the child's
caregivers.
Respond to local conditions, climate, and regional preferences in the
design, while also considering the goals of the parents and sponsoring
agency or agencies.
Create a safe environment for both children and staff.
Create an appropriate, well thought-out and attractive child-oriented
environment. The CDC should avoid a typical institutional atmosphere; it
should be inviting and feel "home-like" for the child.
Accommodate a child's scale, including how they will use the space, what
they will see, and what kind of experience they will have, i.e., design
through the eyes of a child.
Provide an intriguing environment, but one devoid of overpowering colors,
features and literal themes. Too much literalness can inhibit a child's
Size the child activity rooms to accommodate the recommended group
sizes and staff-to-child supervision ratios. Efficiently use space and
provide strategically situated storage to accommodate effective
supervision.
Provide durable and cost effective materials and details. A CDC is used
intensely; the design must be particularly sensitive to the life cycle cost of
materials.
Create a reasonably accommodating center for staff, parents and children
in a cost effective manner.
Provide for flexibility as the installations' demographic needs change.
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