11. Calculating Outdoor Space

Question 1

Outdoor Space

Answer 1

~ outdoor space is calculated after the indoor space is calculated
~ usable outdoor play space is safe, sanitary, and fenced in accordance with minimum licensing standards
~ in some cases, school-age child care programs may qualify for an exemption to the fencing requirement
~ screened porches and covered patios are considered to be outdoor space rather than indoor space
~ hazards, such as air conditioner units, that are within the outdoor play area must be made inaccessible to children and must be deducted from the usable outdoor square footage
~ the total number of children using the outdoor play space may not exceed the outdoor capacity

Question 2

Calculating Outdoor Space

Answer 2

2 √ Indoor Capacity - Infants younger than one year
(Indoor Capacity = One-half of licensed capacity not including infants x 45 sq. ft.)

Minimum required outdoor square footage.

Question 3

The child care program is required to have enough outdoor space to allow half of the licensed capacity (excluding infants) to play at one time.

Answer 3

• If the child care program has a licensed capacity of 64 children and includes 4 infants then it would be required to have at least 1,350 square feet of usable outdoor space.
• (64 children – 4 infants)/2 x 45 square feet = 1,350 square feet

Question 4

Child care programs are required to have a minimum of 45 square feet of outdoor space for each child.

Answer 4

• If the three-year-old child care class has 10 children then there must be at least 450 square feet on the playground they can use for outdoor time.
• 10 children x 45 square feet = 450 square feet