Ministerial guidelines
Childcare Facilities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities
Childcare in new housing areas (generally one facility for every 75 homes), and the siting and size of childcare facilities.
Department of the Environment and Local Government · June 2001 · 20 pages
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- 7 regard should be had to the difficulties which exist in accessing quality childcare. These would include the high cost of quality childcare and the lack of childcare facilities. In rural areas, issues such as isolation and transportation problems also present difficulties in accessing childcare. Local and Action Area Plans should address these issues and respond to the differing needs of local areas in relation to the provision of childcare.
- 8 3.01 Development Control and related standards for Childcare Facilities 3.1 Land Use Zoning Through land use zoning, the planning authority directs development into the most suitable locations in its administrative area. In this way it achieves compatibility between uses, leading to sustainable patterns of development. Childcare facilities should be an important consideration in this process and should be identified and accommodated in the majority of land use zones. 3.2 Development Control The following criteria should be applied in the assessment of the suitability of childcare facilities irrespective of location: • Have regard to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, in relation to the planning implications of these Regulations. • Suitability of the site for the type and size of facility proposed. • Availability of outdoor play area and details of management of same. • Convenient to public transport nodes. • Safe access and convenient parking for customers and staff. • Local traffic conditions. • Number of such facilities in the area. • Intended hours of operation (in certain residential areas, 24 hour operations could be problematic). _____________________________________ 1 Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991 provides for the notification to and inspection by health boards of pre-school services. The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, which give effect to the provisions of Part VII came into operation on 31 December, 1996. The Regulations apply to pre-schools, day nurseries, crèches, childminders looking after more than three children and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age. The Regulations cover full day care, sessional services and drop-in centres.
- 3.3 SPECIFIC LOCATIONS 3.3.1 New and Existing Residential Areas Full Day Care Facilities - Suitable Sites 1. Detached houses/sites or substantial semi-detached properties with space for off-street parking and/or suitable drop-off and collection points for customers and also space for an outdoor play area. In relation to new housing areas, a standard of one childcare facility providing for a minimum 20 childcare places per approximately 75 dwellings may be appropriate. This is a guideline standard and will depend on the particular circumstances of each individual site. Consideration of childcare facilities provision should be raised as early as possible in preplanning discussions for larger housing developments. [See Appendix 2 for a discussion of the criteria to be used to arrive at the base figure.] 2. Neighbourhood centres within a residential area provided that the premises can accommodate open space (or have easy access to a safe outdoor play area). In addition, the unit should be able to avail of ancillary parking associated with neighbourhood shops for the purposes of drop-off and collection, or be close to a public transport node. 3. Premises/sites on primary traffic routes close to public transport nodes and which can provide safe pull in/parking areas for customers and staff. Applications for full day-care facilities in premises other than those listed above (e.g. terraced houses or houses located on a cul-de-sac) should be treated on their merits having regard to the principles outlined above in relation to parking/drop-off points, layout and design of the housing area and the effect on the amenities of adjoining properties. Sessional Childcare Facilities In relation to sessional/after-school care, the provision of such facilities may be considered in any residential area as ancillary to the main residential use subject to the criteria outlined in the relevant indents under Development Control above (at 3.2). 3.3.2 Industrial Estates/Employment Areas In general, childcare facilities should be located in light industrial zones/ technology and business parks. 9
- 1. Where feasible, the premises should be located on a site which is convenient to the entrance to the industrial estate to facilitate easy access. This location will also obviate the necessity to walk/drive through active industrial areas; it will facilitate easier access to public transport nodes. In addition, the premises should be served by offstreet parking. 2. The premises should be provided with outdoor play space or have safe and easy access to a safe outdoor play area. Unsuitable sites/premises in relation to this category are locations in general industrial estates/mining areas where the process carried on or the machinery/equipment in use or emissions could be injurious to the health and safety of the children. 3.3.3 City/Town Centres, District Centres and Neighbourhood Centres Neighbourhood and District Centres In the existing built up areas, many of the smaller neighbourhood centres are under pressure from larger retail centres. Those that contain vacant units are often under pressure to convert to residential use. These units are a resource and ideally suited in their location in the heart of residential areas to accommodate childcare facilities. City/Town Centres Premises opening directly onto the more heavily trafficked retail centres of towns and cities will not generally be suitable locations. Smaller, quieter streets adjoining these will often prove more suitable. The premises should be capable of providing outdoor play space or have safe or easy access to a safe outdoor play area/park. The premises should be so located that it is within easy reach of public transport nodes and has car parking facilities/turning area which will accommodate staff and customers respectively. 3.3.4 Educational Establishments Third level colleges In general, third level colleges should provide at least one child care facility to cater for staff and students. The size of the facility will be calculated on the basis of the existing and potential needs of staff and students and in the light of the availability or otherwise of other suitable child care facilities in the locality. 10
