School-Age Programs:
Quick Tips for Identifying Appropriate Sites

Facilities for successful school-age programs should have the following characteristics:

1. Adequate program space:

Minimum required is 35 square feet of program space per child (note: this does not include staff offices, bathrooms, storage/closets, etc.). 40-50 square feet/child is recommended. For example: for a group of 39 children (required staff ratio is 1:13), you need 1,365 - 1,950 square feet of program space.

2. Enough bathroom facilities:

One sink and one toilet per 20 children required. More sinks in classrooms are helpful.

3. Fire safety systems up to code:

Fire department will most likely require hard-wired smoke and fire alarms, and will probably require entire building to be outfitted, not just school-age area.  Sprinklers are sometimes required.

4. Adequate egress:

Two safe egresses are almost always required, at least one of them with direct access to outside.

5. No hazardous materials violations:

Any hazardous materials, such as asbestos, must be either removed or contained in ways that meet legal requirements.

6. Good air quality and circulation:

Potential problems include exhaust from building heating systems, other air pollutants, and poorly-circulating basement air.

7. Good light:

Both adequate natural light (particularly important for basement space) and enough indoor lighting for tutoring and other activities without causing eye strain.

8. Access to recreational space:

Access to 75 square feet/child of safe, outdoor space (for one-third of program participants at a time) required. Recommendation is 90 square feet/child. You don't have to own space, just have access to it - such as a nearby park. Indoor space can substitute in bad weather. For a group of 39 children, you need 975 - 1,170 square feet (or more, of course).

9. Adequate storage:

Need enough storage both for children's and staff's belongings, and also for program supplies and equipment.  Ideally, you want ample, built-in storage space with the ability to close it in behind doors (cabinets, closets).

10. Room layout which facilitates program:

Rooms whose layouts hamper teachers' ability to supervise children (peculiar shape with hidden areas, wide open areas in which kids can get out of control) or which are too loud (particularly if your program requires quiet for concentration) will probably need to be modified to allow for a quality program. For programs needing quiet, it helps to be able to break the space up into smaller activity areas.

11. Space for staff:

Staff generally need a separate space to make phone calls, do paperwork, prepare curriculum, etc.

12. While not required, the following can be a bonus for your program:

Dedicated, non-shared space: this allows you to avoid time-consuming set-up and break-down of equipment and furnishings.

Kitchen: if you will be offering snacks, it helps to have a kitchen (but if you do, it will have to meet various health requirements - i.e. you may need a commercial dishwasher, food preparation areas and sinks can't be mixed with other functions like hand-washing and art, etc.)

Computer area: helpful if you are running a program which focuses on academic.

Convenient and safe drop-off and pick-up area.