PF105 Flooring

# Floor surfaces are durable, safe, and suitable for the range of activities to be carried out at the service (including wet and messy play) and can easily be kept clean.

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You must choose floor surfaces that are safe, durable, and easy to clean to suit the range of activities in your service.

Using a mix of flooring types helps keep spaces suitable for different kinds of play and learning. Consider how much time children spend on the floor when choosing materials. Infants benefit from experiencing different textures, so using different flooring types can support their development.

Here are some examples:

• carpet works well in quiet areas like reading or block play

• mats are easy to move and clean and help create flexible learning spaces. Use items such as semi-permanent tape or rug grips to keep them safely in place

• hard surfaces like wood, vinyl, tiles, or polished concrete are ideal for messy play and dining spaces

• coved vinyl (which curves slightly up the wall) is best for bathrooms, laundry and kitchens, as it is easier to clean and more hygienic because it removes joins where dirt can build up.

Some councils may require vinyl flooring in toilets and kitchens to extend 75mm up the wall. Check with your local authority to confirm what’s needed in your area.