General minimum requirements of the physical environment

(1) Every operator registered and licensed under these Regulations shall ensure that every residential care facility for children under his management and control is a place where children have adequate space and a clean and safe environment to grow and develop to their full potential. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subregulation (1) above, every residential care facility for children registered under these Regulations shall at all times comply with the minimum physical requirements specified in subregulation (3) below. (3) The minimum physical requirements referred to in subregulation (2) above are as follows– (a) the facility and equipment shall be kept clean, in good repair, and free from anything that may be dangerous to children; (b) poisonous substances (paint, cleaning liquid, insecticides, medicines, etc.) and peeling paint that contains any lead content shall not be accessible to children at the facility; (c) the building or facility should be handicap accessible, preferably a one-storey building with Social Service Agencies 85 no open stairwells, and stairs should have railings and gates; (d) the building shall have adequate space and size for the number and ages of children using it. There should be a minimum of 150 square feet of habitable living area, including bedroom for the first resident and 100 square feet for each additional resident. Single bedrooms shall have at least 100 square feet. Bedrooms allotted for sharing must be 40 square feet for the first resident and 30 square feet for each additional resident. All living space shall have a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet. This does not include space for the kitchen, storage and entrances; (e) the building shall have adequate space for educational activities; (f) there should be appropriate child care areas for preschoolers. (4) The building at the facility must have– (a) lockable doors easily opened for emergencies to prevent children from exiting and unauthorized individuals from entering; (b) sufficient exits for evacuation purposes and fire safety; (c) screens against flies and mosquitoes; (d) floors made from material which is easy to clean; (e) proper ventilation and light to ensure the health and comfort of the children; 86 Social Service Agencies (f) adequate water supply for hygiene and drinking purposes of a safe and sanitary quality from an approved source; (g) separate kitchen area that is not accessible to small children for food preparation; (h) separate staff area; (i) storage space for materials and equipment; (j) electricity and safe electrical outlets that are out of reach of the children, or covered with plug covers if at the child’s level; (k) safe and sanitary sewerage and drainage systems; and (l) working telephone (where available) with emergency numbers posted in conspicuous placed within the facility. (5) Toilet and bathroom in the building housing the residential care facility for children shall accommodate the number of children at the facility and have– (a) at least one toilet and bathroom facility for every eight residents, located in areas convenient to living areas. Urinals may be substituted for not more than half the required number of toilets for male residents; and (b) separate staff bathroom, where possible. (6) The facility shall have sufficient indoor and outdoor playing space for the children that ensure the safety and comfort of children while undertaking appropriate games and activities. Social Service Agencies 87 (7) The playground at the residential care facility for children shall have the following features– (a) child-safe barriers for the protection of children from traffic, bodies of water, gullies, drains, or other similar physical hazards; (b) adequate fencing with appropriate child-proof locks; (c) enough space for each child to play in safety and comfort; (d) shady areas to protect children from the sun, wind and rain; (e) appropriate lawns of soft grass, or areas covered with soft sand, where children may climb on swings and other similar play equipment and jump therefrom to the ground; (f) hard areas where children may ride their toys; (g) safe and sturdy play equipment with no protruding nails, any loose features, or other similar characteristics which pose a danger to the safety of the children; (h) a clean environment free from broken bottles, holes, poisonous plants and other hazards which pose a danger to the safety of the children; and (i) a design that ensures effective supervision of the children at all times by the operator, provider, assistants or members of staff. (8) The Ministry shall inspect the facility of every applicant to ensure that the minimum requirements of the physical environment 88 Social Service Agencies at a residential care facility for children comply with the provisions of these Regulations before the issue of a licence. SUB-PART C