Illinois Administrative Code
Title 89 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Part 407 - LICENSING STANDARDS FOR DAY CARE CENTERS
Subpart I - SEVERABILITY OF THIS PART
Appendix B - Equipment for Preschool Children
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES:
PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
This list of minimum equipment and supplies and their arrangement is not intended to define nor limit any program's philosophical approach. A minimum quantity and variety of materials is required to stimulate the development of preschool children. This list takes into account the following characteristics of preschool children:
* short attention span
* needs for active and quiet play over a short time period
* need to learn through concrete activities
Unless otherwise noted, the same item may fit into more than one category. For example, a particular cognitive game may be acceptable under the "Small Muscle" category or the "Cognitive" category. A center may choose under which category to count an item, but may not count an item under more than one category.
Numbers of children refer to licensed capacity, not enrollment or attendance.
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CATEGORY |
ITEM/AMOUNT |
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FURNITURE |
1) Tables and Chairs - Sufficient tables and chairs with backs for the children (one chair per child, no folding chairs), plus chairs with backs for staff. 2) One cot per child for programs that operate at least 5 hours per day. 3) One cot with blanket (for ill child). 4) Shelving - Low open shelves and bookcases with one foot of shelving per child. 5) Personal Storage Space - Individual spaces for coats, boots and personal items. 6) Area rug or carpeting for each group, or individual carpet squares or cushions for each child to sit on. |
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LARGE MUSCLE - INDOORS |
1) Building Blocks - 20 large, durable building blocks per each group of 10 or fewer children. 2) Large-Muscle Equipment - 2 pieces of durable large-muscle equipment for every group of 10 or fewer children; 3 pieces for groups of 11 to 20 children. Examples include a climber, rocking boat, tunnel, walking plank, riding toys. |
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SMALL MUSCLE |
1) Small Blocks - Small blocks, including blocks that grip or lock together and other blocks that can be used for building. At least 100 pieces per group of 10 or fewer children, plus 10 blocks per child for each child over 10 children. 2) Manipulative Toys - One toy for every 3 children. Examples include pegboards with pegs, bead and string sets, nesting blocks. 3) Art Materials - A sufficient supply of art materials so that each child can participate daily, including: clay or other molding material; tempera paints with paint brushes and paper; finger paints (non-toxic) with paper; paper, paste, blunt scissors and crayons; collage materials; and aprons or smocks. 4) Easels - Two easels or one double easel for each group of 20 or fewer children. 5) Puzzles - One puzzle for every 2 children. |
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SOCIAL/EXPRESSIVE/LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT |
1) Dramatic Play - At least 6 sets of equipment plus accessories usable for dramatic/pretend play for a group of 10 or fewer children. At least 9 sets for a group of 11 to 20 children. More than one of the same set may be included in the number provided. Each set should have adequate pieces for use by at least 3 children at once. Some examples of sets are: Doll bed with dolls Kitchen sets (stove and/or sink and/or refrigerator and/or cupboard) with pots, pans, dishes, etc. At least 5 transportation toys of any size, with pretend road, buildings, etc. (May be blocks) Puppet stage with puppets Sand or water table (dish pans are acceptable) with accessories (scoops, buckets, etc.) Dress-up clothes hung on safe hooks or in a wardrobe, mirror, etc. 2) Music Items Rhythm band or other group of instruments to be played by children (one instrument for every 2 children). One record player, cassette player or compact disc player per group, with at least 10 records, cassettes or compact disks. 3) Flannel Board/Velcro Board - One board per group, with accessories. 4) Language Development Pictures. |
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COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT |
1) Science Items - Five science items, such as magnets, magnifying glasses, pets, plants, etc., per group of 10 or fewer children, plus one for every 2 children in groups larger than 10. 2) Books - At least 20 books per group of 10 or fewer children, plus 2 books per child for groups larger than 10. All books need not be displayed at all times; child care staff may rotate books on display. 3) Cognitive Games - Five cognitive games to teach number concepts, letter, shape, size and color concepts per group of 10 or fewer children, plus one game for every 2 children in groups larger than 10. |
LARGE MUSCLE - OUTDOORS
In the following chart, the numbers of children refer to 1/4 of the center's licensed capacity OR the number of children who use the playground at any one time, whichever is greater. Playgrounds are required to accommodate at least 1/4 of the center's licensed capacity. However, some playgrounds are big enough to accommodate more than 1/4 of the licensed capacity. A center licensed for 40 children with a playground that can accommodate 10 children would need enough equipment for 10 children, while a center licensed for 40 children with a large playground that all 40 children use at once would need adequate equipment for 40 children.
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LARGE EQUIPMENT |
MEDIUM EQUIPMENT |
SMALL EQUIPMENT |
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Two items from this column for every 20 or fewer children |
Plus |
One item from this column for every 10 or fewer children |
Plus |
One item from this column for every 7 or fewer children |
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climber* slide sand box building blocks/ pieces (set of 40 large blocks) water play equipment (water trough, hose, sprinkler, etc.) |
wheel toy (tricycle, wagon, etc.) balance beam tunnel rocking boat etc. |
ball jump rope hula hoop etc. |
* On a large climber with several sections, each section counts as one item.
EXAMPLE: A center with 37 children using the playground at the same time would require: 4 items from the large equipment column; 4 items from the medium equipment column; and 6 items from the small equipment column.
NOTE: Indoor large muscle equipment may also be counted as outdoor equipment if it is available outdoors when the children are outdoors.
Programs that operate for 3 hours per day or less and provide outdoor play, programs that carry equipment to a remote outdoor play area and programs with playgrounds serving fewer than 20 children may substitute for the large equipment as follows: one medium equipment item for every 3 children, plus one small equipment item for every 7 children OR one small equipment item for each child.