- The location of the premises within the college will be a matter for each individual college. However, it is important in determining the most suitable location to take into account the nature and use of the premises surrounding the campus. If the college is located in a residential area, a central location within the college complex would be preferable to a site on the boundary. Those responsible for the choice of location should take into account the nature of the campus, whether it is on a restricted city centre site or spacious suburban location, in a commercial area or a more residential area. Primary and Second Level Schools In order to reduce the number of trips made by parents and guardians, the location of childcare facilities and schools in close proximity to each other would be desirable. The use of school premises to cater for after school care is recommended and school authorities are encouraged to examine how they can help address this demand. 3.3.5 Public Transport Nodes In each of the above cases, closeness to public transport nodes may be a deciding factor, as it will promote sustainable modes of transport. 3.4 Possible Conditions to Planning Permission 3.4.1 Residential Content In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to attach a condition that would require some residential content be maintained in the premises. This would apply to planning permissions for change of use to childcare facilities in existing residential areas. It is not necessary that the owner-occupier be the resident. The reason for this condition is that the presence of totally commercial premises would detract from the amenity of the residential community. This condition would not be appropriate in certain, heavily trafficked through roads. 3.4.2 Temporary Permission The use of temporary permissions should be avoided if at all possible. The circumstances in which a temporary permission is granted should be exceptional and will normally be such that, in the absence of the “probation” period afforded by a temporary permission, the planning authority would have issued a refusal. 11
- If a temporary permission is granted, the permission should be for a period of not less than 5 years. The granting of a temporary permission should occur only once in relation to any individual premises and on the expiry of the temporary permission, a permission or refusal should issue. 3.5 Drop-in Childcare Facilities in Shopping Centres In considering applications for shopping centres, planning authorities should take account of the need for drop-in childcare facilities for shoppers. Planning authorities should, as a separate issue, consider the possible childcare requirements of the staff of the shopping centre. All large-scale centres should be provided with childcare facilities, consisting of both changing/feeding facilities, and supervised self-contained play areas for young children. Preferably, such facilities should be required to be located at ground floor level. 3.6 Access Access for the disabled and the elderly to all childcare facilities should be encouraged and facilitated. 12
- 13 APPENDIX 1 GENERAL STANDARDS Applicants should note that the following standards should be applied in all applications for full day-care childcare facilities, since the planning authority will have regard to them. 1. Minimum floor space per child: 2.32 m2, exclusive of kitchen, bathroom and hall, furniture or permanent fixtures. It might be noted that the Explanatory Guide to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, recommends as follows: AGE OF CHILD FLOOR AREA PER CHILD 0 – 1 3.70 m2 1 – 2 2.80 m2 2 – 6 2.32 m2 These recommendations relate to clear floor space per child. Extraneous areas such as kitchens, toilets, sleeping and other ancillary areas are deemed to be separate. 2. Adequate and suitable facilities for a pre-school child to play indoors and outdoors during the day are provided, having regard to the number of preschool children attending the service, their age and the amount of time they spend in the premises. 3. The care of babies should be confined to the ground floor only. In relation to drop-in and sessional services, for pre-school children the Explanatory Guide to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996 recommends the following: • Clear floor space per child: 2.00 m2, exclusive of kitchen, bathroom and hall, furniture or permanent fixtures. In relation to drop-in services for other children and after-school care, the following indicative standard is suggested (but should be considered having regard to all relevant circumstances of the application, including the need for such services in the area and the likely number of hours each child will spend in the facility on an average day): • Clear floor space per child: 2.00 m2, exclusive of kitchen, bathroom and hall, furniture or permanent fixtures.
- 14 APPENDIX 2 APPLICATION OF THE STANDARD OF ONE CHILDCARE FACILITY PER 75 DWELLINGS IN NEW HOUSING AREAS (Paragraphs 2.4 and 3.3.1 above refer) As indicated in Paragraph 2.4, in new communities/new housing areas, planning authorities should require the provision of at least one childcare facility for new housing areas and other areas of residential development unless there are significant reasons to the contrary. For housing, a benchmark provision of one childcare facility per 75 dwellings is recommended. The threshold for provision should be established having had regard to the existing geographical distribution of childcare facilities and the emerging demographic profile of areas. Any modification to the indicative standard of one childcare facility per 75 dwellings should have regard to: 1. The make-up of the proposed residential area, i.e. an estimate of the mix of community the housing area seeks to accommodate. (If an assumption is made that 50% approximately of the housing area will require childcare then in a new housing area of 75 dwellings, approximately 35 will need childcare. One facility providing a minimum of 20 childcare places is therefore considered to be a reasonable starting point on this assumption. Other assumptions may lead to an increase or decrease in this requirement.) 2. The results of any childcare needs analysis carried out as part of a county childcare strategy or carried out as part of a local or action area plan or as part of the development plan in consultation with county childcare committees, which will have identified areas already well-served or alternatively, gap areas where there is underprovision, will also contribute to refining the base figure.
- 15 APPENDIX 3 INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE SUPPLIED BY AN APPLICANT FOR PLANNING PERMISSION FOR A CHILDCARE FACILITY Generally, the more information the applicant can submit with a planning application the better. It will avoid requests for additional information. It is always advisable for the applicant to consult with the Planning Department and the Fire Officer of the relevant local authority, and the Health Board for the area, prior to submitting an application for planning permission for a childcare facility. The information which should be submitted (as a minimum) is as follows: 1. Nature of the facility: • Full day care • Sessional • Drop In • After School Care 2. Numbers of children being catered for. 3. Parking provision for both customers and staff. 4. Proposed hours of operation. 5. Open space provision and measures for management of same.
- 16 APPENDIX 4 LIST OF RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS Department of the Environment and Local Government (1999) “Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Residential Density”. Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 398 of 1996) and Child Care (Pre-School Services)(Amendment) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 268 of 1997). Department of Health and Children (1998) "Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996 and Child Care (Pre-School Services)(Amendment) Regulations, 1997 and Explanatory Guide to Requirements and Procedures for Notification and Inspection". Planning and Development Act, 2000 (No. 30 of 2000), Stationery Office, Dublin.
Source Department of the Environment and Local Government: Childcare Facilities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities (June 2001) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.