National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years: statutory guidance - Audience and overview
Standard of care child minding and day care providers must meet to look after children under 12.
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Standard 22: Environment
Child’s voice: People care for me in a place which is just right for me.
Well-being outcome: Children access safe, stimulating indoor and outdoor environments supporting exploration, movement, creativity and play.
The registered person is responsible for ensuring that:
22.1 The setting is welcoming and friendly to children and parents and provides a rich environment for play.
22.2 The physical environment is safe, secure and suitable for its purpose. The provision provides adequate space in an appropriate location, is welcoming to children and offers access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities that promote their development.
22.3 Any indoor premises that are part of the provision are clean, well-lit with adequate natural lighting, adequately ventilated and maintained in a suitable state of repair and decoration.
22.4 There is access to a telephone.
22.5 Rooms are maintained at a temperature of at least 18 degrees Centigrade (65 degrees Fahrenheit).
22.6 Play areas are large enough to give scope for free movement and well spread out activities.
22.7 Children do not have access to the kitchen area unless it is being used solely for a supervised children’s activity.
22.8 The kitchen conforms to environmental health and food safety regulations.
22.9 Normally, outdoor play space adjoining the premises is provided. It is safe, secure, well maintained and exclusively for the use of the children when the provision is operating. Exceptionally, where outdoor play space cannot be provided, children are safely escorted to local parks, playgrounds or the equivalent on a regular basis.
22.10 Arrangements are made, where necessary, to ensure that an adequate supply of clean bedding, towels, spare clothes and any other linen is always available.
Standard 22: Environment (Child Minder)
22.1 (CM) The indoor playing space provides at least the following minimum space per child:
- under 2 years – 3.5 sq. metres.
- 2 to 7years – 2.5 sq. metres.
- 8 to 12 years – 2.3 sq. metres.
22.2 (CM) In calculating the space requirement for all age groups, a number of rooms in the premises can (excluding toilets) be designated for use.
Standard 22: Environment (Day Care)
22.1 (DC) The premises where day care is provided are for the sole use of the facility during the hours of operation.
22.2 (DC) The indoor playing space in day care provides at least the following minimum space per child:
- under 2 years - 3.7 sq. metres.
- 2 years - 2.8 sq. metres.
- 3 to 12 years - 2.3 sq. metres.
22.3 (DC) In calculating the space requirement for all age groups a number of rooms in the premises can be designated for use. The calculation must however exclude toilets, storage areas, thoroughfares, dedicated staff areas, cloakrooms, utility rooms, and kitchens.
22.4 (DC) Within the operational plan, it is clear how the indoor play space will be divided up and used to provide activities for groups of children and how staff will be deployed within it. The expectation is that these arrangements may need to be flexible and will vary according to the activity and needs of the group of children being cared for.
22.5 (DC) If day care is provided for babies and toddlers on non-domestic premises:
- there is a separate base room for children under 2 years of age. They should, however, be able to have contact with older children and details of how this will be achieved should be included in the operational plan and agreed with CIW.
- nappy changing facilities are provided which meet environmental health standards; and quiet areas are provided to facilitate individual sleep patterns.
22.6 (DC) Where care is provided in indoor settings there is a minimum of one toilet suitable for use by the children being cared for, and one wash hand basin with hot and cold water available for every 10 children over the age of 2 years. Paper towels or separate towels are provided for each child. The toilets must afford children privacy and be appropriate for the age of the child.
22.7 (DC) In day care settings, there must be separate toilet facilities for adults. Staff should have a room or area available for breaks, away from areas being used by children.
22.8 (DC) In day care settings with built premises, there is a kitchen which is adequately equipped to provide meals and snacks for children and staff on the premises. If this is not available, the registered person will show how adequate arrangements will be made to provide food and drinks for children and staff.
22.9 (DC) A separate space or a partitioned area is available for children who want to relax, play quietly or sleep. It is equipped with appropriate furniture. This area may be converted from normal play space but must allow children to rest safely without disturbance.
22.10 (DC) There is adequate storage space for equipment.
22.11 (DC) There is an area where confidential information and necessary records can be stored securely and where staff may talk to parents confidentially.
To assist providers, the principal regulatory requirements underpinning this standard are outlined below, followed by relevant guidance. Providers should note that neither list is exhaustive, and that providers must have regard to all standards relevant to their service and the circumstances concerned.
Related Regulations
Further Guidance and Support
Cwlwm is a consortium of five childcare and playwork partners. It offers templates, information and downloadable resources to help with operating bilingual early years childcare or playwork settings.
Balancing risk in outdoor learning
Flying Start childcare: guidance [HTML] | GOV.WALES
Playing outdoors in early years settings – a toolkit - Play Wales
Promoting physical activity through outdoor play
Developing and managing play spaces
Creating accessible play spaces - a toolkit
Managing Risk in Play Provision: A Position Statement
Managing Risk in Play Provision: Implementation Guide
Risk Benefit Assessment Form - Blank
Risk Benefit Assessment Form - Worked Example