1. Indoor areas have natural or artificially controlled:
- Lighting appropriate to activities and purpose of each room.
- Ventilation allowing fresh air to circulate (particularly in sanitary and sleep areas).
- Temperatures safely and effectively kept above 16 degrees at 500mm above the floor while children attending. (There is no legal maximum room temperature specified - however ECE services should ensure children's health and safety so if adults feel that the temperature is excessively hot it will certainly be unsafe for children. Ensure there is sufficient shade outdoors in summer, rooms are well-ventilated with doors and windows open to allow a cooling breeze through, or air-conditioning, water-play etc in summer)
- Sound absorption measures if noise levels affect children’s learning or well-being. (Note that in regards to noise levels, as an adult if you think the environment is noisy then it is more than likely harmful for children’s hearing too).
2. Practicable steps are taken to ensure noise levels do not unduly interfere with normal speech and/or communication or cause any child attending distress or harm. (Note that information on practicable steps centres can take to reduce noise levels and minimise harm to children’s (and adults’) ears from excessive noise is available on-line at www.childforum.com)