National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

a) Entrance and exit control must be available, as well as lockable gates, to prevent unauthorized entryand children leaving the premises on their own accord.3.3 Structural requirementsAn indoor play area for playing, eating and for sleeping purposes must be provided on thepremises.a) A structure used as an indoor play area must have –• Exterior walls and roof constructed in a way as to prevent the permeation of wind and rain and toensure the health and safety of children using the area;• Windows and doors to allow natural light and cross ventilation; and• A floor with a smooth surface that is easily cleanable and prevents the permeation of dampness.b) A free floor space of at least 2 m 2 must be provided for each child on the premises, of the agesbetween 3 to 6 yrs.c) For children under the age of 3 yrs, at least 3m 2 of free floor space must be provided; this shouldinclude adequate space for crawling of infants or toddlers.d) Children play space areas should be provided according to the different age groups (0-2yrs), (2-3yrs),(3-4yrs), (4-5yrs), (5-6yrs).e) The play area must be free from any structural hazards, such as sharp corners, stairs, slipperysurfaces that may pose a danger or constitute a hazard to children on the premises.f) Adequate seating (juvenile size chairs and tables), playing and sleeping (water proof mattresses)equipment must be available for the individual use of each child.g) Cots and water proof mattresses should be spaced 12 inches apart during sleep or nap time to allowfree and safe movement by a child care supervisor.h) Linen used for sleeping purposes must be laundered at least weekly if possible, especially forchildren under the age of 3 years.i) For children on nappies, a nappy changing area, equipped with a nappy changing table, with a waterproofmattress must be provided on the premises.j) Proper diaper changing procedures should be followed to prevent the of faecal-oral infections.k) Indoor and outdoor playing equipment/toys must be without sharp points or edges.l) Mouth contact toys used for children under the age of 2 years must be cleaned and sanitized daily, byscrubbing in warm and soapy water using a brush, rinsing with clean water, submerging in asanitizing solution for at least 2 minutes and air dried.An outdoor play area of adequate size must be provided for use by every child on the premises.a) An outdoor play area of a minimum of at least 5m 2 per child must be provided on the premises.b) Separate play areas should be provided for children between ages of 0-2 yrs and those between theages of 3-6 yrs.c) The premises must be surrounded by a fence constructed by an approved material and a lockablegate to prevent a child from leaving the premises unnoticed as well as to prevent unauthorized entryby the public.d) Suitable outdoor play equipment must be provided for use by the children. Care must be taken toensure that the equipment does not contain any hazardous chemicals e.g. Lead or any sharp edgesor loose objects that may cause injury to the children on the premises. All playground equipment mustbe in compliance to the SANS 51176: 2010 for playground equipment and surfacing.3.4 Toilets and hand wash facilitiesAdequate toilet and wash up facilities of adequate size must be provided on the premises foruse by the children.a) 1 (one) toilet facility must be provided for at least every 15 (fifteen) children on the premises 1:15, andan adequate supply of toilet paper must be supplied in the toilet facilities at all times.b) 1 (one) handwash basin must be provided for at least every 20 (twenty) children on the premises1:20. The handwash basin must be located in or immediately adjacent to the toilets. An adequatesupply of soap and a clean towel must be provided at all times.DOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 17