Criterion PF209
Parts of the home used by children have:
lighting (natural or artificial) that is appropriate to the activities offered or purpose of each room
ventilation (natural or mechanical) that allows sufficient fresh air to circulate (particularly in sanitary and sleep areas) and
a safe and effective means of maintaining a comfortable room temperature.
Guidance
How to show you are complying
You need to make sure areas of the home used by children are well-lit and properly ventilated. You also need to be able to maintain a comfortable room temperature.
Lighting
Lighting, whether natural or artificial must be suitable for the activities taking place or the intended purpose of each room. Where artificial lighting is used, you should ensure it is positioned and selected to suit the function of the space. For example, brighter lighting in activity areas and softer lighting in sleep rooms.
Ventilation
Spaces within buildings need enough ventilation to circulate fresh air for the number of people and their activities and keep everyone healthy and comfortable.
All areas used by children must allow for adequate circulation of fresh air to maintain good air quality and comfort within play and learning spaces and particularly in sanitary and sleep areas.
Ventilation can be achieved through natural methods (for example, opening windows and doors) or by using mechanical systems. Mechanical ventilation should operate whenever children are present. Natural ventilation should also be actively used during attendance by opening windows and doors on opposite sides of the room to allow cross-ventilation. Ventilation systems must be appropriate for the size and purpose of the room and maintained to ensure consistent airflow and good air quality.
Comfortable room temperature
A safe and effective system must be in place to maintain a comfortable room temperature while children are present in the home. This means the educator will need to be able to effectively heat rooms in the building used by children and if necessary to cool them down. This includes sleep spaces and bathrooms.
In some parts of New Zealand, temperatures are higher or lower than in others. The system or systems that educators choose should reflect the requirements of their area.
There are a range of options to control room temperature, but safety of children is paramount. You need to make sure heating systems do not pose a risk of burns or injury.
WorkSafe provides guidance on thermal comfort ranges and is linked in our tools section.
Further guidance on providing a comfortable of no lower than 18 degrees Celsius can be found on HS215 Room temperature.
When assessing whether you comply with PF209
Questions we are likely to ask
What steps can you take if the room temperature gets too hot or cold to make it a comfortable temperature?
How do you ensure fresh air circulates?
We are likely to look at, measure or count
How the home is lit and that the lighting is suitable for the activity happening in the space (for example windows, ceiling lights, lamps, dimmable fixtures).
How the home provides ventilation (for example, windows that open, type of mechanical ventilation systems such as extractor fans, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units.
The type of systems used to maintain comfort the home uses (for example, air conditioners, heat pumps, radiators, under floor heating).
The tools below are here to support you, but you do not have to use them. You can use other tools or methods that work better for your home.
Children’s wellbeing and learning are directly influenced by the quality of their physical environment.
Appropriate lighting, ventilation, and temperature help create safe, comfortable, and calm spaces for learning, rest, and play.