ITEM TITLE:
Action item: Establishing Criteria for Facility Assessment Rubric
SUBMITTED BY: n/a
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: n/a
Unencumbered Balance: n/a
Funding Source: n/a
RECOMMENDATION:
n/a
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Task force members will work cooperatively to establish a scoring rubric to be used in assessment of potential physical space for their suitability as child care facilities.
This rubric should include safety and space standards required by the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office. These standards are outlined in detail in 7 AAC 10 <https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp%237.10.1010> and include but are not limited to
• 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child
• 75 square feet of usable outdoor space per child (plan for alternate outdoor space may be used with departmental approval- outdoor space must have good drainage and no standing water)
• Fire, building and plumbing codes (state and local) met
• Functional telephone or other identified means of communication
• Clean and sanitary toilet facilities (Minimum of 1 toilet and 1 hand sink per 15 people (bathtub required for infant care)
• Water temperature between 100 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit
• Adequate ventilation and safe heating mechanisms
• Ensure the facility is free of hazards including splintered surfaces, sharp edges, protruding corners, broken or hazardous toys or play equipment, steep stairways, ice on walkways, unsecured play equipment, and unsafe play areas; inside and outside
Attached for member review are documents from CCPO that outline some of these requirements in more detail.
Task force members should also consider other developmental and environmental factors or other metrics as well (one example - “The 10 NAEYC Program Standards <https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-naeyc-program-standards>”).