Ofsted Nursery Space Requirements
Nursery Building Ratio Calculator
Use this simple Ofsted nursery space requirements calculator to work out the minimum space you need for the specified amount of children (as per OFSTED regulations).
See below for more rules on your minimum Ofsted nursery space requirements.
Nursery Building Regulations
Ofsted nursery space requirements
There are minimum Ofsted nursery space requirements that providers must adhered to. These are for indoor areas and can be found in the EYFS Statutory Framework.
Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, early years settings must have a minimum space per child in their care.
“Providers must meet the following indoor space requirements where indoor activity in a building(s) forms the main part of (or is integral) to the provision:
- Children under two years: 3.5m² per child
- Two-year-olds: 2.5m² per child
- Children aged three to five years: 2.3m² per child
These calculations should be based on the net or useable areas of the rooms used by the children, not including storage areas, thoroughfares, dedicated staff areas, cloakrooms, utility rooms, kitchens, and toilets.
Where the space standards are applied, providers cannot increase the number of children on roll because they additionally use an outside area. Forest and other exclusively (or almost exclusively) outdoor provision is not required to meet the space standards above, as long as children’s needs can be met. For this kind of provision, indoor space requirements can be used as a guide for the minimum area needed.”EYFS Framework – Page 35.
Other Nursery Building Regulations
General Safety:
Providers must ensure that their premises, including overall floor space and outdoor spaces, are fit for purpose and suitable for the age of children cared for and the activities provided on the premises. Providers must comply with requirements of health and safety legislation.
Fire Safety:
Providers must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children, staff and others on the premises in the case of fire or any other emergency, and must have an emergency evacuation procedure. Providers must have appropriate fire detection and control equipment (for example, fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire blankets and/or fire extinguishers) which is in working order. Fire exits must be clearly identifiable, and fire doors must be free of obstruction and easily opened from the inside.
Smoking and Vaping
Providers must not allow smoking in or on the premises when children are present or about to be present. Staff should not vape or use e-cigarettes when children are present and providers should consider Public Health England advice on their use in public places and workplaces.
Outdoor Area
Providers must provide access to an outdoor play area or, if that is not possible, ensure that outdoor activities are planned and taken on a daily basis (unless circumstances make this inappropriate, for example unsafe weather conditions).
Baby Rooms
Except in childminding settings, there should be a separate baby room for children under the age of two. However, providers must ensure that children in a baby room have contact with older children and are moved into the older age group when appropriate.
Toilets and hand basins
Providers must ensure there is an adequate number of toilets and hand basins available. Except in childminding settings, there should usually be separate toilet facilities for adults. Providers must ensure there are suitable hygienic changing facilities for changing any children who are in nappies and providers should ensure that an adequate supply of clean bedding, towels, spare clothes and any other necessary items is always available.
Parents area and Staff room
Providers must also ensure that there is an area where staff may talk to parents and/or carers confidentially, as well as an area in group settings for staff to take breaks away from areas being used by children.
Visitors
Providers must take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised persons entering the premises, and have an agreed procedure for checking the identity of visitors. Providers must consider what additional measures are necessary when children stay overnight.
Insurance
Providers must carry the appropriate insurance (e.g. public liability insurance) to cover all premises from which they provide childcare or childminding.