General
Childcare workers
Recruitment
Health
Design Guidance
There are a number of publications and resources providing guidance on design that are aimed at local authorities and stakeholders delivering capital-build projects.
Case studies
This section covers a broad range of early years settings, funded through Sure Start capital funding. The case studies have been chosen to highlight good practice and lessons learned. They are good examples of settings to visit or look at more closely when thinking about developing a Sure Start capital project.
Current case studies
The following link will take you to seven case studies included in the Building for Sure Start publication
- Building for Sure Start - case studies
Publications
Building for Sure Start: Integrated provision for under 5s - Design and Client Guide.
(DfES) Schools for the Future: Designing Schools for Extended Services
Room data sheets and design brief
A series of room data sheets have been put together for use by local authorities and other partners delivering capital projects through Sure Start. These are a work in progress and will be continually updated. The data sheets cover 12 different types of use which may appear as part of a children's centre - for example, reception area, kitchen, buggy storage, requirements for that usage, along with short guidance information.
Download the data sheets.
Accompanying the data sheets is an example of a design brief for a children's centre which should help with planning and organisation of the centre in its early design stages. The brief can be modified to fit individual requirements, and should be used as a template to work from.
Download the design brief template
Guidance documents are available via the links below.
Other design guidance resources
- School Buildings Information Centre: This is available on the TeacherNet website.
- The Education (Schools Premises) Regulations 1999: This is available on the TeacherNet website.
- Special Educational Needs and Disability: Information and guidance on implementing the Disability Discrimination Act in early years settings is available on the TeacherNet website.
See our links page for useful resources to aid you in developing appropriate, fit for purpose premises for the delivery of children's services
Other policy
National Standards
The Early Years, Extended Schools and Special Needs Group is responsible for policy and standards in relation to regulation and inspection of childcare and nursery education.
The regulations apply 14 national standards and supporting criteria to all registered childcare providers. These are available in six separate documents in the inspections and regulation section.
Sustainability Development
Schools building research establishment environmental assessment method (BREEAM)
All buildings and refurbishments covering over 10% of school floor and valued at over £500,000 for primary schools and £2 million for secondary schools should be subject to a BREEAM assessment. For further details, see the BREEAM Schools website.
Visit the TeacherNet website for details on the protection of school playing fields.
The code for sustainable buildings can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website.
Signage during Construction - Building for the Future
For the requirements for use of Building for the Future signs during the construction phase and to obtain the logo, visit the Building for the Future page on the Cabinet Office website.
Please note the requirement to use the ‘Building for the Future’ identity only applies to the construction phase of capital projects. This guidance therefore relates only to the temporary signs that should be erected for the duration of the construction period.
