Code of Maine Rules
05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL
Chapter 124 - BASIC APPROVAL STANDARDS: PUBLIC PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
Section 071-124-9 - SCHOOL FACILITIES

Universal Citation: 05 ME Code Rules ยง 071-124-9

Current through 2024-13, March 27, 2024

9.01 Indoor: Minimum requirement shall be 35 square feet per child. Areas not to be calculated as usable space include but are not limited to: hallways, lockers, cubbies, door swings, closets, supply cabinets, corridors, bathrooms, teacher spaces, food preparation areas and offices.

A. All classroom spaces must be accessible to all children, including children with disabilities.

B. There shall be a water source in the classroom for hand washing, and drinking water is readily available to children throughout the day.

C. The indoor environment shall be designed so staff can supervise children by sight and sound at all times. Supervision for short intervals by sound is permissible, as long as teachers check frequently on children who are out of sight (e.g., independent toileting).

D. Toilets, accessible for use by all participating children, must be within 40 feet of the indoor areas that children use. It is preferable to have them within the classroom.

E. Electrical outlets in public preschool classrooms shall be protected by safety caps, plugs or other means.

F. Natural light must be present in any classroom used for four-year-old program activities.

G. Easily accessible and individual space shall be made available for children's outside clothing and personal possessions.

9.02 Outdoor: The program must have access to an outdoor play area with at least 75 square feet of usable space per child and with equipment of a size suitable to the age and needs of four-year-old children as dictated by the National Safety Standards for playgrounds in public schools.

A. The outdoor play area must be protected by fences or natural barriers.

B. Surfaces used under climbers, swings and at the bottom of slides are energy-absorbing materials such as mulch, sand or bark. Concrete or asphalt shall not be used.

C. Outdoor play areas provide both shade and sun.

D. There are established protocols for emergencies.

E. The playground areas and equipment are accessible to all children.

F. Preschool classrooms schedule outdoor time by themselves, with other preschool classrooms, or with kindergarten children.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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