In 1989, Senate File 223, which related to early childhood and kindergarten programs, was enacted. This legislation amended Chapter 256.7 by adding the following:

"Prescribe guidelines for facility standards, maximum class sizes, and maximum in classroom pupil-teacher and teacher-aide ratios for grades kindergarten through three and before and after school and summer child care programs provided under the direction of the school district. The department also shall indicate modifications to such guidelines necessary to address the needs of at-risk children." Iowa Code section 256.7(1 4)(1 989 Supp.)

To fulfill this legislative mandate, an Early Childhood Task Force was formed in March, 1990. It was determined by the Department of Education that the Iowa Prekindergarten/Kindergarten Task Force which met in 1986-87, would be reactivated. Added to the original task force were at-risk prekindergarten and first through third grade teachers, child care teachers and administrators, and human services representatives for a total of 22 members. The Iowa Department of Education Early Childhood Task Force completed their censure responsibilities related to teachers and administrators in June, 1990. In Fall, 1990, in response to Iowa Code section 256.7(14) stated above, they reconvened. This report contains the recommendations of the Early Childhood Task Force.

 EARLY CHILDHOOD TASK FORCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS PHILOSOPHY

The quality of an early childhood care and education program is directly related to the appropriateness of the physical facility in which it is located. Programs for children birth through eight years require two classrooms, an indoor and outdoor learning environment. The experiences and activities in the Indoor and outdoor learning environments should complement and enrich each other. When feasible and appropriate, age groupings should be mixed.

Both the indoor and outdoor learning environment should contain a rich variety of durable stationary and mobile equipment and materials, selected to enhance the development of the total child. The materials and equipment in the environment should be arranged to provide many opportunities for choice activities. Provision should be made In each setting for (1) large and small group and individual activities, (2) opportunities for children to succeed, (3) opportunities to relate to-children and adults in a positive way and (4) opportunities to cooperate rather than to compete. Research has shown that the higher the quality of space in a center or school, the more likely teachers were to be sensitive and caring to children, to encourage children in their play activities, and to consider the rights and feelings of self and others. When spatial quality was low, children were less likely to be involved and interested, and teachers were more likely to be neutral or insensitive, to use more guidance and restriction, and to teach arbitrary rules of social living.

Community-School-Business-Labor partnerships are vital resources when creating quality outdoor environments. School facilities should be seen as a resource for the entire community. Outdoor school facilities should be available for appropriate use by the entire community, and should be available outside school or program hours, or by previous arrangement. Included in the outdoor learning environment for young children are the parts of the community In which the program is located which can be reached by foot, by vehicle, or by public transportation. Planned outdoor experiences should be integrated into all curricular areas. The physical setting shall be accessible to all children.

A key responsibility of the school or center is to provide the indoor and outdoor classrooms which meet the facility guidelines as described on the following pages. These guidelines are based on Iowa Department of Human Services Child Day Care Centers and Preschools Licensing Standards and Procedures, the State Building Code, and the State Fire Marshall's Rules. Facility guidelines shall be revised and updated In order to incorporate the most recent revisions of the standards of the aforementioned agencies. The facilities shall be accessible to persons with disabilities. Basic to these guidelines and recommendations is the acknowledgment that each child's development proceeds at different rates in different areas. The settings for birth through five-year-old children, including kindergarten, shall be located on the ground level of the building.

The following outdoor and indoor learning environments guidelines should be met by all schools or centers offering programs for children birth through eight years.

SPACE AND ROOM SIZE GUIDELINES

Floor Space and Room Size. The early childhood setting shall have thirty-five square feet per child of usable Indoor floor space maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. Kitchens, bathrooms, and halls may not be counted In the square footage per child nor be used as regular program space. Cooking stoves (with the exception of appliances used for curricular food preparation activities) should not be placed in the program area. When floor space occupied by cribs is counted as usable floor space, there shall be forty square feet of floor space per child in these early childhood rooms.

Indoor Space

SPACE AND EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES

PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM GUIDELINES

• Adult/Child Ratio for public school shall include a minimum of one certificated teacher.

Division of State Fire Marshal, Department of Public Safety. (1989). Rules affecting schools and colleges. Des Moines, IA: Author.

Handbook for Public Playground Safety, (Pub. No. 325) (1997). U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Washington, DC 20207.

Iowa Department of Human Services. (1988). Child day care centers and preschools licensing standards and procedures. Des Moines, IA: Author.

Iowa Prekindergarten/Kindergarten Task Force. (1987). Iowa Prekindergarten/Kindergarten Task Force Report. Des Moines, IA: Author.

Southern Association on Children under Six. (1990). Continuity of learning for four-to-seven-year-old children. (Brochure). Little Rock, AR: Author.

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